California 2025: Random Weekend Trips
The San Francisco Bay Area offers a vibrant tapestry of activities catering to a wide range of interests, from outdoor adventures and cultural explorations to family-friendly fun and unique experiences. Precisely why even after 30 years of living here, we have not visited so many of them (most notably Alcatraz). Earlier this year we decided to check one off the our to-do list.
CHARLES SCHULZ MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER
The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, located in Santa Rosa, California, is dedicated to the life and art of Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the beloved Peanuts comic strip. Schulz lived and worked in Santa Rosa for over 40 years, making the museum a fitting tribute to his lasting legacy.
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge - we always chose to take this route when going to the Santa Rosa area. The marshland is very soothing to my soul.
The "wall of Charlie Brown and Lucy" at the Charles M. Schulz Museum, more accurately known as the Peanuts Tile Mural, is composed of 3,588 individual Peanuts comic strips printed on ceramic tiles. These tiles combine to form a larger image of Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown.
The Schulz Museum is part of a larger complex dedicated to Peanuts fun. Across the street, visitors can enjoy ice skating at Snoopy's Home Ice (Redwood Empire Ice Arena), grab a bite at the Warm Puppy Café, and find exclusive merchandise at Snoopy's Gallery & Gift Shop.
PACIFICA & HALF MOON BAY
One day in April our itchy feet wanted to go back to Pacifica, which is a good place to get some Vitamin Sea. And since we were going to go there we might as well check one off the to-do list. What is it you ask? Well, it's to eat at Taco Bell by the beach. The Taco Bell Cantina in Pacifica, California, stands out as a unique and popular destination within the Taco Bell chain. Situated directly on Linda Mar Beach, it offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and a distinct dining experience unlike a typical Taco Bell.
The deck faces the beach.
In order to burn the calories we just ingested, we thought a walk by/on the beach was mandatory. We found ourselves in nearby El Granada, a suburban village in the coastal area of San Mateo County. To be honest, I haven't heard of this name before, although I had been here a few times. Only after checking my photos did I notice that Google had tagged them under El Granada.
Then I noticed this eye-catching structure along Miramar Beach (Half Moon Bay), which turned out to be Ocean Studio. This is what I found on the web about it: Ocean Studio in Miramar Beach, Half Moon Bay, California, is an artistic space founded by Michael Powers, a photographer, filmmaker, and artist. It's an alliance of artists who collaborate to explore and celebrate the natural world through various creative mediums. Michael Powers, also known for his work with the Tsunami Rangers, established Ocean Studio as a place for adventure photography, writing, and filmmaking. You can find Ocean Studio art prints and canvases, including a print of the "Ocean Studio at Miramar Beach".
I have another post about weekend trips around here before I launch another series.
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge - we always chose to take this route when going to the Santa Rosa area. The marshland is very soothing to my soul.
The "wall of Charlie Brown and Lucy" at the Charles M. Schulz Museum, more accurately known as the Peanuts Tile Mural, is composed of 3,588 individual Peanuts comic strips printed on ceramic tiles. These tiles combine to form a larger image of Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown.
The Schulz Museum is part of a larger complex dedicated to Peanuts fun. Across the street, visitors can enjoy ice skating at Snoopy's Home Ice (Redwood Empire Ice Arena), grab a bite at the Warm Puppy Café, and find exclusive merchandise at Snoopy's Gallery & Gift Shop.
PACIFICA & HALF MOON BAY
One day in April our itchy feet wanted to go back to Pacifica, which is a good place to get some Vitamin Sea. And since we were going to go there we might as well check one off the to-do list. What is it you ask? Well, it's to eat at Taco Bell by the beach. The Taco Bell Cantina in Pacifica, California, stands out as a unique and popular destination within the Taco Bell chain. Situated directly on Linda Mar Beach, it offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and a distinct dining experience unlike a typical Taco Bell.
The deck faces the beach.
In order to burn the calories we just ingested, we thought a walk by/on the beach was mandatory. We found ourselves in nearby El Granada, a suburban village in the coastal area of San Mateo County. To be honest, I haven't heard of this name before, although I had been here a few times. Only after checking my photos did I notice that Google had tagged them under El Granada.
Then I noticed this eye-catching structure along Miramar Beach (Half Moon Bay), which turned out to be Ocean Studio. This is what I found on the web about it: Ocean Studio in Miramar Beach, Half Moon Bay, California, is an artistic space founded by Michael Powers, a photographer, filmmaker, and artist. It's an alliance of artists who collaborate to explore and celebrate the natural world through various creative mediums. Michael Powers, also known for his work with the Tsunami Rangers, established Ocean Studio as a place for adventure photography, writing, and filmmaking. You can find Ocean Studio art prints and canvases, including a print of the "Ocean Studio at Miramar Beach".
I have another post about weekend trips around here before I launch another series.
Great photos! What an interesting day you had.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2025/08/rushnyky-embroidery-from-ukraine.html
Oh, we are great fans of Mr. Schulz and his Peanuts.You are invited to share this wonderful Post at
ReplyDeleteMosaicMonday.
Looking forward to ’seeing’ you!
S
We lived in Northern Marin for almost 4 years before the pandemic. Fortunately, made it home to Honolulu before everything shut down. It was a beautiful area to live and to appreciate. Although I did get homesick for Hawaii. But now whenever I see the Golden gate bridge or the Marin headlands or yes Santa Rosa, I feel nostallgic for that too. Thanks for sharing. Aloha!
ReplyDeleteSchulz Museum would be on my list to see! I've been to Half Moon Bay,
ReplyDeletei grew up on charlie brown, as did my children, still love the cartoons
ReplyDeleteOcean studio is an amazing and intriguing place. And Charles Schulz museum must be funny and interesting to visit. Thanks for all these pictures
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.
ReplyDeleteYou have more interesting weekend trips than we do.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with good ol' Charlie Brown and still love him.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a fun day and the scenery is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and narration!
ReplyDeleteOcean Studio looks amazing. What a fun find! Nice to have so much to do and see close to home.
ReplyDeleteHappy trails! Looks like you had fun at the Ocean Studio.
ReplyDeleteI've read about Ocean Studio, an interesting place. I grew up in the SF area, and we went to Half Moon Bay a few times a year. Definitely at Halloween to pick pumpkins. That was long ago, when they really grew in the fields and you'd cut them off the vines!
ReplyDelete