Marquez Five Adventures
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Bangkok City Tour with Context Travel

  • January 22, 2019
  • by Carrie
  • One comment
The view from the top
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A Must Do! Street Food Tour in Bangkok

  • September 24, 2018
  • by Carrie
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Colorful streets of Bangkok
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24 Hours in Scottsdale with Kids

  • June 6, 2018
  • by Carrie
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Admiring the red rocks in Scottsdale, Arizona
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San Francisco Color Factory

  • November 14, 2017
  • by Carrie
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A sea of yellow balls
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Travelogue: Quito, Ecuador – Middle Of The World

  • July 18, 2017
  • by Carrie
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Recent Posts
  • 5 Stunning Coastal Winter Hikes (on the SF Peninsula)
  • Exploring Pigeon Point in Pescadero
  • Tennessee Valley – A Family Favorite Hike in Marin
  • Weekend Escape to the Mendocino Coast
  • Lands End: Best Hiking Trail in San Francisco

marquezfiveadventures

Carrie | SF Bay Area
California is currently getting drenched by an atm California is currently getting drenched by an atmospheric river bringing much needed rain to the Bay Area and snow to Tahoe! ❄️

Last weekend we took our first ever ski day trip and I’d say it was a huge success! We chose @sugarbowlresort because it’s one of the first ski resorts you hit on the way to Tahoe (saving about 45 minutes of driving each way). I don’t think we’ve ever skied here with the kids, but it was such a great experience! 

Because we had to plan this trip several days in advance and the snow situation was looking a little grim at the time, I was worried the skiing would not be great. However, Sugar Bowl received about 6 inches of fresh powder the night before so we had great conditions! In fact, I didn’t realize that Sugar Bowl receives the most annual snowfall in North Lake Tahoe! Not all the lifts were open due to limited coverage at the peak, but I imagine that will change after this week! 

Skiing lends itself well to social distancing & wearing masks - here’s what I thought the resort did so well! 
⛷LIFT TICKETS - Advance ticket purchase required to limit the number of skiers on any given day. No day-of sales. We walked right up to a kiosk and printed our lift tickets (no contact). We can just reload these cards from home next time and go straight to the lift.
⛷LIFTS - Aside from one intermediate lift right by the main lodge, we never waited for more than a few minutes to get on a chairlift. There were ground markers to keep parties 6-feet from each other and automatic gates that read lift tickets in our pockets and opened to let us through to the lift. Attendants did not pack the lifts and let everyone sort into proper household groups on their own - even allowing single or double riders on a quad despite a line. Even so, the lines moved quickly.
⛷MASKS - Required at all times except when actively skiing or eating. Though most people had them on when skiing anyway. There were lots of signs to remind skiers when they were entering a “mask required zone” and attendants who reminded anyone who forgot to pull up their mask.

*continued in comments*
**PILLAR POINT, HALF MOON BAY** We hiked here onc **PILLAR POINT, HALF MOON BAY**

We hiked here once during the summer on a warm beautiful day and again late in December. I loved this trail so much more in winter!!! The day we went, the coastline was exceptionally moody and I was struck by the colors: gray, blue & pink. It was also during King Tides so the tide was extra low exposing even more rock than usual. 

If you’re short on time, this is a great option! There are several different routes to take along the bluff, but most are about 2 miles or so and quite easy with minimal elevation gain. I highly recommend parking in the trailhead lot on Airport Road (NOT the one on W Point Ave). Both lots are small, but there is plenty of overflow parking on Airport Road. We take Pillar Point Bluff Trail heading north → Jean Lauer Trail south along the bluff all the way to Ross’ Cove (from here you can head down to the beach if you want) → and then back to the Jean Lauer Trail → Pillar Point Bluff Trail creating a big loop.

This is another trail that hugs the edge of a bluff so while it’s kid-friendly, keep little ones close! Some of the trails are wide & smooth enough for jogging strollers, but not all. It’s also bike & dog-friendly (although dogs are not allowed on the beach at Ross’ Cove). 🌊

Fun Fact: The famous "golf ball" that sits atop Pillar Point Bluff is an iconic part of the coastline but hasn't always been there. The hard shell that protects radar equipment was first installed in 2006 and is a part of a U. S. Air Force Station that has been in place since WWII. On a clear day, it’s visible from many miles away!

