Idyllic Weekend Ideas... Island hopping.

Well, yesterday AND today are officially Spare The Air days in the SF Bay Area. (Spare the Air Day means free public transit in most of the Bay). And that got me to thinking. And I thunk whilest I was thinking, "I wonder if that means cable cars are free also?" The famous, overpriced, tourist-people-movers are usually $5 each ride.

And whilest I thunk about that, I also started thinking about other touristy things that locals don't do much. If you are looking to me for ideas of what to do with your weekend, then that's your first sign of trouble. If you still want some of my personal ideas, then read on my friend, read on.

Alcatraz is a place we all know and love, we see it poised and perched smack in the middle of the bay. But do us locals really know Alcatraz? Go visit, it's an interesting trip that tourists enjoy for a reason.

Angel Island is another great destination. With miles of hiking and 740 acres of prestine land, you can truly getaway without having to get away. Get it? There is also a lot of history to Angel Island, especially Asian immigrants that first came through here to the US. A beautiful ferry ride over and great place to spend some down time.

The ferry that goes to Angel Island also goes to Tiburon. Sure you prolly have been to Sausalito, but when was the last time your heels were placed firmly in Tiburon? Ah-ha. There you go.

Oh wait, whatsthatyousay? Not exotic enough for you? What. I'm not a travel guide, and my advice is free. So, you get what you pay for. But here's another spot likely to have never found your radar, The Channel Islands.

Can you name all five Islands? Sure, easy: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara. All off the (oft tar-ridden) coast of the lovely Santa Barbara. Are you impressed that I could recite those from memory? Well, the dorms at UC Santa Barbara borrow their names from these same said islands. So most UCSB folk prolly have them stored in their subconscious. Which is the same state in which many of the students spend most of their awake moments.

Alright, if you're short of cash here's a thing. SF Citysearch is giving award reward money for reviews. So post 5 reviews for a chance to win some cheddar ($50-75). The comparison shop site Pricegrabber also offers $5 per review for many products, with a limit of like 3 different reviews per person per month.

Enjoy the weekend. Have a better one. Cheers.
photo credits: Angel Island from angelisland.org, Alcatraz from sanfrancisco.citysearch.com, view of SF from Tiburon from the Town of Tiburon photo gallery.