Bay Area Cave Hikes

If you consider yourself an outdoorsman/woman, and love to take a hike on California's hundreds of trails, then this should be right up your alley - a cave hike! If you've never explored the Bay Area's caves, spring is the perfect time to do it, before the temperatures get too hot. Thrillist ranks these caves as the coolest ones to take a hike through:

Sutro Baths Cave
San Francisco, CA
Distance from SF: 0 miles!
You can get your first cave fix right here in the 7x7. Head to Lands End to check out the ruins of Adolph Sutro’s former oceanside resort, the Sutro Baths. A climb down to sea level from the Lands End parking lot lets you explore a cave where you can scare yourself silly, meditate, or enjoy the occasional concert.

Vasco Caves
Near Livermore, CA
Distance from SF: 50 miles; 1 hour
Located in the foothills of Mount Diablo, the Vasco Caves complex features Indian rock art, endangered plant and animal species, and the largest golden eagle nesting site in the world. Guided tours are required and you can book one online for just $34 a pop.

Secret Cave
Point Reyes, CA
Distance from SF: 50 miles; 1.5 hours (plus a four-mile, round-trip hike)
A trip to Secret Cave starts with a drive to Point Reyes’s Limantour Beach. From there, hike two miles South to a rock arch that brings you to Sculptured Beach. The cave entrance is on your left just after the arch, and depending on the sand level, you can walk or a crawl in to view the amphitheater.

Elephant Cave
Point Reyes, CA
Distance from SF: 60 miles; 1.75 hours (plus a 3.5-mile, round-trip hike)
Start your journey at the McClure’s Beach trailhead and follow the path until you reach the beach. Then, take a left to walk south to Elephant Rock and the cave. To see how Elephant Rock got its name, walk past the cave area and take a look back.

NOTE: Both Point Reyes caves (Secret Cave and Elephant Cave) are blocked off by water except at the lowest tide levels. Consult tide tables closely before visiting. You can actually get trapped in Secret Cave, so be adventurous, but also don't be stupid and get yourself hurt. Also: water-safe clothing and water shoes are advised, as your cave explorations may look something like this.

Porter Caves/Empire Caves
Santa Cruz, CA
Distance from SF: 75 miles; 1.25 hours
The Porter or Empire Caves are a series of three underground caves located near Empire Grade in Santa Cruz. This beginner’s spelunking adventure starts with an easy climb down a ladder through a hole within a concrete block. If you don’t like creepy crawlies, take note that these caves are home to the rare Dollof cave spider and Empire Cave pseudoscorpion. Yes, pseudoscorpion. Evolution is weird.

Ixl Cave aka Hell Hole Cave
Santa Cruz, CA
Distance from SF: 75 miles; 1.25 hours
The advanced, 45min-long journey through Hell Hole Cave starts with a squeeze down a tight, 90ft descent. As you might guess, this one’s not for the claustrophobic. You’ll also need to come prepared with water, rope, slings, harnesses, lights, and extra batteries. Or you can skip all of that and just watch this guy’s solo expedition on YouTube.

Balconies Cave and Bear Gulch Cave
Paicines, CA
Distance from SF: 125 miles; 2.25 hours
In this newly minted Pinnacles National Park, you’ll find the Balconies and Bear Gulch Cave trails. The Bear Gulch Cave is the largest maternity colony for Townsend's big-eared bats between San Francisco and Mexico, which means part to all of this cave is closed in the summer months when the wee little bat babies are being born. Rain and storms can also close both caves, so check cave status before you visit.

Black Chasm Cavern
Volcano, CA
Distance from SF: 135 miles; 2.5 hours
Black Chasm Cavern was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1976 and has been open to the public since 2000. The two tours of this vertical cave include stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and rare helictite crystal. For an aboveground adventure, gemstone mining and geode cracking are also available.

NOTE: Calaveras County is cave city. This and the following two caves can be visited with the Sierra Nevada Recreation Corporation. If you're particularly ambitious, you might even be able to visit all three of these caves in a single weekend.

