San Rafael Warnings Or Dangers Tips by karenincalifornia Top 5 Page for this destination

Oak trees at risk

Sudden oak death has killed hundreds and has infected thousands of tanoaks and coast live oaks in Marin County and surrounding counties. The culprit is Phytophthora ramorum, a relative of the fungus that caused the Irish potato famine.

At this time, there is no known cure.

It is recommended that after hiking, bicycling or driving through the hills, you wash dirt and mud from shoes, bicycles and cars before leaving the area.

Website: http://cemarin.ucdavis.edu/index2.html

Muddy and wet

Winters in San Rafael usually get quite a lot of rain. Trails that were dry in the summer are often muddy and wet in the winter.

This creekbed is completely dry in the summer. Now, in January, it is practically a flood zone.

We love to eat well in San Rafael! Food / Drink Review

Jessicadf sent me this candy recipe:

Take dried cherries, wrap in marzipan candy dough and dip in chocolate. Mine got caught in today's hailstorm as they were sitting outside to set, so I redipped them in white chocolate. The streaked white chocolate candies are Jessicadf's. Thanks Jessica and Happy New Year!

Poison Oak

We have poison oak all over the place in Marin County. This is something you do NOT want to experience. If you venture off the trails or fire roads, there is a good chance you will come across poison oak, particularly in the damper, forested areas. You can't always depend on a sign like this one warning you of this danger.

If you come in contact with poison oak, wash the contacted skin area off with soap and water as soon as possible. That might avert the burning rash.

A word about straying off the trails...

Actually 3 words.

Don't do it!

Our ecosystem in the open spaces of San Rafael is very fragile. Damage and scars caused by foot traffic or mountain bikes off designated trails and fire roads take years to repair.

See link below for more information on the type of damage the area has suffered.

Know the secret password

There are some parts of San Rafael that are so rural they use cows to set up traffic stops. I advise declining the field sobriety test if they insist upon it.