Matthew Poole, Author at Local Getaways

A close-up photo of a pile of raw oysters, some with shells slightly open, revealing the meat inside. The oysters have rough, multicolored shells with shades of brown, gray, and green. You Are All Shucking Oysters The Wrong Way if you're not appreciating their rugged and layered textures.

You Are All Shucking Oysters the Wrong Way

Cultural myths apparently apply to shucking oysters as well. Since I was a youngin’ I’ve been taught to “be sure leave the juice in that […]

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A spread of Sonoma County artisanal food on a wooden table features sliced bread, a bunch of grapes, crackers, bowls of dip, cheese, olives, yellow bell pepper, and some lemons. The background includes a green potted plant.

Cheese, Bread, Honey, Olive Oil: Sonoma County Artisanal Food Scene Has It All

I know, it’s a tired phrase, but so many of us here in the Bay Area are food-obsessed and can’t get enough of the creamy

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A group of people scattered on a rocky beach, some crouching and some sitting. Each person appears to be scrutinizing or exploring something on the ground, enjoying one of many Bay Area family-friendly outdoor adventures. The ocean waves are visible in the background, and the sky is overcast.

Bay Area Family-Friendly Outdoor Adventures

From Moss Beach to Point Reyes National Seashore, the Greater Bay Area offers dozens of fun family friendly outdoor adventures. So awaken your inner birder

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A modern building with a living green roof featuring several rounded domes. The glass facade is surrounded by a plaza where people stroll. Palm trees and green lawns adorn the foreground, with a blue sky overhead, making it one of the coolest kid-friendly museums in Northern California.

The Coolest Kid-Friendly Museums in Northern California

Who isn’t looking for some getaways to get everyone out of the house? We all are. With that in mind, here’s a roundup of my

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A vintage steam locomotive with the number X-45 on its front leads a red passenger car through a lush forest in Northern California. The train engine has a shiny brown and black exterior and is enveloped by tall green trees. Smoke is billowing from the chimney as the train moves forward, creating a scene like those featured in trains and museums.

Historic Train Rides and Museums in Northern California

The Golden State owes almost as much to the “iron horse” as to the yellow mineral that spurred the nation’s westward expansion in the mid-19th

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A view of tall trees with slender trunks and green foliage from the forest floor, looking up towards the sky in Redwood National Park. The trees form a circular canopy with patches of blue sky visible through the leaves, truly showcasing the Land of the Giants.

Redwood National Park: Land of the Giants

I take an annual pilgrimage up Highway 101 to revisit one of my favorite places to be on the planet: Redwood National and State Parks

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A man and a child stand on a small staircase looking into the cockpit of an old aircraft inside a large hangar, enjoying one of Sonoma County's family-friendly adventures. An elderly man in a blue shirt and cap stands near the cockpit, while another person in a mask observes from behind.

Family-Friendly Adventures in Sonoma County

If you want to win that “Parent of the Year” award, keep reading. I spend a lot of time goofing around on weekends, checking out

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A person stands behind a wooden cutting board holding a shucking knife, wearing a blue glove. The board displays various opened oysters, an unshucked oyster, and a lemon wedge. The scene suggests preparation of fresh Sonoma Coast seafood.

Seafood Hotspots Along the Sonoma Coast

One of my oldest memories as a kid is piling the family into our dad’s Volkswagen bus and driving from Sacramento to Bodega Bay to

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A street in Pleasanton, California, features a large overhead sign that reads "PLEASANTON" with trees and buildings lining the sidewalk. A few cars are parked along the street, and a banner advertising an event is attached below the sign. An American flag waves on the right, inviting you to visit East Bay's Tri-Valley.

A Visit To East Bay’s Tri-Valley

Tri-Valley, a triangle-shaped wine region about 30 miles southeast of San Francisco, is known for its pleasant Mediterranean climate, and the historic downtowns of Pleasanton,

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Affordable Getaways in Santa Rosa

The #1 complaint I receive from folks who visit the Wine Country is that it’s just too expensive. By the time you end up paying

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Matthew Poole