California Cavern State Historic Landmark
Mountain Ranch, CA
Distance from SF: 140 miles; 2.5 hours
In 1850, gold miner Captain Joseph Taylor discovered this cave and opened it to the public. Dances and meetings were held here and Mark Twain and John Muir both paid a visit. Today, even the tame “family tour” of this cave includes a rafting segment and a walk through knee-deep mud, so make sure you’ve packed a change of clothes.

Moaning Cavern
Vallecito, CA
Distance from SF: 140 miles; 2.5 hours
At 410ft, this is the tallest public cave you can visit in California. Its name comes from a moaning sound created by drops of water that fall into a bottle-shaped flowstone formation. The bones of 100 people from as far back as 13,000 years ago were found at the bottom of the cave. It's believed that these unlucky folks accidentally fell to their deaths throughout the ages. Tours of Moaning Cavern start with an optional rappel down to the cave floor.

Spring Events in San Fran

Today officially marks the beginning of spring! With that comes baseball, festivals, and oh so many wonderful city traditions and events! If you're not too caught up in the March Madness this weekend, take the time to plan your spring season around some of these San Francisco events, some quirky, some traditional, all fun. Events courtesy of Thrillist.

MARCH 21
SoMa StrEat Food Park Corn Dog Festival
It's National Corn Dog Day and there is no better way to celebrate than at the nation's largest corn dog festival sponsored by PBR. The battered goodness goes down from noon-6pm.

APR 11-19
Cherry Blossom Festival
Two weekends of performances, crafts, food, martial arts, and exhibitions that celebrate Japanese culture. Don't miss the Grand Parade on April 19th; it starts at the Civic Center at 1pm.

APRIL 13
SF Giants home opener
Take the day off of work because Opening Day (against the Rockies this year) is one of the city's hands-down best "holidays." Plus, you don’t want to miss the raising of the 2014 World Series championship flag, do you?

APRIL 26
How Weird Street Faire
It’s billed as the weirdest show on Earth, but considering we also have the Folsom Street Fair in SF, that can’t be true. Still, there will be 10 stages of electronic dance music, an art alley, and food and vendors from around the world. All for $20.

APRIL 26
Opening Day on the Bay
If you have a boat, or a friend with a boat, then this kick off to SF’s sailing season will be one of the most fun days of the year. If you don't have a boat or a friend with a boat... maybe start making friends now?

MAY 2
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Cinco de Mayo’s on a Tuesday this year, but if you want to get the (alcohol-free) party started early, head over to the Mission on the Saturday before for a diverse array of Mexican and Latino foods, music, and dance.

MAY 5
Cinco de Mayo
You've got this.
Your favorite Mexican bar or restaurant

MAY 9
San Francisco International Beer Festival
There will be more than 300 beers from craft brewers all over the world. We could go on, but we're pretty sure that says it all.

MAY 10
Mother's Day
Yes, you went to the SF International Beer Fest last night, but that's no excuse to forget to call your Mom and tell her how much you appreciate her. Also: FLOWERS, dude. Flowers.

MAY 9
UnCorked Wine Festival
50 top-tier wineries will be pouring tastings from 1-6pm at Ghirardelli Square. So get there at 1pm.

MAY 17
Bay to Breakers
Maybe this year will be the year you’ll actually make it all the way to the ocean. Then again... maybe not.

MAY 23-24
Carnaval San Francisco
If you can tear your eyes away from the hypnotizing feathers and colors long enough to do anything else, there’s a ton of international food and music to check out at San Francisco’s huge multi-cultural celebration of spring. That’s a big if, though.

JUNE 6-7
Union Street Festival
This year, each block will represent a different “world.” There’s Fashion World and Tech World and Health World... oddly, there's no “Beer World,” but you won’t let that stop you.

JUNE 7
Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon
It’s a 1.5mi swim from Alcatraz, 18mi bike ride, and eight-mile run. If you partake in this, maybe you are crazy enough to be locked up.

JUN 13-14
North Beach Festival
It’s SF’s oldest street fair and one of the most fun. Music, tons of food (duh), and your favorite: beer gardens.

