Style Magazine - April 2021
Before becoming a parent, I never truly valued or took full advantage of our region’s public parks. Sure, I visited them for the occasional picnic, jog, or game of tennis, and knew they brought natural beauty into neighborhoods, but never realized just how crucial they are to a community. Now, as the mom to a tantrum-prone toddler, parks—playgrounds, in particular—are a daily destination for us. Give my daughter a sandbox, swing set, and an open field to frolic in, and her attitude instantly improves. In addition to providing hours of free, fresh-air amusement, they’ve also proven to be a primo place to meet fellow mom friends. (If you’ve never watched “Dear Cool-Looking Mom in the Park” on YouTube and feel like laughing, check it out. It pretty much sums up my attempt at having a social life these days.) Lucky for us, our region is overflowing with parks (hundreds, in fact, with even more in the works) waiting to be explored. Turn to “Walk in the Park” on page 22 for 10 of our favorites—picked for their abundance of amenities, environmental components, stunning scenery, or all the above. Next time you find yourself in a funk, the solution might be as simple as going for a stroll in one of these gorgeous green spaces. Readers looking for other outdoor diversions are in luck. There’s plenty more ideas in the pages that follow—from our feature, “Choose Your Own Adventure” (page 59) that’s jam-packed with alfresco activities like chasing waterfalls, nerding out on birds, and discovering local downtown districts; to “Nurture Nature” (page 26), where we talk about the importance of Earth Day and easy ways to lessen your environmental impact today, and every day; and “Home Grown” (page 44) featuring nine secrets to garden success this spring. If you’ve never considered yourself “green” or “outdoorsy,” I hope this issue inspires you to think differently, act accordingly, and play outside whenever, however you can. Because, if you’re anything like me, even 10 minutes of fresh air will make a monumental difference in your day. Cheers! —Megan megan@stylemg.com @meggoeggowaffle
Before becoming a parent, I never truly valued or took full advantage of our region’s public parks. Sure, I visited them for the occasional picnic, jog, or game of tennis, and knew they brought natural beauty into neighborhoods, but never realized just how crucial they are to a community.
Now, as the mom to a tantrum-prone toddler, parks—playgrounds, in particular—are a daily destination for us. Give my daughter a sandbox, swing set, and an open field to frolic in, and her attitude instantly improves. In addition to providing hours of free, fresh-air amusement, they’ve also proven to be a primo place to meet fellow mom friends. (If you’ve never watched “Dear Cool-Looking Mom in the Park” on YouTube and feel like laughing, check it out. It pretty much sums up my attempt at having a social life these days.)
Lucky for us, our region is overflowing with parks (hundreds, in fact, with even more in the works) waiting to be explored. Turn to “Walk in the Park” on page 22 for 10 of our favorites—picked for their abundance of amenities, environmental components, stunning scenery, or all the above. Next time you find yourself in a funk, the solution might be as simple as going for a stroll in one of these gorgeous green spaces.
Readers looking for other outdoor diversions are in luck. There’s plenty more ideas in the pages that follow—from our feature, “Choose Your Own Adventure” (page 59) that’s jam-packed with alfresco activities like chasing waterfalls, nerding out on birds, and discovering local downtown districts; to “Nurture Nature” (page 26), where we talk about the importance of Earth Day and easy ways to lessen your environmental impact today, and every day; and “Home Grown” (page 44) featuring nine secrets to garden success this spring.
If you’ve never considered yourself “green” or “outdoorsy,” I hope this issue inspires you to think differently, act accordingly, and play outside whenever, however you can. Because, if you’re anything like me, even 10 minutes of fresh air will make a monumental difference in your day. Cheers!
—Megan
megan@stylemg.com
@meggoeggowaffle
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Lover’s Leap<br />
Auburn State Recreation Area<br />
VISIT THE NEAREST STATE PARK<br />
The Auburn State Recreation Area is a local favorite because it offers<br />
access to an abundance of outdoor activities like fishing, boating,<br />
mountain biking, and camping. Hike the Lake Clementine Trail to the<br />
scenic dam overlook. The waterfall-like runoff, with its roaring waters<br />
and bracing mist, is a great photo-op. You’ll also get a stellar bridge<br />
shot as the trail winds underneath the famed Foresthill Bridge (as<br />
seen in rom-com The Ugly Truth and a daring action scene from XXX).<br />
For state park details, visit parks.ca.gov; for trail information, visit<br />
alltrails.com.<br />
Rock climb photo by Ryan Martinez.Auburn State Recreation Area photo by Brett Macadam, @macadamphotography.<br />
Other photo courtesy of its respective company or organization.<br />
ROCK (CLIMB) & ROLL<br />
Don’t know how to get started with rock climbing? REI Co-op (rei.com/<br />
events) in Folsom takes first-timers out to Auburn for an introductory<br />
course. The best part is the reasonably priced adventure includes<br />
the necessary gear. For the experienced climber, REI’s Classic Rock<br />
Climbing Tour offers the chance to sharpen technique and build<br />
community. Or take the entire family climbing at Quarry Park Adventures<br />
(quarrypark.com) in Rocklin where you can scale natural granite walls,<br />
repel down a 60-foot drop, or challenge yourself with their Via Ferrata<br />
experience—a series of swinging bridges and climbing challenges. Also<br />
in aptly named Rocklin is Lover’s Leap—“the leap” being one of the best<br />
local spots if you’re looking for a more advanced adventure.<br />
Granny May’s Strawberry Farm<br />
GET PICKING<br />
Apple Hill has a slew of<br />
u-pick farms with fruit<br />
and veg that’s ripe for the<br />
picking come summer,<br />
like Patrick’s Berry Farm,<br />
Rainbow Orchards,<br />
Goodness Orchard, Sloan<br />
Winter Mountain Orchard,<br />
Harris Family Farm, and<br />
24Carrot Farm. Visit<br />
applehill.com and click on<br />
“Your Visit; You Pick Farms”<br />
for details. Spring is berrypicking<br />
time and Granny<br />
May’s Strawberry Farm<br />
(grannymaysstrawberries.<br />
com) in Granite Bay offers<br />
u-pick strawberries in<br />
May and blackberries in<br />
June. If you’re looking<br />
for a more immersive<br />
experience, Sloughhouse<br />
U-Pick at Davis Ranch<br />
(davisranchproduce.<br />
com) offers cucumbers,<br />
peppers, squash, eggplant,<br />
and more for you to<br />
harvest yourself and<br />
purchase.<br />
APRIL <strong>2021</strong> | stylemg.com 65
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