From Santa Cruz to the Haight, exploration is in order

By Sarah Clise

Trying to make the most of the sunshine while it is still here and you are not too bogged down with studying to enjoy it?

If so, there isn't a more convenient and eventful place to live. The Bay Area is full of outdoor adventures worth taking advantage of.

* On Campus

Santa Clara's campus is very conducive to summertime activities. Reading by the fountain outside of Benson Memorial Center or in the peaceful Mission Gardens will help you simultaneously get a tan and keep up with your studies.

The lawn in the middle of the Graham Complex is perfectly suited for games of Frisbee or for kicking around a soccer ball.

And don't miss playing a game of tennis at the courts behind Cowell Student Health Center or swimming a few laps in the Leavey Center pool before it gets too cold.

* Santana Row

Only five minutes south of campus sits the outdoor shopping and dining experience of Santana Row.

Shops like Diesel and Urban Outfitters are flanked by excellent restaurants such as Blowfish Sushi To Die For and Pizza Antica.

Every Sunday, a Farmers' Market is held on the outdoor courtyards, and events like the upcoming Italian Family Fiesta Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 occur nearly every weekend.

Even though the stores are a little pricey, window-shopping, eating and perhaps catching a movie at CineArts Century Theatres are easy, fun ways to spend a sunny afternoon.

* The Winchester Mystery House

While you are at Santana Row, check out the Winchester Mystery House on Winchester Boulevard.

You have probably heard of the creepy mansion or seen the signs for it around Santa Clara.

The house has 160 rooms and 47 fireplaces and was under construction for 38 years.

Allegedly haunted, this bizarre home will, at the very least, introduce you to entertaining stories and unbelievable architecture, if not a ghost or two.

* Santa Cruz

Traveling further from campus, you can cruise the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and experience the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster and the Boardwalk Grand Arcades.

Almost 30 miles of beach are available to explore, with opportunities for hiking, surfing, fishing, kayaking and camping.

Sunset State Beach and Manresa Uplands Campground are beautiful spots where you can pitch a tent and enjoy amazing views.

Check out www.bahiker.com for a long list of Bay Area campsites.

* San Francisco

Still find yourself bored on a sunny day? Spend some money on gas or a Caltrain ticket and head up to San Francisco. There you can mosey down Fisherman's Wharf and watch the sea lions while nibbling on delectable Ghirardelli chocolate.

For the truly adventurous Santa Claran, a tour of the notorious Alcatraz Island is just a ferry ride away.

If scary prisons aren't your style, Golden Gate Park offers more outdoor activities than you can do in one day, including scenic drives, hiking, bicycling and pedal boating.

Bigger than New York's Central Park, this 1017 acre stretch is home to the Japanese Tea Garden, de Young Museum, Conservatory of Flowers, Stow Lake, Spreckels Lake, Kezar Stadium and John F. Kennedy Drive. You might even find a herd of bison if you look hard enough.

For those more interested in culture, San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district lies adjacent to Golden Gate Park and is a tribute to the bohemian atmosphere of the '60s. While it has become increasingly mainstream, Haight Street still flourishes with eclectic shops and funky restaurants.

One of the most famous stores in the district is Amoeba Music, a giant record store with just about any genre of music you could think of.

San Francisco Chinatown is another district worth visiting before fall sets in.

By simply wandering around, you will find fish markets, fortune cookie makers and buildings decorated in ancient Chinese style, adorned with golden dragons.

If you are lucky you will visit an apothecary with products like deer antlers and herbs that have unpronounceable names.

Whether you visit Chinatown or simply head outside your dorm for a game of catch, there is no excuse to not to have fun in the sun while you still can.

Before the stress of studying and the chill of winter confine you to your room, go outside and enjoy all that this wonderful area has to offer.

Contact Sarah Clise at (408) 551- 1918 or sclise@scu.edu.