Point Reyes Weekend

You Mon Tsang August 29th, 2012

Want to be inspired by other people’s sand sculptures and sand castles?  Better yet, want to give it a try yourself?

Every year on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, the National Park Service hosts at Drake Beach a Sand Sculpture Contest.  It is really fun.  If you want to give it a go, I would advise that you bring tools to (1) move sand, (2) move water and (3) finely tune sand.

Facts for 2012:

• Event occurs on Sunday, Sept 2, 2012.
• Anyone can enter.
• Prizes awarded in each of several age and group catagories.
• Free to participants and spectators.
• Registration begins at 9:00 am at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center.
• Judging begins at 12:00 pm.
• Prizes awarded at 3:30 pm.

Categories include: Children (14 and under), Families, Adult Individuals, and Adult Groups. Three prizes will be awarded in each of those categories, along with prizes for the sculpture with the most recycled plastic included.

Photos of past winners at the National Park Service web site:

• Beach , Kids , Summer
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You Mon Tsang August 27th, 2009

For many in the Bay Area, the first day of school has already happened, but you can relive the summer this weekend as the Point Reyes Farmers Market has its first ever Kids & Families Day. This Saturday, August 29, head to Point Reyes Station for the freshest and most local produce as well as enjoy the special activities designed for the children.

9:30am-1pm: Music by Peter Franklin with child-size percussion instruments for all ages to play. Kids get involved in the music for the morning’s market, and dance and sing along to Peter!

1 am: Kids Cook with Jennifer Carden, author of Toddler Café. Jennifer engages kids in the fun of cooking. She teaches fast, healthy and fun ways to feed even the pickiest eater!

11:30am: Instrument-making with WM musician/author Bart Hopkins, in the Gallery, with Robin Goodfellow. Adults and kids alike will be welcome to try their hands at easy musical instrument making at this event taking place in the back room at Toby’s. The event celebrates the publication of Making Musical Instruments with Kids by West Marin author Bart Hopkin. Bart will be joined by one of the key contributors to the book, Robin Goodfellow.

• Farmers Market , Kids
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You Mon Tsang March 29th, 2009

Many outdoor adventures friends of mine slow down a bit when they have kids. And they don’t get to places like Point Reyes as often. But they’re missing out. There’s a lot to do here with kids; I’ve taken my child all around the peninsula. Yes, long hikes and mountain biking don’t work so well, but beaches and kayaks do. Every kid is different so you’ll have to make your own choices, but here are some adventures for your family to consider:

Bear Valley Visitor’s Center

• Charming indoor exhibit (with movie) that could distract children for 30-60 minutes. Gift shop warning…
• By the visitor’s center is the Earthquake Trail, which is flat and less than a mile but is very cool for learning about the 1906 earthquake
• The Kule Loklo trail (~1 mile) that takes you to a replica Coast Miwok Native American village.

Beaches

• Drake’s Beach has a small visitor’s center with an tiny exhibit as well as a cafe you can hang out if you need a break or a bite. The beach is also pretty fun to walk down.
• My favorite ocean beach for kids is Limantour, where the waves are less intense and the sand very soft.
• If you want a warmer and less intense Tomales Bay beach, try Hearts Desire Beach, which is cozy, gentle and charming
• For tide pooling, I go to Agate Beach in Bolinas.  I’ve had mixed luck, but when it’s good, it’s hours of fun. Check for low tides on our weather page.

Wildlife

• Elephants seals are a big favorite (winters at Chimey Rock)
• Whales require so much patience that I don’t take most adults, much less children
• The tule elk are pretty cool; you can often see them from the car and at Pierce Point, where they reside, there is a cool old ranch that kids can explore
• On warm spring and summer days, Audubon Canyon Ranch (near Bolinas) offers short hikes, cool overviews, bright white birds and a pond full of newts and tadpoles

Point Reyes Lighthouse

• The lighthouse is great and the 300+ steps are challenging for the kids but doable. My kid did it by himself at 6. I carried him when he was two. Wind and fog can make this trip a real adventure! Call the ranger station there ahead of time to ask about conditions: (415) 669-1534

Kayaking

• On calm days, Tomales Bay is an easy kayak trip. Pack water and a good picnic and head for a beach to stretch your legs. Check the lodging and resources page for links to local kayak rentals.

Food

I’ve had luck with kid food in Point Reyes here:

• Pine Cone Diner (diner)
• Cafe Reyes (pizza and Mexican)
• Tony’s Seafood (on way to Marshall)
• Station Cafe

I will update this post with any of your suggestions.  So please suggest away…

• Beach , Kids
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You Mon Tsang June 5th, 2008

[Note: Click for latest Western Weekend info]

Western Weekend takes the ranching history of the area and adds a bit of the quirkiness of the residents of the area. Take a look at my previous post on Western Weekend. Head to the parade, which will start at noon on Sunday, June 8th.

The schedule is further below…

Photo by David Wasley

Photo by David Wasley

Photo by David Wasley

Western Weekend Parade, Pt Reyes Station, originally uploaded by CommandZed.