JUNE 14
The Doobie Brothers at Stern Grove
The free concert series kicks off on Sunday, June 14th with a performance by The Doobie Brothers. Insert “Listen to the Music” joke here.

Haight-Ashbury Street Fair
Two stages of music and all of the street food your heart desires.

Saint Patrick's Day Cocktail

Although Saint Patrick's Day isn't actually until Tuesday, many people are choosing to celebrate this weekend. If you're hosting a party at your apartment home, besides the Guinness, you'll want to perfect and impress your guests with a special Saint Patty's Day cocktail - a Jameson Julep! Put on your green, pretend to be Irish and have a great time at your party! Here is the recipe for the juleps, courtesy of Redwood City - Woodside Patch:

Looking for a delicious but easy cocktail for your upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebration?  Johnny Garlic’s bartender “JZ” shows you how to quickly concoct this Irish-themed libation so you have more time to celebrate with your guests.

The drink is centered around Jameson Irish Whiskey and finished off with fresh mint, lime, agave nectar (or sugar) and soda.

JZ told Patch, “It’s kind of like an Irish Mojito.” Watch the video of how to make the Jameson Julep here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0P5Bp4HDos&noredirect=1

Want to complete your St. Patrick’s Day party with some corned beef? We have two recipes for you to try! Recipes found here: St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef: 1 Traditional Meal Cooked 2 Ways

Weekend Event: Melanie O Reilly Jazz Quartet

Happy Friday! If you're ready for a relaxing weekend close to home, stay in Redwood City and take in a concert from the Melanie O Reilly Jazz Quartet on Sunday at Angelica's Bistro. In honor of International Women's Day, the quartet will be showcasing the music of Anita O'Day. Tickets are $15 online or $21 at the door. Here is more event information from 7x7:

For International Women's Day!
Melanie O’Reilly Jazz Quartet
The music of Anita O’Day
Sunday March 8th 2015 
7:30pm show
Bell Stage Main Dining Room

@ Angelicas, 
863 Main Street
Redwood City, CA 94063
Tel: (650) 679 8184
http://angelicasllc.com/event.cfm?id=189948&cart
Tickets: $15 online, $21 at door

Award-winning jazz vocalist , Melanie O’Reilly celebrates the legendary Irish-American jazz vocalist Anita O’Day, capturing the essence of an unconventional musical genius, who shattered the traditional image of the 'girl singer' with her smoky swinging style and brilliant sense of rhythm. Also featuring Melanie's stellar trio : Frank Martin -piano, Fred Randolph- bass, Jack Dorsey -drums

“The show is a celebration, and O’Reilly makes every number her own ... effortlessly, rhythmic backbeats, sultry, soulful... virtuoso style. ” — Edinburgh Fringe Festival/Unlimited Media 

Interspersing narration between the songs, Melanie tells the story of O’Day, who was born to Irish parents in Kansas City, wanted to be a jazz singer, and refused to let anything stop her. She went on to become one of the world’s greatest jazz singers, captured in the iconic film documentary "Jazz on a Summer’s Day" at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival.

Melanie’s riveting performance, which garnered 4-star reviews and standing ovations at the international Edinburgh Fringe Festival, brings new life to the memory of the great jazz vocalist, and pays tribute to one her great musical inspirations.

Since bursting onto the international scene as one of jazz’s most daring innovators, Melanie O’Reilly is recognized as one of Ireland’s international jazz ambassadors ; she is currently based in Berkeley California, and is an internationally known jazz performer/singer, song writer & music educator .

Having represented Ireland in the international 2013 EUJazz Festival at Schoenburg Auditorium Los Angeles,her performance at the National Concert Hall Dublin garnered the accolade as one of the “Top concerts of the year” of 2013, by the Sunday Independent. and she has now earned accolades as one of the Bay Area's Jazz Treasures. She is also the creator and host of the award-winning RTE radio show "Jazz on the Bay," and her "Tribute to Anita O'Day" show earned her 4-star reviews in the International Edinburgh Festival.