John Metcalfe
San Jose Mercury News
San Francisco Bay Area, CA, United States
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Past articles by john:
Bay Area Outdoors: The incredible history of San Francisco’s Fort Point National Historic Site
Fort Point in San Francisco, now a U.S. National Historic Site, was a cutting-edge fort during the Civil War made from millions of hand-cut bricks. It can look rather humble in the Golden Gate Bridge's massive shadow. But in its time it was a mighty deterrent to war, one that might make a Confederate soldier wet his trousers. → Read More
5 historic state parks in Northern California worth visiting in 2023
If you’re seeking outdoor experiences that offer the wonder of the past, Northern California is where it’s at. → Read More
Bay Area’s best picnic spots: Presidio Tunnel Tops, San Francisco
If you took that old Joni Mitchell lyric – “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot” – and turned it on its head, you'd get San Francisco's stunning new green space, the Presidio Tunnel Tops. → Read More
The 10 most spectacular hikes on the San Francisco Bay Trail
From Fort Mason to the Bay Area’s Cote d’Azur, marshlands, wildlife refuges and a historic Chinese fishing village, here are 10 incredible hikes to explore. → Read More
It’s spring, time to visit a Marin creamery and hold baby lambs
“With fresh cheese you shouldn’t really ever have that ‘goaty’ taste, like you’re licking a buck,” says Tamara Hicks, who supplies cheese to Michelin-starred restaurants.… → Read More
5 fantastic Bay Area creamery and farm tours for 2023
World-class cheeses? Meeting baby goats? These farm tours in the North Bay have it all. → Read More
Where to get nitro beer, aka ‘beer milkshakes,’ for Saint Patrick’s Day
Here’s where to find thick, creamy pours in the tradition of Old England. → Read More
Super sandwiches: 16 of the Bay Area’s best sandos to try right now
Here are 16 of our favorite sammies from some superb delis, cafes and sandwich spots across the Bay, from a meaty 49ers fave in San Jose to an artichoke and mozzarella wonder in Danville. Here, have a taste! → Read More
The perfect day trip to Concord’s vibrant Todos Santos Plaza
The best things to do in 2023 in Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza, from craft-beer fests to historic tours to Burmese cuisine. → Read More
What would you do after finding a 400-pound whale skull?
California’s January storms washed many things onto the beaches, probably none more poignant than this skull. → Read More
What would you do after finding a 400-pound whale skull?
California’s January storms washed many things onto the beaches, probably none more poignant than this skull. → Read More
The San Francisco Public Library's Treasure Island branch is inside a vending machine
The library machine rests in a grocery store that slings shawarma and bacon-egg sandwiches. → Read More
5 great Spanish and tapas restaurants in the Bay Area to explore in 2023
Foodies are no doubt aware that Mountain View just got a highly anticipated tapas restaurant, Vida. But there are other options, too. Here's a sampling of some of the best Spanish and tapas restaurants around the Bay Area. → Read More
St. John’s Soul Food brings poboys, chicken and waffles to Livermore
Here’s some great news for lovers of gumbo and loaded poboys. → Read More
St. John’s Soul Food brings poboys, chicken and waffles to Livermore
Here’s some great news for lovers of gumbo and loaded poboys. → Read More
The most romantic national parks near the Bay Area for Valentine’s Day
Recreation.gov’s top spots to have a romantic adventure include three national parks near the Bay Area. → Read More
Super Bowl Sunday: 10 great Bay Area chicken wings (Wait, we just found #11: Tequila Sunrise wings)
Beyond Buffalo style: Check out these Indian, Vietnamese, Memphis, Japanese, halal versions in Lafayette, San Ramon, Cupertino and more → Read More
This year, ski and snowshoe with forest rangers at Lake Tahoe
What's better than hitting the slopes with all the gorgeous powder we've gotten? What if you had an expert guide leading the way – a Lake Tahoe park ranger? → Read More
California’s weather-predicting ‘groundhog’ is a tortoise named Maxine
Maxine, who looks like a big, armored potato, is famous for her winter predictions. → Read More
California’s weather-predicting ‘groundhog’ is a tortoise named Maxine
California doesn't have the kind of weather-predicting groundhogs like Punxsutawney Phil – the closest thing you'll find is probably an animatronic puppet in Quincy called Chuck Wood. What it does have is a desert tortoise named Mojave Maxine, who looks like a large, armored potato and during the winter is generally just as active. → Read More