If you love to spend as much time outside as possible, then summertime can only mean one thing; picnics! Planning the Perfect Picnic Location is everything! Pick shade over sun. Remember you will be carrying everything to your picnic site, so plan accordingly! It might be better to pack two manageable coolers instead of trying to lug one big cooler to your picnic site. . . . more »

My name is Birgit and I am the newest member of the travel and outdoor team. I really enjoy working in a library, except that it means being inside a lot. Therefore I try to spend as much of my free time as possible outdoors. Living in Northern California with its great climate, there are many opportunities to go hiking, skiing, sailing or just hanging . . . more »

Attention Silicon Valley cyclists! If you’re riding your bike to work on the morning of Thursday, May 9th, please be sure to stop by our Energizer Stations. Cupertino Library (Stevens Creek Blvd. & South De Anza Blvd / 7:00 a.m -10:00 a.m.) Saratoga Library (13650 Saratoga Ave / 6:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m.) We will have light refreshments, goodies, and lots of good cheer for you! Riding . . . more »

This picture was taken on my recent trip to Washington D.C. This is my second time to the nation's capital and I must admit it's one of my all time favorite places to see. There's a certain energy that I enjoy. I'm guessing it has to do with being in a major city with a great connection to all the major sights and sounds. Below . . . more »

Anybody who has lived in the Bay Area long enough knows that there is no such thing as a gentle spring breeze! When that afternoon wind picks up is the perfect time to go outside and fly a kite! There are plenty of places to buy a kite, but maybe you would like to try your hand at making your own? The Ultimate Kite Book . . . more »

Of the 401 national parks, 26 of them are located in California. In 2012, over 35 million people visited those parks. From Monday through Friday, April 22 to 26, every national park will have free admission. For more information about National Park Week, including a calendar of events, visit the National Park Service website at http://www.nationalparks.org/national-park-week. If you’re not able to easily visit a national . . . more »

April is National Poetry Month and one fun way of planning your trip is to travel in the footsteps of a famous poet! Back in 2004 the Academy of American Poets identified 31 landmarks dedicated to poets and their work. Among them are birthplaces, museums, libraries and places of poetic inspiration. WALT WHITMAN (1819-1892). - American Poet. Whitman's House At 328 Mickle Street In Camden, . . . more »

You can go by the calendar and declare that spring arrives on March 20th. Or you can see the wildflowers popping up alongside the roads and covering the hillsides with purple and yellow, and know the truth is in the bloom; spring is already here! The season of wildflowers starts in early spring in the deserts of California and works its way north. The soil . . . more »

There are so many travel guides to choose from and sometimes it’s hard to know which one is the best. Personally I think it’s a question of preference. Some guides offer more in-depth information, others point out highlights, and some provide full color photographs of the locations described. Some specialize in faraway and exotic destination while others have a well-known travel contributor attached. Some focus . . . more »

For the last few weeks I have been preparing for my first backpacking trip. I'll be hiking 20 miles in Big Sur. I have borrowed most of the gear that I will need, since this is only my first time, and I’m not sure when the next time will be. The one thing that I did decide to invest in is a good pair of . . . more »

My name is Tracy and I am one of the contributors to the Travel and Outdoors Blog. Traveling is something that I love to do; and it seems like I am on a plane or in the car every chance that I get. My style of travel is usually on a shoestring budget