For more details on the coastal hikes I shared this week, plus two more great ones, check out my newest blog post (link in bio).
**COWELL-PURISIMA TRAIL, HALF MOON BAY** Cowell-P **COWELL-PURISIMA TRAIL, HALF MOON BAY**

Cowell-Purisima is another great winter hike in Half Moon Bay with fantastic coastal views. The trail is only open on weekends and holidays 8am to sunset. It’s 7 miles out-and-back mostly flat with a gravel trail which makes it a great option after the rain when other trails might be muddy. 

There are two small parking lots at either end of the trail with overflow parking along Highway 1. We parked at Cowell Beach and walked half a mile to the coastal trailhead. The views never stop! Coastal views on one side and pasture/farmland views on the other - there are some informational signs along the way that provide some history and explain what to look for. We crossed several bridges and spotted some banana slugs near Purisima Creek where the trail briefly switches to a shady dirt trail. 

This hike is great for all skill levels and is bike accessible, but not dog friendly. We turned around shortly after the creek for about a 5 mile round trip hike. I’d love to hike the entire way next time! After finishing the hike, stop at Cowell Ranch Beach (pictured above) for lunch. This is a great beach because it’s only accessible by walking half a mile from the parking lot making it less crowded than some of the others!
This week I’m going to share a couple of great c This week I’m going to share a couple of great coastal hikes along the SF Peninsula. In general, I much prefer going outside when it’s warm, but given our limited entertainment options recently, I’ve found myself outside hiking much more often this winter. And surprisingly, I’m really loving winter hiking (although this weekend was an unseasonably warm 70+ degrees!!). There’s just something about the moody coast, the cool invigorating ocean air, the possibility of spotting whales, and the colors: pinks and blues and grays. And of course California winter rain brings all the GREEN! I love it! 💚

**MORI POINT, PACIFICA**

I’ve mentioned this one before because it’s a spectacular one! It’s hard for me to pick a favorite hike, but this one is definitely near the top. The dramatic views are mesmerizing and throughout the hike I just couldn’t stop thinking how lucky I am to live here! We hiked here in the fall, but I think winter was even better! We were there the day of a high surf advisory and the waves were the highest I’ve ever seen! 🐳🌊

It gets crowded here so go early if you can for the best parking options and fewer crowds. There are lots of trails crossing every which way and they are not well marked so I find it helpful to use @Alltrails or another GPS to track the path we want to take. The trails are all moderate in length (2-4 miles), but there is a lot of elevation gain & loss and some of the trails are uneven (and currently muddy) so I’d rate it moderate in difficulty. Definitely not stroller friendly, but I’ve seen a lot of parents with carriers. Lots of steep drop offs so I would recommend this trail only for older kids, smaller kids in carriers, or those who will stay close to you on the trail. Dogs on leash are OK!

We start at Old Mori Road → up Bootleggers Steps to The Point and then along the Bluff Trail for about half a mile → wind our way up to Mori Peak → and then back down either via the Coastal Trail or Timigtac Trail.

Bonus - Look for the bench “swing” and fairy garden near the beach and a fading rock labyrinth at the peak!
"new beginnings are often disguised as painful end "new beginnings are often disguised as painful endings" - Lao Tzu

This quote has been providing me with some comfort lately. The last year, but really the last few months, and especially the last 10 days, have been exceptionally difficult. I have felt such a range of emotions from fury to despair to sheer panic. But I keep coming back to Hope, because without it, I can’t see a path forward. Like Ben in this picture, I see light at the end of a tunnel, but still have a bit of trepidation. I hope that recent events will be an opportunity for growth and reflection so we can move forward stronger and more united as a country. ❤️
Maybe you’re like me and have driven by Pigeon P Maybe you’re like me and have driven by Pigeon Point lighthouse a million times and never stopped. Last month, Ben and I finally spent an afternoon exploring the area and realized there is so much more to Pigeon Point than just the historic lighthouse and it’s definitely worth a stop!

🚢 History! There is so much history along the coast from shipwrecks to coastal whaling. Pigeon Point is named after the clipper ship Carrier Pigeon which wrecked just off the coast in thick fog on its maiden voyage from Maine in 1853. There’s a visitor center with exhibits & programs and docent led tours, but check ahead to make sure these are open if interested.

