outdoors

Neighborliness reaches new musical heights this Sunday in Napa. The 5th Annual Porchfest, a non-stop outdoor concert from noon to 6 takes place on 50 porches most within walking distance of each other. It’s a music sampler for all kinds of tastes –bluegrass, jazz, country, surf, new wave (is it still new after all these […]

Bay seniors can invite themselves to penultimate picnics in vineyards, ranches, even sea caves. Sit with dozens of guests – chefs, farmers, cheese producers, vintners – at a long narrow table. Outstanding in the Field, are the impresarios behind these al fresco feasts. They have been holding these events since 2000. Many of this year’s […]

Bay seniors’ meteorological prayers were answered with this month’s downpours. A side benefit is the sudden reappearance of gushing waterfalls in our parks. The invaluable Chronicle outdoors writer Tom Stienstra awards Silver Falls in Big Basin Redwoods his top recommendation: “Clear water pours over golden sandstone…then what looks like an Aztec temple and feeds through […]

Bay seniors interested in cultural activities but not museum mobs? Above Geyeserville the voluptuous 100 acre Oliver Ranch is studded with 18 site specific works by Andy Goldsworthy, Richard Serra and Bruce Nauman among others. The hitch is that only organized groups are allowed. 2-hour tours will be held only from April 15 to June 1 […]

Bay seniors who want to see how fast farm-to-table meals can be are encouraged to make reservations at the Della Fattoria Family Ranch in Petaluma. Their feast-like repasts are served outdoors on a hand-made 25 foot long Tamarack table under a massive oak in the middle of a working farm. Fresh breads are baked in […]