Discover. The power of community. It is friday morning july 24. I know you cant quite visit yet but we will celebrate because when the gates open, let the fun begin as we give you a live picture. I cant tell you how many times in high school i would be. With that, welcome to the nine. I am going to give you my 2 cents off the bat. There is Southern California and Northern California. My take is the beaches down south, theyre beautiful, pretty, nice, white beaches. Everyone goes on sunny days. Up here we dont get those sunny days. Maybe we dont have the same sand but i will say this, when it comes to overcast skies i think more people around the bay area go to those beaches. When i bring my children, those are some of the greatest days. A lot of people in the bay area enjoy our coast around here because we dont get that sunshine like l. A. But that does not mean that we dont enjoy our coast. One of my most favorite days was when we went to the lighthouse several years ago. We walked all the steps to the lighthouse and we were on the point and it friday and saturday so gray, cloudy, romantic with the emotion and beauty that the area has to offer. There was no sunshine but still it was one of my favorite days ever. Grab a puffy, a beanie, and head to the beach. It doesnt mart if its sunshine or gray. You get fewer people. Its more of a personal experience with clean, fresh air. I think a lot of people love it that way. Coming up on the zip trip, we check in with one of the many treasures found along the california coast, how Marine Wildlife are doing since this pandemic began. Plus marching off the beaten path and into some unknown parts of Northern California where some of the best beaches you have never heard of can be found. A trip down south for Family Friendly fun, local hot spots are now open for business. Lets start one of my favorite spots, two hours south of oakland. Monterey bay has long been a favorite for many of us in the bay area. Like many people making the trek down the california coast, my family spent time in monterey and Pacific Grove recently. We took in all that the area has to offer even though the biggest attraction remains closed. No pandemic with shut down these breath taking views the s the surf this region seems taylor made for tourism 2020 style. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has not yet reopened but tourism Officials Say that may push locals and visitors to discover other activities they may not have considered. Maybe they hadnt gone whale watching. Maybe they hadnt gone fishing. Maybe they never thought of going paddleboarding or kayaking. There is still so much to do. Bring bikes here like i was saying earlier. Research shows people are willing to drive further to get to their destination. We have been seeing people that have been coming in. Normal vacations have been canceled. Whether have never been have be seeing a combination. Many use monterey as a jumping off point for other adventures. You can do 17mile drive, golfing in pebble beach. There are so many amazing adventures. Even wine tasting is offered for the outdoor spaces as well as the restaurants with the outdoor space. Outdoor dining is in full effect at fishermans wharf. Plenty restaurants have outside seating. It is absolutely marvelous. You get to see sea lions, harbor seals, otters, pelicans, sea gulls. There are the boats floating. Fishing is available. Whale watching is available. Are you seeing the phenomenon of people being tourists in their own town in monterey . One of the biggest things is we want to support our locals and keep them around for many years to come. Thats been a Big Marketing push for our organization, to help keep supporting local businesses and encouraging our locals to have each others back. One of my favorite stops is Pacific GroveFarmers Market on monday afternoon. The strawberries are unmatched. Agriculture is the number one driver in monterey county. We do have the absolute best produce. I can vouch. Initially the mont reunion county convention and Visitors Bureau was forecasting a 500 million loss due to the pandemic. I can tell you the money you spend in the monterey region goes a long way to supporting the people and businesses working so hard to stay afloat and you have a great get away. We were in monterey and i can tell you the weekends were busy. If you can sneak out mid week which is something you used to do when you worked weekends, the mid weekdays can be golden and its like you have the place to yourself. I agree. I like that one line about being a tourist in your own town. I think over the last four months a lot of people have been doing that. My family and i were there in the last six, 12 months. The beach is beautiful, a little bit touristy. But to the south, we had a great afternoon, a great stretch of the coast. To the north, it was finding a small beach in monterey at the tide poles, letting the children run around. If i had to put a word on it, its a gem. That whole region is just a gem. I always think we are lovely to live here. You dont have to go all the way down to monterey. If you live on the peninsula some of the beaches are well worth the short trip. The beautiful drive hugs the coastline. I took a look at the stretch from Half Moon Bay to pacifica and found a lot to do outdoors. The beach in Half Moon Bay is an oasis of sorts for people who have been cooped up inside. You will see lounging in the sand running in and out of the chilly water or perhaps building a huge sand creation using a shovel at the shoreline. You will also see plenty people cycling, walking pets, exercising outside. Some bring their fishing poles and others even tail gate in the parking lot. Many come just to look at the beauty. It is very beautiful. We are very lucky. Thats one thing you can see with covid. It is kind of making everyone take a moment and step back and have perspective. That of course