🐳 Views! The coast is worth a trip whether it’s foggy or clear, but if you go on a clear day there are views as far south as Ano Nuevo State Reserve. The Whale Cove Overlook is also a great place for spotting gray whales & their calves in the shallow waters. Humpback & blue whales can be spotted a little further out.

🌊 Beach & Tide pooling! Plan your trip at low tide because the beach adjacent to the lighthouse has lots of opportunities for tide pooling.

🔭 Hiking & Walking! Mel’s Walk is a short coastal walk that starts at the lighthouse. Wilbur’s Watch just across Highway 1 is a fabulous 2-mile easy hike with fantastic views and a telescope at the top.

Add this to your list of places to visit this winter! More details & pictures from our visit in my newest blog post - link in bio!
Ben and I drove over to Pigeon Point near Pescader Ben and I drove over to Pigeon Point near Pescadero a whim one afternoon to check out the lighthouse and go on some nearby hikes. Our last stop of the day before heading home was the 2-mile Wilbur’s Watch trail. It’s an easy trail with a wide path that meanders up the hill via gentle switchbacks to a lookout spot with redwood benches and a telescope. The views were unbelievable and we could see all the way down to Año Nuevo State Reserve in the south. Ben spent quite a bit of time trying to spot whales and viewing the lighthouse and the moon through the telescope. We made it back to our car just as the sun was setting - kind of a perfect day! 🐳🌊🔭
For me, January is all about travel planning! I br For me, January is all about travel planning! I bring out my 5-year travel plan and start to solidify our trips for the upcoming year, or at least commit to dates. 

We are very cautiously planning out 2021 - here’s what we have confirmed so far:
🌴Florida this spring for my brother’s wedding
🦒Kenya this summer
✈️East Coast annual family trip in August

Planning has definitely gotten trickier with the kids having 2 different school calendars (next year it will be 3!), plus sports and activities. Traveling and spending time together as a family is a priority of mine, but I do try to be respectful of their commitments.

One thing I learned in 2020 is that I want to spend more time exploring locally and traveling within California and the west. So I’ll fill in a lot of holes (like their 2 different spring breaks and 3-day weekends) with these more local trips. 

I certainly didn’t expect things to change overnight as we entered 2021, and it hasn’t (!!!), but I am still hopeful that we’ll be able to travel more freely and resume some normality and calm before too long. 

Where are you hoping to go this year? I’m always looking for additional inspiration!
Kate wanted to go to the coast and watch the sunse Kate wanted to go to the coast and watch the sunset on her birthday. We grabbed sandwiches, cupcakes & a ton of blankets and headed over. 

As we got closer to the coast, we ran into the fog - and lots of it! 🌫🌫There was no view at the beach, in fact, it was tough to see the water from where we sat on the sand 20 yards away. There was definitely no sunset! But I never heard her complain! As I sat under a pile of blankets looking out at the thick fog, I had a moment of clarity where I decided that I need to just embrace the season and find a way to be outside regardless of the weather. Rainy hikes 🌧...Foggy days at the coast 🌊...Trips to the snow ❄️….Let’s do this!
I love the idea of a fresh start each new year. I I love the idea of a fresh start each new year. I set my intentions and goals for the year ahead with hope & purpose. 2020 was a trainwreck in many ways, but I hope to walk away holding onto the positives and carry them forward with me into 2021. 🎉

One of the best ways we kick off the new year is celebrating my favorite girl on her birthday! She brings so much life & laughter to our family and has the most adventurous spirit. Whether she’s cliff jumping, snowboarding, scuba diving, playing soccer, painting murals on her bedroom wall, or watching true crime shows with me she is all-in. This next year will be a big one for her - finishing middle school & starting high school and fulfilling her dream to go to Africa.🦒

Happy 14th Birthday, Kate! 🥳🎂🎈This last year was a doozy, but I appreciate how you took it all in stride and always maintained a positive outlook! I hope this next year is filled with fun, adventure, family, friends, sports, in person school & health.❤️
I’ve been reflecting a lot on these top 9 little I’ve been reflecting a lot on these top 9 little squares because they highlight a big shift we made in 2020. 

