Sunday, September 11, 2011

Shakespeare Festival (Presidio) - San Francisco, CA



The Presidio of San Francisco (originally, El Presidio Real de San Francisco or The Royal Fortress of Saint Francis) is a park and former military base on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

In 1996, the United States Congress created the Presidio Trust to oversee and manage the interior 80% of the park's lands, with the National Park Service managing the coastal 20%. In a first-of-its-kind structure, Congress mandated that the Presidio Trust make the Presidio financially self-sufficient by 2013, which it achieved eight years ahead of the scheduled deadline.

The park is characterized by many wooded areas, hills, and scenic vistas overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It was recognized as a California Historical Landmark in 1933 and as a National Historic Landmark in 1962.
We met up with Auntie Angelique for the Shakespeare play, Cymbeline. Although it was crowded, it was a very peaceful crowd and a welcoming environment with absolutely beautiful weather. We stayed for several hours.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Ryder Park - San Mateo, CA

Shoreline Park is one of San Mateo’s newest parks – comprised of two parts – Ryder Park and Seal Point Park – it offers an abundance of open space and scenic views of the San Francisco Bay. 
Seal Point Park
This park has a three acre off-leash dog park and many walking and biking paths that wander through natural and restored habitats. Keep your eyes open when on the trails because Seal Point Park is home to many types of native wildlife. The park also has a natural stairway as well as kayak and wind-surf launch areas.

Ryder Park & Aquatic Playground
Our renovated water feature and creative play areas make Ryder Park a perfect outing for the family. **The water play area is open seven days a week from May 25 – October 1, 11am – 4pm. The park also has beautiful pathways landscaped with native vegetation – perfect for native gardening ideas in your own backyard. Ryder Park also has a barbeque and picnic area. It is a popular spot, so if you are planning an event, be sure to reserve your picnic area early.

We spent several hours at just Ryder Park before heading to the Bay Trail. Looking Northwest you can see planes flying over Coyote Point Marina and landing at SFO.