Chanterria McGilbra’s to-do list
Sunday drive: “Point Reyes Seashore has amazing roads to drive early in the morning,” says McGilbra, who likes to pull over in Point Reyes Station for breakfast. “I continue driving through Nicasio Valley, stopping for lunch at Rancho Nicasio and enjoying the amazing music during the summer months.”
Point Reyes Lighthouse: Get your daily steps in — 308, to be exact — and access the Point Reyes Lighthouse. The whale migration season, typically during the first few months of the year, is an especially popular time to visit. Go early in the day to avoid crowds or to stake your viewing spot. “And come bundled up. You’re literally unprotected, facing the Pacific Ocean.” Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. www.nps.gov Pelican Inn: “It’s a great place for some fish and chips,” she says. “It is a real British pub. They’ve got a great back patio, and they’ve got this front room where you can play darts that’s more of the bar area. When it’s nice out, people sit out on the grass and have a picnic.” (The Tudor-style property includes seven guest rooms.) 10 Pacific Way, Muir Beach. (415) 3836000. www.pelicaninn.com Bear Valley Visitor Center: The “geeky, quirky, tree-hugging” side of McGilbra is drawn to the Bear Valley Visitor Center. In addition to providing an overview of Point Reyes National Seashore, the center is “super cool,” she says. “You can go in and see taxidermy of the animals that are found in the area. It’s like a little museum. And what I like most is if it’s slow day, you can go to the rangers working at the front desk and ask to watch a film about Point Reyes. It gives you the full background about the area.” Bear Valley Road, Olema. (415) 464-5100. www.nps.gov
The Dipsea Trail: The whole trail — stretching from Muir Woods to Stinson Beach — is about 10 miles, says McGilbra. But if you start along Stinson Beach, for the first few miles, “most of the trail is coastal, so it’s a beautiful hike,” she notes.
Servino Ristorante: “Angelo (Servino) is the unofficial mayor of Tiburon,” says McGilbra of the restaurant’s owner. “They have a great bar area, deck seating and live music, which is really fun.” The cuisine is “Italian —
real Italian, not American-fusionItalian.” 9 Main St., Tiburon. (415) 435-2676. www.servino.com