Friday, June 6
9:00 pm
Western Weekend Kick-off Party
at the Old Western Saloon, PRS. Pink Sabbath, Conjoined Twins Reunion Burlesque Review and Tinsletown Rebellion. $5-8, care to come clad in cowboy costume? or wearing your western threads? receive admission discount.

Saturday, June 7
10:00 am
Western Weekend Historic Tour with Dewey Livingston – registration required: 663-1158
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Synchrony In Motion ballroom lessons ,Dance Palace dancers incorporate styles of Ballroom and Latin Dance. Swing dance lesson/demonstration at 3 pm. free
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Synchrony In Motion performance , Dance Palace
7:00 pm
My Friend, My Horse
a documentary by John Korty. Two dozen riders of all ages share their experience and insight into the relationships possible between animals and humans at Take 2 Cinema, 54 B Street, PRS, 663-1932
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Country/Western dance lessons, Dance Palace
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Western Weekend Queen’s Dance , Dance Palace Music by Jenny Kerr multi-instrumentalist, a native of Northern California, known for her roots in traditional Americana: country, blues, folk and rock, will begin at 8 pm, following a Western County Dance lesson at 7 pm. The crowning of Western Weekend Queen, Lianne Nunes’ is scheduled for 9 pm. General admission is ($15, teens are $5, seniors and under 12 are free.

Sunday, June 8
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Parade entry sign-in C street at Hwy 1
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Silent Auction, Dance Palace
Over 200 items will be auctioned off including overnights stays at Pelican Inn, Sorenson’s Resort, Vichy Springs, Terri’s Homestaymeals, tickets to events, fine arts, crafts, expert services, gift certificates, and local wares.
12:00 pm – 1:00 ish
59th Western Weekend Parade on Main Street
1:00 ish – 3:00 pm
Marin Farm Bureau & Organics BBQ At Toby’s, sponsored by Marin County Farm Bureau and Marin Organic
1:00 pm – 3:00 ish
Kevin Russell and Moonlight Rodeo – a well-known Sonoma county picker, singer and songwriter is joined by one of his many bands, a five piece acoustic-electric band that plays western swing, alt-country, blues & rock music. Our thanks to music sponsors: Marin Farm Bureau, WM Chamber of Commerce, WM Lions Foundation, and WM Rotary Club
1:00 ish
West Marin Senior Services 9th Annual Chili-Cornbread/Pie Cook-off at Toby’s
2:00 ish
Raffle Winners Announced, Parade Prizes Awarded at Toby’s
the Halleck Creek Cow Flop Drop at Toby’s
7:00
My Friend, My Horse: a documentary by John Korty. Two dozen riders of all ages share their experience and insight into the relationships possible between animals and humans at Take 2 Cinema, 54 B Street, PRS, 663-1932

Sunday, June 8
Music at the Old Western Saloon:
1:00 – 5:00 pm – Billy Boys
5:00 – 6:30 ish – Tony MeGee
7:00 – Sweet Baby J

Updated Schedule courtesy of Bodega Bay Navigator via Kelly at Olema Cottages

• Kids , Local Scene , Summer
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You Mon Tsang June 6th, 2007

Twice already this year, we have taken trips to Audubon Canyon Ranch. In the mix were boys between the ages of 6 and 8. During the spring and summer seasons, the highlight is watching the snowy egrets and great blue herons nest high up in the trees.

Photo by Michael Harrold

The birds are a beautiful sight: impossibly white against the lush green. They swoop from their nests every so often and it is a wonder that these gangly creatures can fly.

Later in the season (July if I remember from last year), the chicks also attempt to take flight.

The preserve is well run, with well-marked paths, places to picnic, lots of friendly and knowledgeable volunteer docents, and several well-equipped lookouts.

Photo by Michael Harrold

Photo by Michael Fitzhugh

The boys really enjoyed the ponds, where they can take nets and fish newts, tadpoles and bugs out of the pond water into buckets where they can take a closer look. The hunter instinct is strong in boys; they could have stayed at the ponds for hours.

Photo by Michael Harrold

Photo by Michael Harrold

For those interested in birds, a nice quiet hike or have some kids to distract, this is a recommended stop in West Marin.

Map of Location | Web Site for Audubon Canyon Ranch

Notes:
Good for Kids
Birding
Hiking
Hands-On
No Fee, but Donation Request

• Hiking , Kids , Spring , Summer , Wildlife
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You Mon Tsang May 30th, 2007

[Note: the 2009 Western Weekend is scheduled for the weekend of June 6 / 7.]

Western Weekend Parade, Pt Reyes Station, originally uploaded by CommandZed.

Western Weekend is a great time to get a taste of the local scene in West Marin, especially the parade the goes through Point Reyes Station. In 2007, the parade is scheduled to go through town on Sunday, June 3 from 11am to 1pm.

Expect to see everything from funky art floats to tractor displays. It is a real slice of West Marin.

Notes:
Good for Kids
Local Scene

These photos are from the 2006 parade taken by Zara Evens.

Western Weekend Parade, Pt Reyes Station, originally uploaded by CommandZed.

Western Weekend Parade, Pt Reyes Station, originally uploaded by CommandZed.

Western Weekend Parade, Pt Reyes Station, originally uploaded by CommandZed.

• July , Kids , Local Scene , Summer
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