Davenport DIY is a “secret” skatepark hidden in the vast farmlands of northern Santa Cruz County California. The concrete bowl is an abandoned catch-water basin that has been modified to make for a more enjoyable skating experience. It’s “secret” location makes it a difficult task to locate and if you are able to find it you shouldn’t make it any easier for the next person because that adds to the allure of it. To me this is the perfect example of one of the many treasures that are hidden in the hills of the northern coast of California.

The Bay Area of northern California has so much more to offer than what the typical outsider may expect. When I moved here a year ago, I expected the normal things, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco urban living, professional sports, gourmet cuisine, etc. What I didn’t expect though was how much more the area has to offer. I’ve only been here for a year but I find something new and exciting almost every weekend with no real end in sight.

The thing that I love most about living in San Francisco is how quickly and easily you can escape the city and be immersed in nature. My perfect day is to get an early start with a pastry and coffee at Four Barrel Coffee in SF’s Mission District. After breakfast head either north or south from the city on US Highway 1, either way you won’t be disappointed with what you’ll find. From there relax with good music, beautiful views, and hopefully a camera to capture it all. Most importantly, go without an agenda. In my busy life I typically like to have every minute planned in advance, however, for these adventures I find it much more relaxing going with no expectations.

The perfect blend of big city living and accessibility to the wilderness.

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I live in the center of San Francisco but can get in my car and within 10 minutes can find myself alone in nature. I don’t think there are many other large cities in the US that you can say that.

Ben Howard, M83, Paulo Coelho