should be at an appropriate distance. Dont worry. There are plenty signs to remind you. The Half Moon Bay mayor and surfer rode his bike to meet us. I think of eating outside. And i also think of the restaurants that are outside serving. We have great restaurants situated where you can sit outside. Its possible at a lot of places between here and pacifica like this area a few miles north. Here you can have a leisurely lunch while sitting on the patio. We saw plenty people enjoying food and good conversation outside and bar tenders shaking cocktails inside. You can still get an adult beverage here at this place. If you are a surfer you can stop at the legendary surf stop or just pause for a moment and enjoy the view which includes that round thing in the background that looks like a giant golf ball. We took a short drive for another few miles and made our way through the tunnel to pacifica. Pacifica is probably my favorite place to go surfing. You have the worlds most famous taco bell right there. Yeah. That place is awesome. Henry and his friends came to surf today. We live in such a beautiful place. We are so lucky there is no lack of Outdoor Activities we can do around here. If i lived somewhere like even in sacramento, i feel like i would be going crazy because there arent as many Outdoor Activities you can do while being safe. You can walk on the pier and watch the power of the ocean up close. Growing up in San Francisco, pacifica was also the close beach, if you got tired of ocean beach. Go to pacifica and hang out by the now world famous taco bell and watch the surfers. Its a great place. Its not that far. Some wanted to keep it a secret but i think the secret is out. It is totally out. I lived in liver more which felt three moons away when i was little. These days i realize i can be there in under an hour. I know so many of us only go when there is something happening. The pumpkin festival and things like that. If you were able to sneak away mid week or maybe on a more cool gray summer weekend, thats when you get to see the beauty of the places for yourself. Coming out of San Francisco when i would go down there, you can go 280, hang a right on 92 and come into Half Moon Bay. But i usually go through pacifica and take the Coastal Route and then go by moss landing, moss beach, Half Moon Bay on the northside. It takes longer sometimes. Sometimes its quicker because 92 can be bumper to bumper getting to Half Moon Bay. Its a great spot to get lunch. We go in october for the pumpkin fest. I take a vacation day on monday and we go to farmer johns and spend the day. Between there and up to pacifica. , its a great spot. If you havent been and you are itching to get out for a trip, jump in the car and head out. Its a good spot. Coming up next on mornings on 2 the nine, our zip trip to santa cruise. Next hour, how things are changed around the boardwalk. A popular spot ready to welcome visitors. We are heading down south. Welcome back everyone. Lets turn back the clock a bit. November 2005. I was a reporter here at ktvu working saturday and sunday. I remember when Prince Charles came to visit marin, specifically the coast. I remember being in a bar with Prince Charles and he was having a pint. I had this delay like i have to have a pint with him. But i was working so i pushed it aside. 15 years, i should have had it. You dont get the opportunity to have a pint with Prince Charles. The point is when he was there talking to reporters he said this area reminded him of where he grew up, basically on the other side of the atlantic. He is not alone. A lot of people come to the coast to feel like they are somewhere else. Its a magical spot with a number of great spots to visit during the pandemic and beyond. A hidden gem, even on overcast day where the sound of waves mix with the smell of bodega bay. Its the perfect coastline. Sandy, calm waters. This is dylan beach. On sunny days hundreds sneak out west to drop a towel and chair to spend the day. Its perfect waves for new beginner swimmers or seasoned surfers. Vicki is the you can grab take out at the coastal kitchen or snack the general store before hitting the beach or surf. The general store, weve got grab and go sandwiches, fresh salads, cold beer, ice cream, an espresso bar. There is another gem with another name not far away. When you get out there, you feel like you have gone a super far distance and its really like a little over an hour from San Francisco. The president of nicks cove, a brilliant spot with brilliant views. A historic road side bar. Its not just a restaurant, not just a place to stay for the weekend. Its a whole experience. You can spend hours just enjoying the property. We moved a lot of our tables outside. There are tables at the boat shack. We have tables along the pier, along our water front. We encourage people to bring your own blanket and take a walk into our garden and sit up there. When your food is ready, bring your food up there and enjoy it. If its just a day on the pacific you need, head south to fort cronkite where the beach is all you need. Pull out your fishing pole, bring your surf board. These are just three spots. We can name plenty more but a day trip to any is enough to fill ones appetite, one hungry for a meal, a drink, or for a moment with nature as we power through the pandemic. There are tide pools for exploration. There are cliffs that kind of surround this little area. We will survive this. We will figure out a way to continually make changes to stay open and stay serving the community that we love. Because we are in this pandemic, things are very fluid. If you ever want to go to dylan beach or nicks cove pick up the phone to dial them to ask whats open, whats not. Thats just a tip. When you go to nicks its cool because there is this two acre garden. 