Canyon is an unincorporated hamlet consisting of a post office, a K-8 school and some very eclectic residents. It's tucked behind the Oakland Hills, near Moraga, CA (which, combined with Lafayette and Orinda, is in the desireable "Lamorinda" suburb). It's most easily reached from the East Bay (Berkeley/Oakland) by driving east through the Caldicott Tunnel into Contra Costa County on Hwy 24 (see the directions page).
One hundred years ago, Canyon was a bustling logging town, with many bars and houses of ill-repute. After the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, much of the City was rebuilt with timber from Canyon, brought out by train. The train tracks are still there, running along up a few yards from the redwood groves at the Canyon School.
Where exactly in Canyon will we be?
The wedding ceremony and reception will be held outside, in a lovely large redwood grove next to Pinehurst Road, the main two-lane road through Canyon. The groves are part of Canyon School property, and you'll walk through the wooden school building to reach them. There isn't much parking right there (see the faq page for parking info), and School District rules prohibit alcoholic beverages from being served at dinner, but it is wheel-chair accessible and there's a playground for restless children! A small creek runs through the site, if water is still flowing in early summer. The giant redwoods also provide shade and a natural reminder of the relative significance of human events...
Okay, Canyon sounds nice. Any other tips for the Greater Bay Area?
Pretty much everyone who might join us for the wedding is at least somewhat familiar with the San Francisco Bay Area. Please contact us if you have any questions (call us or email erinadam2004@yahoo.com).
If you're here for the weekend, there are more than a few options around and about. Of course, there's the City proper, and all its museums and other attractions. (Remember, it will be Gay Pride Weekend, with a parade on Sunday, June 27th, so plan on crowds and traffic in San Francisco!)
In the East Bay there are less-crowded places of interest such as the kid-friendly Lawrence Hall of Science and its gorgeous view of the Bay, venues like Yoshi's for jazz or Ashkenaz for world music, and Telegraph Avenue for books and music stores and the UC Berkeley campus. If you'd like to head out of town, Muir Woods or Stinson Beach in Marin County, a drive on Highway 1 South along the Pacific coast, or the Napa Valley Wine Country are all nearby.
Browse these travel and event guides:
Citysearch.com A "Bay Area 101" guide, or search for movies, restaurants, shopping etc. in any city
The Lonely Planet Guide to San Francisco A good area orientation, history and transportation guide
The East Bay Express Local free weekly newspaper with event listings