The Very Best of the Bay

Lauren BonneyTHE SANTA CLARAMay 22, 2014The end of the quarter is rapidly approaching and so is the looming pressure of finals.Thankfully, the great weather and Memorial Day weekend offer plenty of opportunities to take advantage of the many places around the area that allow you to be creative, expand your mind, entertain yourself and, of course, have some great gastronomical adventures.This week’s piece will be a little different, seeing as it is my last. I will be graduating at the end of the quarter and this is my farewell. So here are some of my favorite places to visit around the area.Morning activities can be some of the most rewarding and rejuvenating experiences. I love going for morning hikes or walks around the area. You don’t have to look very far for some great trails – try the Marin Headlands, Mount Diablo or Muir Woods. After your hike, stop by a local farmer’s market and pick up some fresh fruits and veggies for the week. Maybe even learn how to make an exciting new dish with your purchases.

My favorite place in the bay to visit on the weekends is San Francisco. Not only is it home to my favorite team – Go Giants! – but it has some of the best artistic, scientific and cultural experiences around, like Golden Gate Park. Also, a day at the beach does wonders for your stress levels. My beach of choice is Carmel Beach. It’s dog friendly and gorgeous on any day.The 1958 film “Auntie Mame” sums up my philosophy, “Live! Life’s a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!”So live! Take a risk. Step out of your comfort zone.Try new things. There is so much that the area has to offer. It would be a shame if you didn’t get off your couch and do, see and experience as much as you can. Watch the ballet, try that new Ethiopian restaurant or pelt your friends with paintballs.Don’t starve yourself on life experiences and taste what you can at life’s all-you-can-eat buffet. Contact Lauren Bonney at lbonney@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.