Mount Tam is a day-hiker's paradise, but spend the night at one of these three charming inns and you'll wake to miles of trails leaving right from the back door.  

For more than 100 years, people have been making the pilgrimage to West Point Inn, and for good reason. Sitting 1,785 feet high on the southern slope of Mount Tam, the view from the inn is nothing short of spectacular: icons of the San Francisco skyline are fixtures on the horizon, while in the foreground the Marin Headlands roll toward the Pacific. Unreachable by car, the West Point Inn is a popular pit stop for hikers and mountain bikers; its sprawling wooden patio and outdoor picnic area are destination-worthy in their own right. But stay the night in one of the five rustic cabins and you'll have the place to yourself. At night, read books by candlelight in the lounge, wander outside to gaze at the stars, and plan your hikes for the next day. In the morning, watch the sun rise over Mount Diablo from your private patio as you fill up on breakfast. Then choose your adventure. The inn is situated at a crossroads of multiple trails, making it an ideal launching point for exploring. Embark on a short hike to O'Rourke's Bench via the Rock Spring Trail (return via Coastal and Matt Davis Trails), or head out for a classic day-hike to Stinson Beach on the Matt Davis, Dipsea, and Steep Ravine Trails. Tam-fastic!

BONUS: Check out Mother's Day pancake breakfast (part of West Point Inn's Sunday pancake breakfast series).

West Point Inn, 415-646-0702. It's $50 per person to stay at the inn. Bring your own food. Cabins have outdoor showers. There's no electricity. No dogs.

The Pelican Inn stylishly marries old English country charm with bohemian unorthodoxy. And no matter the weather, the inn is a welcome fixture on Highway 1. On warm, sunny days, the outdoor lawn is filled with people soaking up the rays, playing Frisbee, and drinking foamy pints. On foggy cooler days, the crackling fire of the restaurant—or the close-quarters of the Tudor pub—make cozy shelters. Stay overnight and create a Peli experience that's all your own. The seven simply furnished upstairs rooms are historic in character, with low wooden beam ceilings, lead-pane windows, wooden floors covered by giant Oriental rugs, and old rocking chairs. One special privilege exclusive to overnighters is access to the "snug"—a private library sitting room with English prints on the wall, comfy couches, a big fireplace, and loads of books to read. In the morning, fill up on bangers, baked beans, eggs, and toast before heading out the door for Muir Beach. From there, hike to the secret sands of Pirate's Cove. Once a staging area for 1920s bootleggers, it's not a place where you'll find hooch these days (unless you pack some in your picnic)—but there's plenty of booty in the tranquility.

Pelican Inn, 10 Pacific Way, Muir Beach; 415-383-6000. Rooms start at $190 per night; full English country breakfast included. Dog-friendly on the grounds, but no dogs overnight.

Mill Valley's Mountain Home Inn is a wood-and-windows respite that blends woodsy elegance with nature's true style: Two redwood trees shoot from floor to ceiling at the entrance, and wide windows display all the perks of its location. The inn sits half-way up Mount Tam, making it one of the best places for post-hike patio lounging; and the patio here is large, with views of Mill Valley and the bay. Stay the night and rest easy in one of the inn's cozy and contemporary rooms (some with fireplaces or private decks, or both). Spend some time consulting the large framed map of Mount Tam next to the wine bar, and pick a route for the day. Want to head up and up? Hike to the West Point Inn. Rather head to the low ground? Enter Muir Woods through the back door. Either way, Tam treats abound.

The Mountain Home Inn, 810 Panoramic Hwy., Mill Valley; 415-381-9000. Rooms start at $195 per night; full breakfast on the patio is included. No dogs.

50 Wineries. 3 Days. 1 Zinfully Fun Event. It's time for the 5th Annual ZinFest at Lodi Lake!

Save a total of $15 per person: Buy your tickets online before May 14 with Promo Code sherpazin.

If Napa is wine country's homecoming queen, then Lodi is the fun gal who's throwing the rockin' after-party. Barrels of good times really get rolling at Lodi Lake's ZinFest, May 15, 16, and 17. Part wine festival, part cooking school, and all live entertainment, ZinFest brings together 50 of the best wineries to celebrate the passion of the grape. Let the love affair begin! $30 gets you tasting the top zins from Lodi, wine pairings with artisan cheese, and learning how to blend your own glass of zinfandel. Join the culinary persuasion during four exclusive chef demos, where you'll see how to make a mean Scampi e Fagioli and other fresh fare. And bust out your dancing shoes for the non-stop live music or just spread a blanket on the grass and relax in front of the entertainment stage. Wrap up the good times with Winery Open Houses on Sunday, May 17. Get outside the usual wine zones and get to ZinFest. Fun, passion, and the Mother Lodi of wine.

TIP: Save a total of $15 per person. Buy your tickets online with Promo Code sherpazin or call 209-365-0621 by May 14. Or, buy them at the door for $45.