As I grimaced watching the Warriors game from my couch on Monday as Jimmy Butler became the second Bay Area athlete in just over a week to go down with a major season-ending injury — and after watching the George Kittle-less 49ers get demolished by the Seahawks to end their playoff run two days before — it dawned on me that maybe watching sports isn’t the best way to de-stress after all.
What has been proven to ease stress? Exercising, socializing and spending time in nature. Combine all three with a hike, bike ride or horseback ride on La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve’s newest network of trails. Four new multiuse trails totaling 6 miles have opened in the 6,500-acre preserve, which is located above Woodside and Portola Valley.
Magali Gauthier hiked on the new trails recently, photographing and writing about her experience for The Six Fifty. Meander by cattle, across grasslands and past redwood and oak forests for panoramic views of the coast and stunning vistas. Read her first-person account before you see it for yourself.
And although Lunar New Year isn’t officially until Feb. 17, events kick off in January around Silicon Valley. This weekend there’s a lion dance performance and parade in downtown San Mateo, a Lunar New Year storytime at Linden Tree Books and Palo Alto City Library’s Lunar New Year celebration at the Mitchell Park Community Center, just to name a few events. Read our guide to find out about other local Lunar New Year festivities between now and the end of February.
Go sportsball,
Julia Brown
Six Fifty Editor
editor@thesixfifty.com
Ring in the Year of the Horse in Silicon Valley with lion dances, festivals and special events
The official start of the Lunar New Year is Feb. 17, but celebrations in Silicon Valley begin in earnest Jan. 24 and stretch through the end of February. Here’s our guide to celebrating on the Peninsula.
From grazing cattle to soaring redwoods and panoramic views of the coast, a new network of trails offers unprecedented access at a Peninsula preserve
Four new multiuse trails have opened in the 6,500-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve located above Woodside and Portola Valley. The 6 miles of additions link up to existing trails and lace through the center of the preserve across grasslands and past redwood and oak forests.
From mix-and-match sushi roll slices to takeout omakase boxes, these new Peninsula businesses are redefining what a Japanese restaurant looks like
Kazu Sushi & Sando in San Mateo specializes in milk bread sandos and affordable omakase, all to go. Buri Buri Burlingame — originally a food truck specializing in eponymous donburi rice bowls — is adapting its approach with its first brick-and-mortar location, specializing in single servings of sushi rolls and bento boxes.
Congrats to Robert C., who was the first reader to correctly identify where last week’s photo was taken (it’s “Curious” by Mr & Mrs Ferguson Art at Google in Mountain View!).
The first person to reply to this email with the correct place where the below photo was taken will win a prize from The Six Fifty and a shoutout in our next newsletter!
Birds of the Bay Area: Jan. 24 Photographer Dick Evans and writer/nature guide Hannah Hindley discuss their book “In the Shadow of the Bridge: Birds of the Bay Area” with John Epperson, president of the San Mateo County Bird Alliance, at this Kepler’s event.
Star Session at Foothill College Observatory: Jan. 26 Explore the wonders of the night sky on a stargazing field trip to the Foothill College Observatory with the Peninsula Astronomical Society and the Mountain View Library.
Pokey LaFarge: Jan. 31 Country, jazz and blues musician Pokey LaFarge is embarking on a solo tour and making a stop in Menlo Park, with Julian Davis opening the show.
Community Seed Exchange and Lavender for Healthy Skin Workshop: Jan. 31 Fresh Approach hosts a free potluck and seed exchange, along with a lavender relaxation ritual from DaphneGardens Skincare.
Doggy Dip: Jan. 31 Why should humans get to have all the swimming pool fun? Pups take over the Brisbane Community Pool at this fundraising event, held before the pool closes for required maintenance. Don’t have a dog? You can still buy a spectator ticket to watch the aquatic canine action. The time slot for large dogs was sold out at press time, but space was still available for small dogs (according to the website, additional time slots may be added).
Hold Out for Joy: Music of Hope and Resilience by African American Composers: Jan. 31-Feb. 1 The African American Composer Initiative presents a concert of music honoring hope, resilience and joy, featuring works by William Grant Still, Harry Burleigh, Margaret Bonds, Betty Jackson King, Zenobia Powell Perry, Regina Baiocchi, Joshua McGhee, Valerie Capers, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Friends of Mountain View Library Book Sale: Jan. 31-Feb. 1 Score sacks of low-price books while benefiting the Mountain View Library at this two-day event. Saturday is a general sale, while Sunday is a “bag sale,” at which customers can stuff a grocery bag full of books for just $5.
Lamb Yoga: Jan. 31, Feb. 21 and March 22 Hidden Villa hosts 45-minute outdoor yoga classes in an enclosed sheep pasture, followed by a half-hour of play time with the lambs (bring a mat or towel, and clothing that can get dirty.)
Plan Ahead:
Downtown Los Altos Valentine’s Choco-Stroll: Feb. 7 Chocolate tastings, chocolate dipping and wine pairings are on the agenda for this downtown Los Altos event.
2026 Campbell Valentine Fun Run/Walk: Feb. 7 Run or walk this annual Valentine’s-season event, which features a 10K, a 5K and a kids’ dash.
It’s a Mystery: Feb. 13 Five mystery authors discuss their latest work and what makes a great whodunit, alongside refreshments, at this Kepler’s event.
Millbrae Lunar New Year Festival: Feb. 14-15 Usher in the Year of the Horse with food, crafts, performances, firecrackers and more at Millbrae’s Lunar New Year festivities.
The Wailin’ Jennys: Feb. 14 Canadian folk and roots-music trio Wailin’ Jennys (Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse) bring their heartfelt harmonies to Redwood City for a Valentine’s Day concert.
Lunar New Year Hike: Feb. 17 Docents lead a moderately paced guided hike on the Mindego Hill Trail at Russian Ridge Preserve while sharing information on a few Lunar New Year customs and telling a Chinese–Californian story.
Ghost Run: Feb. 21 You don’t have to wait for Halloween to get in on some spooky fun. The town of Colma hosts its cemetery ghost run, including haunting surprises and activities along the route. Wearing costumes is encouraged.
Are You Ready For It? A Taylor Experience: March 22 This G-rated tribute to Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” includes Traci Marie as Swift, a live band, choreography and plenty of costume changes.
A Portola Valley couple wanted a nonalcoholic wine that was a ‘complex, sophisticated beverage.’ So they made their own.
Find Kally in Peninsula markets and restaurants this Dry January and all year long
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