56 South Bay Accent
Ah, nature! As spring arrives, it
beckons us to the sea and skyline.
If in the mood for an alpenglow
sunset we recommend you view
it from one of the highest peaks
in town, the top of Mount Hamilton
in San Jose. Plan ahead, be
wary of motorcyclists and bicycle
riders and drive the sinuous 19-
mile, 45-minute road with care
and a bottle of Dramamine for
passengers prone to carsickness.
Once you get to the pinnacle, the
stillness and views will be worth
the 4,265-foot climb. While there,
check out the Lick Observatory.
Owned by the University of California,
the observatory is open
from 12 to 5 p.m. from Thursday
to Sunday and operates a visitor
center with a gift shop selling
astronomy-themed items. If you
stay after dark, you’ll be rewarded
with the aerial sight of twinkling
lights of the South Bay. Take note:
there are no gas stations or street
lights along the windy road.
If you want to combine exercise
with eye candy high above the
crowds, hike a little over a mile
up to Hunter’s Point at Fremont
Older Regional Park, San Jose,
near Saratoga. It’s a gentle grade,
with compelling views. Don’t forget
to take that special someone
with you to share in some pinot
and gouda cheese at the top.
Back down at sea level, there
are a host of choices. Love to see
that pink glow over the water?
Drive to your closest beach. From
the Santa Cruz pier and beach
boardwalk, you can spy surfers
hoping to catch that last wave.
Take a creative snapshot of the
cement ship at Seacliff State
Beach in Aptos at dusk. Park at
the beach or snatch a glimpse of
pinkish sky from inside a café. At
Half Moon Bay’s Miramar Beach
Restaurant, you can check out the
sunset behind glass windows so
you can stay warm and cozy.
HIGH TIMES, HIGH TIDES
BENNY VILLARREAL
LICK OBSERVATORY,
MT. HAMILTON