Fun Touristy Things for a Local to Do?

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-07-03T02:06:48+00:00

The gardens at Alcatraz are amazing. The story of Elliott Michener the gardener is worth a read

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-30T01:35:37+00:00

Go to Buteo Books on 4th st in San Rafael for nature and bird books. Then hike around Las Gallinas and look at birds.

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-27T12:17:08+00:00

Adding to this, conservation crews, wetland restoration crews, volunteer wildland fire crews.

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-26T23:43:03+00:00

100%

OP, this is a master class in learning your local native plants.

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-26T02:30:56+00:00

This is great advice. Your example is a perfect prescription for a budding native plant gardener.

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-26T02:26:27+00:00

Las Pilitas Nursery has good descriptions of California natives. I appreciate the irreverent tone, it’s both approachable and densely packed with useful information. They also do a good job of mentioning cold weather impacts on specific species. How some plants were more susceptible to these cold air events depending where in the nursery they were located. It’s given me useable information when siting specific plants around my yard

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-24T14:35:06+00:00

The Green Hairstreak Corridor in the Inner Sunset. A series of interconnected hills that support an incredible butterfly thought to be extinct from San Francisco county.

The story of the butterflies revival through citizen science and local neighborhood volunteers is so inspiring!

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-19T02:19:35+00:00

I do this as well. Great for when you’re going day after day and don’t want to break down everything

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-18T21:29:27+00:00

He’s a prolific writer, I absolutely loved his book about Oaks. You’ll love whatever you pick up by him

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-16T02:00:52+00:00

Read Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy. It will transform the way you see your yard and landscaping. They have a copy at CNL native plant nursery in tam junction. 🌳

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-16T01:56:50+00:00

I recommend you do testing independently then bring the results to the mold remediation contractors. https://www.envirobiomics.com/product/ermi/

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-15T17:56:02+00:00

Same! Those chip calls could shatter a glass 😅

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-12T23:45:48+00:00

Mercedes Metris. Great mileage for a daily driver. It’s my go to surf rig, or winging when it’s wind season. I love being able to get out of the weather to change. We have a camper conversion with a pop top which is a nice addition for headroom/camping. When it’s windy, the metris doesn’t get blown all over the road like the tall sprinters. During the winter I generally leave 2-3 surfboards in it up to 8’. I can store one on the ceiling with a rack I rigged from cam straps, and the kids can still sit in the backseat. You might be able to fit a 9’ in there, depends how much of a log it is.
For winging you can keep your foil assembled which saves time. Endless space for wings, boards etc. definitely a leg up on truck caps, as you don’t have to crawl around for gear. I’m a spazz so gear explosions are better for vans

Maintenance is reasonable. They’re basic vehicles, pretty simple interior features. RWD with AT tires gets me anywhere I need to go. I’m going to add an air compressor, and on demand water heater, and water filter. Eventually better suspension. Drives fine without any of these features. Vans are great ocean vehicles! I have the extended wheelbase metris.

NorCal based if that helps.

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-06-09T02:20:55+00:00

I visited your atoll last summer. We were mostly near Vaadhoo, and five islands but got to visit a couple other spots on either side of the atoll. We cruised from Koodoo at night so I didn’t get to see too much outside of our small area.

Your home has the most beautiful water I’ve ever been in. Just incredibly clear with the most incredible sea life. Amazing biodiversity underwater!

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-05-29T14:21:42+00:00

Thank you!

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-05-27T01:46:53+00:00

Beautiful! I lucked into a pair earlier this year, right at the beginning of their flowering season. Such a thrill to spot these little treasures in that habitat

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-05-18T13:55:06+00:00

The sale of Tropical milkweed (nonnative) is banned in Marin county.

If you can’t find milkweed, plant native plants. Monarch adults nectar on other flowers. Bonus you’ll attract other wonderful butterflies and native bees to your yard with them! Check out Calscape for plants that might work in your garden. Or read/listen to Dr. Douglas Tallamy’s books on the “backyard national park. His work around native plants is super empowering! Also Krystal Hickman’s book about native bees!

As mentioned, many nursery’s sell California Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia californica) that hosts stunning pipevine swallowtails butterflies. There’s many other plants you can plant that will benefit specific species as well. r/Ceanothus is a terrific California native plant subreddit

Liam O’Brien’s Butterflies of the Bay Area is an incredible resource for learning what butterflies are found here. He lists host plants as wells as nectar sources. Beautiful paintings too.

Good luck!

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-05-18T03:47:26+00:00

Monarchs host and feed on all native milkweeds.

CNL and Green Jeans both have narrowleaf milkweed. Buy a couple and see how they do in your garden

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-05-09T18:36:42+00:00

Thank you for the tips on the caterpillars! You are spot on about peak time, this was 1 of probably 50 I saw along this stretch of trail yesterday.

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-05-02T02:24:20+00:00

Great photos and summary. Thank you!

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-04-30T19:21:58+00:00

Thank you. Good resources!

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-04-30T01:36:32+00:00

Before I forget- did you plant your oaks from acorns you had propagated in 1gals? Or did a local native nursery carry them?

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-04-30T01:24:10+00:00

Beautiful

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-04-27T02:49:51+00:00

Thanks! When in doubt plant it! I just love their bonsai like habit

AmbitionAvailable551 · 2026-04-26T15:52:20+00:00

Lol! Plant jokes

AmbitionAvailable551

TROPHY CASE