Up until February, I was very focused on traveling internationally and domestically outside of California. As soon as the kids had a school break we would hop on a plane and leave California. 2020 forced a change and I am grateful for that. Instead of taking big trips, we spent time hiking, discovering hidden spots within the Bay Area, and really appreciating where we live. I’ve honestly found a new love and purpose for this account and my blog highlighting ways to get out and enjoy the Golden State 💛. I have always known how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place and told everyone that you don’t have to travel far to have adventures - you can just explore your own backyard. But I was always quick to jump on a plane and go somewhere else. This year I was forced to listen to myself and realized while I do love to experience new cultures and discover new places, I also really love California. We do have plans to travel again in 2021, but I expect that most of our exploring will be done right here at home. 

🔸Russian Gulch Bridge in Mendocino
🔸Ice cream and street art in Fort Bragg
🔸Golden Gate Bridge from Land’s End Trail in San Francisco
🔸Exploring the Labyrinth at Land’s End
🔸Playing football under the Russian Gulch Bridge
🔸Hiking down to Mile Beach in SF
🔸Summer day trip to Shark Fin Cove in Davenport
🔸Pygmy Forest in Mendocino
🔸Reminiscing on our Maui Invitational trip in 2016 since our 2020 trip was canceled

🎉Bring on 2021🎉
We are currently loving all the coastal hikes near We are currently loving all the coastal hikes near us! The Cowell-Purisima trail in Half Moon Bay is easy and mostly flat with gorgeous views of the coast on one side and pastures & farmland on the other. It’s 3.6 miles one way - we hiked about 2.5 miles and then turned around. I’d love to hike the entire 7.2 miles next time. The trail is currently only open on the weekends and holidays and is part of the California Coastal Trail which will one day span the entire length of the state.
Merry Christmas!!🎄Today Kate shared her destina Merry Christmas!!🎄Today Kate shared her destination pick for our summer trip….any guesses??

KENYA! 🦒🐘 🦓 

Kate has been dreaming of going to Africa for as long as I can remember. After lots of research, we settled on Kenya where we will make several stops including the Masai Mara where we hope to catch a glimpse of the Great Migration! After a week-ish on safari we will head to the beach for some vitamin sea and diving! 🌊🤿 I cannot adequately express how excited I am! 

The great news is that Kenya has been open to international visitors (including US Citizens) since October. So we are extremely hopeful that this trip will actually happen!

This photo was taken at @bbryanpreserve in Point Arena, CA this September. A little foreshadowing of what is to come
Each year on Christmas we reveal the destination o Each year on Christmas we reveal the destination of our upcoming summer trip to the kids. As the family trip planner, I’m usually the one who picks the destination. I love all the research and planning that goes into it and then listening to the kids as they try to guess 😉 A couple of years ago, we decided to switch it up and let each kid pick the destination and plan the itinerary in certain milestone years: the summers after finishing middle school and high school. We thought it would be really fun to see where they want to go (maybe somewhere we never would have picked otherwise) and teach them about trip planning. I often get asked what kind of rules we have in place for selecting the destination. So far, I have only one rule - they cannot recreate a trip we’ve already been on. 

2 years ago, Jack picked Australia 🇦🇺🦘and he planned an incredible trip! We went to Sydney, Uluru, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. This picture was taken looking out at Kata Tjuta during our stay @longitude131 in Uluru. 

This year, Kate will finish middle school so it’s her turn to reveal our 2021 summer destination. I’ve had to be realistic with her that while she can pick her ideal destination, there is a chance we may need to readjust depending on the travel situation as summer approaches. Fingers crossed because her trip is going to be epic! Stay tuned...! 🎄
“This weekend, remember that you cannot direct t “This weekend, remember that you cannot direct the wind, but you do have the power to adjust the sails on your boat.”

As the entire Bay Area heads back into another stay at home order for at least 3 weeks, this quote really struck a chord. I’m super frustrated, but I’ll leave it at that. I can’t change what others are doing, but I can choose how I react. The kids are out of school for a couple of weeks so we’re going to slow down, enjoy the holiday season as a family of 5🎄,and get outside as much as possible. I am thankful that our Bay Area parks & trails are remaining open - if you need me that’s where I’ll be.🥾🌲☀️
I love when worlds collide. This is @_filoli in Wo I love when worlds collide. This is @_filoli in Woodside, CA (about 25 miles south of San Francisco). In 1914, William and Agnes Bourne, a wealthy couple from San Francisco, purchased 709 acres of land to create a self-sustaining country estate. They named the estate Filoli which was formed by combining the first two letters from the key words of William Bourne's credo: "FIght for a just cause; LOve your fellow man; LIve a good life." ⁠

The second picture is @muckross.house.killarney in Ireland🍀where we visited in 2015 (note - this was back when my kids liked to wear every color of the rainbow at once🌈). While we were there, we learned that Muckross House and Filoli are sister estates! We only learned this because we happened to tell a docent where we were from and she made the connection. Muckross House, dating back to the 17th century, was sold to the same William Bourne in 1911! He gave the 13,000 acre estate to his daughter Maud as a wedding gift. Following Maud’s death in 1929, the estate was presented to the Irish Free State in 1932 and became Ireland’s first National Park.

