Outdoors Archives - The Six Fifty

A growing tradition: At Christmastime, Peninsulans flock to the Santa Cruz Mountains to cut down their own trees

Perilous switchbacks and a little bit of mud and frost can’t keep families and groups of friends from venturing to the Santa Cruz Mountains and cutting down a Christmas tree this time of year.

The mysterious case of the SF Peninsula’s poop-polluted beaches

Beach pollution on the San Francisco Peninsula has worsened for years, perplexing local surfers, scientists and officials.

Prohibition rum runners and deadly shipwrecks: Pescadero’s Pigeon Point Lighthouse turns 150

The 115-foot tall Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero has overseen some of the biggest commercial shifts in American life over the past century and a half, and the dangerous waters it watches over have pulled no shortage of mariners to their deaths. Today, it's a historic site that attracts visitors from around the world who stay at the hostel on the property, but it’s also a landmark in need of ...

Growing up: How vertical plantscapes are bringing the outdoors inside

Vertical gardens, essentially landscapes installed on walls with watering systems built in, were once rarely found outside of larger corporate and public building spaces like Google, Symantec or Stanford's Graduate School of Business. Over the past few years, that's changed as more and more residents have started installing "living walls" in their homes.

Perseids on the Peninsula: Summer stargazing peaks with the annual meteor shower

The Perseids meteor shower began late last month and can produce up to 100 meteors an hour. Lick Observatory support astronomer Jon Rees spoke with The Six Fifty to offer a scientific explanation behind the celestial spectacle, as well as tips on when and how to view the meteor shower and other night sky happenings this year.

Silicon Valley stinks: The science and mystery behind the rare corpse flower bloom

This week marked the first time a corpse flower has ever bloomed in San Jose and may be a first for Silicon Valley as a whole. The Six Fifty got a whiff of the excitement behind the rare event.

Why Sweet Farm fled Half Moon Bay for the East Coast with its llamas, piglets and turkeys in tow

'We had to make that calculated decision to get out now,' says co-founder Nate Salpeter. Sweet Farm staff prepare llamas Sheika and Dolly for their move to New York. (Photo courtesy Sweet Farm) For years, Kevin the pig, Gizmo the cow, and Paco the llama enjoyed the Coastside air and sprawling pastures of Half Moon Bay’s nonprofit animal sanctuary Sweet Farm. They even achieved a certain level of celebrity, popping up in ...

Outdoors experts reveal their favorite Peninsula hikes

With schools out for summer and the longest day of the year approaching with the official start of summer next week, it’s an ideal time to explore Peninsula parks and open spaces. Searching for new spots to check out? We asked local outdoors and environmental experts to tell us their all-time favorite hikes in the area. Here’s what they shared.

How Pacifica Runners has carved community on the Coastside through Strava kudos and themed 5Ks

The running club has expanded over the last decade through an all-levels-welcome approach.

Back on the ranch: 10 Peninsula farms that are open to visitors

From fruit picking and other seasonal activities to hanging with barnyard animals, there are farms throughout the San Francisco Peninsula that allow you to visit and learn about life on the ranch, as well as purchase fresh produce, cheese, jams and more to take home. Here are 10 to explore.