Bay Area Backroads!

San Francisco is the second most visited city in the United States. The Golden Gate Bridge, Fishermen's Wharf, China Town, Haight/Ashbury, and Alcatraz, are just a few of the attractions bringing thousands of visitors daily to the Bay Area. Yet, some of the best sites are obscure. These are the Bay Area backroads; little known villages, beaches, wetlands, and lakes provide delight to those that dare to venture off the beaten path.

200 Miles North West of San Jose is the breathtaking marine county of Mendocino. Spread along the North Pacific Coast, Mendocino is dotted with elegant lighthouses, and revitalizing mini beaches. Most people visit Mendocino to enjoy whale-watching, good dining, or simply to vent the stress of Silicon Valley.

Snuggled between San Jose, Santa Clara, and Milpitas, is the oldest preserved town in the South Bay - Alviso! Once a thriving center for vagabonds, casinos, and other sins, Alviso remains relatively untouched by the encroaching development. It has a protected wetland, home to several species of birds and plants.

Please click on the thumbnail below to view the full-sized picture.