I love making unexpected connections like this. It’s also a good reminder to strike up conversations with locals because you never know what you might learn!

ps - if you haven’t visited the Holiday Light display at Filoli yet, you need to! It’s spectacular!🎄
Tennessee Valley is a popular hiking trail in Mari Tennessee Valley is a popular hiking trail in Marin and one of my favorites! 🤩 It’s family friendly, relatively flat & easy, and gorgeous! I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve hiked this trail over the years.

The hike itself is relatively easy: 3.4 mile out-and-back with minimal elevation gain and a huge beach reward at the end, lots of cliffs to explore and climb including some WWII bunkers high up on the hill, and if you’re lucky, at low tide you may catch a glimpse of the remnants of the SS Tennessee shipwreck (for which this valley is named!). There are also options to extend the hike all the way to Muir or Rodeo Beach. We’ve hiked those areas separately, but have never connected with Tennessee Valley (which we need to do!). The parking lot can fill up quickly on weekends so we always try to go on a random weekday or early on a weekend morning. It’s also much less crowded on cold foggy days - go figure 🤷🏼‍♀️

I have a new blog post with many more pictures from this hike (link in bio). This trail sometimes receives negative feedback because of the crowds, but if you notice in these pictures we had the place basically to ourselves! We only saw a handful of other people the entire time and mostly from a distance. We were there on a foggy & cool Tuesday in July 🌫
This weekend we hiked the Jean Lauer Trail which r This weekend we hiked the Jean Lauer Trail which runs along Pillar Point Bluff in Half Moon Bay. This trail is short (1.5 mile loop), but it packs in a lot: sweeping views, quintessential California coastal bluffs, and soaring pelicans & hawks. The hike looks out onto Mavericks, which just 4 days before we were there, had one of the biggest days in recent memory, 30-foot waves!🌊 It’s also a prime spot for viewing migrating whales! December is a perfect time to catch a glimpse of these giants, but despite our best efforts scouring the ocean, we didn’t see any this time. 🐳

We took Ross’ Cove Trail all the way to Ross’ Cove which extended the hike by about a mile. While the trails are dog-friendly, the beach is not so we couldn’t go down there this time. The tide was really low and there were so many exposed rocks for exploring. It would be a fantastic spot to explore the tidepools! 🦀
Did you know that @postlandtrust releases a free d Did you know that @postlandtrust releases a free downloadable hiking calendar every year? Each month the calendar features several Peninsula & South Bay hikes that shine during that time of year. We just discovered it last year and were pumped to try every featured hike! We started strong, but then parks closed in the spring and that threw us off until recently when we’ve picked it back up again. 

This is Mockingbird Trail, one of the featured November 2020 hikes at Almaden Quicksilver Park in San Jose. We saw lots of oaks, some bright fall leaves, and views of downtown San Jose. The best part for us was learning about the area’s 135 year history of mining activities and seeing some remnants of mining structures. 

Looking forward to our December hikes and discovering more local hikes in 2021!
“There's nothing cozier than a Christmas tree al “There's nothing cozier than a Christmas tree all lit up.” ― Jenny Han

We have been to Filoli many times over the years, but this was our first time visiting when it’s all decorated for Christmas! WOW! 🤩The property is spectacular by itself but when lit up was exceptional! 🎄

We slowly wound our way through the property to admire the impressive light displays. Near the pool, we stopped at the outdoor Quail’s Nest Cafe for hot chocolate. There were socially distanced firepits, seating, and tables too.

Filoli, located in Woodside, is currently open for both daytime (10am-4pm) and evening admissions (4-8pm) through January 3rd, although at last check many dates are sold out! Mondays are theme nights and Santa is there on Saturdays🎅🏻 Advance ticket purchase is required @_filoli. We will definitely be adding this to our list of Christmas traditions!
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