Lainie Johnson

Mt. Diablo's Rock City combines history and hiking.

Mt. Diablo’s Rock City is a beautiful and amazing landscape. Its carved rock walls and twisting trails will fascinate geology buffs, entertain young explorers and lure lazy feet. One visit to Rock City will leave you wondering why...

Great books to celebrate Read Across America on March 2

The National Education Association celebrates its Read Across America program every year on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. The goal of this ongoing program is to build awareness about the importance of reading and to motivate children and...

Visit Yerba Buena for good times and good fun

San Francisco is home to so many wonderful neighborhoods it’s easy to overlook a few gems. Judging by the lack of crowds, Yerba Buena Gardens is one of those overlooked wonders. Framed by Mission, Third, Howard and Fourth...

Spend a day the Orinda way.

Orinda is rich with opportunities for good food, good fun and good health. Looking for the perfect Saturday? Come on out to Orinda and stay a while.Start your day with a trip to the coffee shop. Sure, you could...

Terrific trains around San Francisco Bay

“A train! A train! A train! A train! Could you, would you, on a train?” –Dr. Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham California State Railroad Museum For serious railroad fans the CSRM in Sacramento is a pilgrimage...

Giving thanks and growing happiness

The holidays provide many ways to show how thankful we are; they also entice us to want more. It’s okay to covet some cashmere or long for the latest tech toy, but if you focus on being thankful...

Top 10 ways to find joy in the Bay Area

Get artsy. San Francisco holds its own among the world's great arts cities. To see world-class art take a tour of MOMA, the DeYoung Museum, the Asian Art Museum or the Legion of Honor. Treat your ears...

A day at the zoo and a train ride too

What could be more perfect than a day at the zoo? How about a day at the zoo and a train ride? The San Francisco Zoo is a perfect place to escape the daily grind and just go be a...

Lafayette's new library opens November 14, 2009

"I think the health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture and our concern for the future can all be tested by how well we support our libraries." Carl SaganLearning...

Danville's Osage Station Park is a standout in suburbia.

A row of roses greets you as you head up the walkway to Osage Station Park in Danville. This is park has been a favorite of locals for years; the features and playing fields keep visitors coming back as they...

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