Woodside: celebrate the Fourth at the rodeo's Pig Scramble, or bike, hike, and horse around here anytime

SEEMINGLY WORLDS AWAY from Interstate 280, though only a mile in actual distance, is a tiny town appropriately named Woodside--where the redwoods are as high as the real estate values, and venture capitalists live side by side with aging hippies (who luckily scored their homes long before the area was dubbed Silicon Valley). Even on a warm summer day, you'll find more parks and open space preserves than people hiking them, as everyone is too busy cycling the leafy, canopied roads or ambling alongside on horseback. Enjoy wineries, restaurants, a pricey market too quaint to resist--plus something you don't see every day: an ol' fashioned Fourth of July rodeo.

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Go Woodside Junior Rodeo Grab a hot dog, beer, and bleacher seat and cheer on teenage cowboys and cowgirls--decked out in sequined chaps and tall hats--as they sweep around the track, rope calves, and ride bucking bulls. The Pig Scramble is especially fun. INFO: July 4; doors open at 8 a.m., main event begins at noon; $15, $7 ages 6-18, ages 5 and under free; 521 Kings Mountain Rd.; 650/851-8300.

Huddart Park Shaded paths, open meadows, and plenty of picnic tables. Little ones love the 0.75-mile Redwood Nature Trail, while fit adults follow the Richards Road Trail 3 miles up, up, up to Skyline Boulevard. INFO: $5 per vehicle; 1100 Kings Mountain Rd.; 650/851-1210.

SIP Thomas Fogarty Winery Sample the characteristic minerality in Santa Cruz Mountains' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, right off Skyline and surrounded by views. INFO: Closed Mon--Tue; tasting from $6; 19501 Skyline Blvd.; www.fogartywinery.com or 650/851-6777.

Alice's Restaurant Pop in for a pint on the patio at the popular Harley-rider hangout. INFO: 17288 Skyline Blvd.; 650/851-0303.

EAT Roberts Market Pick up fresh but slooowly made-to-order sandwiches for a picnic in the park. INFO: 3015 Woodside Rd.; 650/851-1511.

Getting there

Woodside is about 30 miles south of San Francisco. From I-280, exit at Woodside Rd./State 84 and follow the road into town. To get to Skyline Blvd./State 35, continue on State 84 until you reach the blinking yellow light. Turn right and continue uphill for 15 curvy minutes.

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Stay for dinner

A restaurant alone worth the drive, the Village Pub ($$$$; 2967 Woodside Rd.; 650/851-9888) can be as casual or as fancy as you make it. The white linen-topped tables in the burgundy mohair-walled dining room are filled every night with wheelers and dealers, but the bar area is first come, first served. Chef Mark Sullivan offers both the full menu and the pub menu throughout, so you can go for broke with crisp sweetbreads and the grilled maple-brined Niman Ranch pork chop, with wines to match. Or opt for our favorite: the $12 Village Pub burger, arguably the best in the Bay Area.

COPYRIGHT 2007 Sunset Publishing Corp.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning