Northern California in September - Tips & Trips

Sunset, Sept, 2003 by Clare Chatfield, Lydia Lee, Harriot Manley, Dave Weinstein

* MONTEREY Walk through history They say nothing's free, but the fascinating Somethin's Fishy Historical Walking Tour won't cost you a dime. The fact-filled tour is led by Maritime Museum of Monterey historian Tim Thomas, who weaves a spellbinding tale of cutthroat whalers, Sicilian lampara nets, and the impact of sardine runs on poultry farming.

1-2:30 Sat; free (reservations recommended). Maritime Museum of Monterey (10-5; $5), 5 Custom House Plaza; (831) 372-2608 ext. 17. * SAN RAMON Make a quick escape A few feet from Interstate 680, border collies stare sheep in the eye. Volunteers restore antique tractors until they gleam. And sunlight blasts through the hand-hewn timbers of one of the East Bay's oldest barns. The 16-acre Forest Home Farms preserves 1850s to 1970s agricultural history in 21 historic structures. There's a rebuilt general store, a mini museum, historic gardens, and a 200-year-old olive tree planted by American Indians. Volunteers lead interactive tours in period costumes, but self-guided tours are also encouraged, as is picnicking at nearby tables. 9-3 Thu and Sat, or by appointment. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd.; www.ci.san-ramon.ca.us/parks/boone.htm or (925) 973-3281. * SAN FRANCISCO Create art out of junk Find inspiration for your next craft project at SCRAP, the Scroungers' Center for Reusable Art Parts. The warehouse is a treasure trove of inexpensive art supplies, including fabric remnants, wallpaper samples, tiles, and picture frames. The nonprofit center, funded by the San Francisco Department of the Environment, gathers up discards from design firms and other businesses. Last year it kept 150 tons of various supplies out of landfills. "People throw away incredible stuff," says founder Anne Marie Theilen. A scoop of colored buttons is 75 cents, an inch-thick stack of paper goes for $1. 9-5 Tue-Thu, 11-4 Sat. 801 Toland St.; www.scrap-sf.org or (415) 647-1746. * CARSON CITY, NEVADA Check out rocks New efforts to chronicle and protect more than 1,000 known petroglyph and pictograph sites are under way just over the border in Nevada, providing opportunities for the public to learn about and help protect this archaic art form. Easy rock art hikes are scheduled each month (the next hike is September 20). Free (reservations required). www.nevadarockart.org or (775) 687-4810 ext. 229.