90 of the vegetables are used on their plates and their signature cocktails. Like i mentioned in the story, thats just a few spots. You can talk about Tennessee Valley and the cove there. You can talk about stenson beach, one of the more popular ones. This is not to leave out sonoma. If you go to jenner at the mouth of the Russian River there are some cool beaches there as well. I know not everyone has been out there but if you get a chance and everything is open, pack up. Its a special spot. One of my favorite things to do before the pandemic was to head out there and stop where we wanted to kind of like a spur of the moment trip, not have any plans. There is no lack of things to do. As you said in the story it is a little different and you should call ahead. But there is plenty to do, gasia. Growing up in liver more, i didnt know there was west marin. As soon as i moved here and became an adult, we go every year before christmastime. We get the stinky cheese from cow girl creamery, try to hike the trail at bear valley road and point rays, get a nice cup of coffee. We have made it into an extended weekend. If you are lucky enough that this is in your backyard, go, because the businesses and others appreciate and rely on you. If you are not lucky enough to live there, jot a couple of the ideas down because you are getting it from somebody who knows it best. In a minute we will take a trip down south. It will be a car trip so pack your snacks and a couple the good song lists. We are heading to Southern California this morning on the nine. We are celebrating the california coast. Next, the popular surf spot of dana point is ready to welcome visitors. Well talk with them next. Tara, did you know geico is now offering an extra 15 credit on car and motorcycle policies . Wow. Ok thats 15 on top of what geico could already save you. So what are you waiting for . Idina menzel to sing your own theme song . Tara, tara, look at her go with a fresh cup of joe. Gettin down to work early following her dreams into taxidermy oh, its. Tax attorney. I read that wrong, oh yeeaaaah geico. Save an extra 15 percent when you switch by october 7th. Give it up for tara welcome back to our zip trip this time celebrating california coast. We are highlighting whats in our backyard certainly and exploring what Southern California has to offer. Welcome to the nine from orange county, the president of visit dana point. Good morning. Good morning. How are you . I am great and i imagine you are the same. Give us an update on whats open and what we can do right now in dana point. If you havent heard of our small surf town it is in southern orange county. We share six and a half miles of pristine shoreline along the california coast. Its known as birth place of surf culture. The first surf shop was in dana point, endless summer movie was filmed in dana point where surfer magazine was found. It has a rich culture that goes back decades and decades. Over time it has blossomed into this beautiful destination. We have 11 hotels, four pristine resorts overlooking Pacific Ocean and seven Additional Properties that have ocean views. Ten of the 11 hotels are open as are restaurants, shopping centers, spas, and shopping districts. We made modifications due to the governors orders. You will see dining on sidewalks and in parking lots in the streets. People are making really cool accommodations so that the environment and experience continues to be top notch. The resorts are also making the accommodations so when you come to one of our hotels, you will be greeted and you will have a safety feel because most hotels and resorts have gone through safety checks and protocols and implemented Safety Measures to be sure that the guests feel safe when they visit. A lot of people have had to cancel or postpone their big summer vacations, overseas, airplane travel. It feels like more people are willing to drive further distances. Are you seeing people from further away in california who otherwise might not consider vacationing not far from their own backyard . Absolutely. Thats the neat part about california. There are so many different regions and places you can visit that have a world feel about them, whether it is the post, death valley, the red woods. There is something for everyone. What we are encouraging people to do is drive the coast all the way down and land in dana point and thats where you would spend your vacation. It is halfway between los angeles and san diego. It is far enough removed where there is a lot of open air, open space. It feels removed from larger cities, so you feel like you have distance between people. Thats just innate to the destination. Its also a place to relax. There is a lot of open air, nature, activity, those type of things. You dont feel cramped as you feel the abundance of air and naturalism throughout the community. The six and a half miles of beach, it really gives people the ample space to set up where they would like and enjoy the experiences. Our target during this time frame is to attract people from the San Francisco region, obviously Greater Los Angeles and Southern California but also extending to las vegas and phoenix because we know people are looking to a coastal destination. Dana point with the little bit hair dyes, you dont have to go overseas. When you find it it is the hidden gem that you had not heard of and it will give you bragging rights when you talk to friends. If you drive down one the whole way, it will be amazing from start to finish. Thanks for joining us this morning. Thank you very much. Have a nice day. Coming up on our zip trip soak up breath taking views from around San Francisco. We are heading to these two familiar beaches. A vacation hot spot for the whole family. Beach front views in carls bad. Thats coming up next. [narrator] did you just reward yourself for spending a perfectly reasonable amount of time on the couch with tacos from grubhub . Rewarded get a free delivery perk when you order. [group] grubhub. This is