A few months ago Weekend Sherpa and Patagonia asked subscribers to submit story ideas. The entries arrived, the suggestions were great, and—with just a little help from Weekend Sherpa editors—here are the winning stories. Write on, Weekend Sherpa readers.

A crumbling military base as an "art scene"? You bet. Deep in the coastal wilds of the Marin Headlands lies the world-renowned artist community, the Headlands Center for the Arts. This series of 1907 Army barracks houses dozens of highly acclaimed artists from the Bay Area and beyond. The buildings prompt many curious travelers to ask, What exactly goes on in there? Go to their free Open House this Sunday and find out. See artists in action and talk to them about their work. And then there's the food! Enjoy an organic meal in the Center's Mess Hall Café, where local ingredients are molded into their own art forms by former Chez Panisse chef Juliette Delventhal. Later, catch the sunset on Rodeo Beach. Ahhh nature: what a masterpiece.

TIP: Want to work up an appetite before the gourmet Mess Hall meal? Add a hike to the mix by venturing into the nearby coastal scrublands of Gerbode Valley.

Story by Steve Waldron

The open house is this Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. There is no charge for admission. It is dog friendly! From San Francisco, the 76 Marin Headlands bus runs only on Sundays—the first bus departs the City at 9:30 a.m., and the last bus leaves Rodeo Beach/Fort Cronkhite at 6:30 p.m. Buses run every hour. To see routes and schedules, click here.

Lafayette locals have long enjoyed the peaceful waters of its namesake Reservoir. But don't take their word for it. Go this summer and hike around this East Bay jewel. The level 2.7-mile Lakeside Trail has serenading birds, fluttering leaves, and even the occasional wild turkey. Stroll past a redwood grove with native wildflowers (red maid, checkerbloom, and lupine) planted by schoolchildren. For an off-road and significantly more challenging hike, do the 4.7-mile Rim Trail, a burly dirt fire road with several elevation changes. Or just grab a bench at one of the 35 picnic sites and watch the summer sun bounce off the water. East Bay bliss.

BONUS: For more good times in Lafayette, try a bike and brunch option.

Story by Katie Wollak

The Lafayette Reservoir is just off Hwy 24 and is located in the Lafayette Recreation Area. Take the Acalanes exit. The area is also a place for bicyclists, paddleboaters, kaykers, fishers, and picnickers. The Lakeside Trail is wheelchair accessible. No bikes or dogs on the Rim Trail. Dogs on a leash are permitted on the Lakeside Trail.

Tour de France, eat your spokes out. The Peninsula's Cañada Road is a road biker's Shangri-La: a 7.3-mile scenic stretch of well-groomed pavement from Woodside to the west side of San Mateo. The route is light on traffic and offers great scenery, including the Crystal Springs Reservoir. Start this ride at the northern end, where parking is abundant and rolling hills are a backdrop. Plan to ride on a Sunday—the northern end is closed to vehicles for Bicycle Sundays, so children, joggers, roller-bladers, and bikers have full access to the street. Toward the southern end of the ride, stop and re-fuel with some fine deli sandwiches at Roberts Market in Woodside. Viva Cañada!

Story by Kathleen Chang

To start at the northern end of Cañada Rd.: from I-280 take the Hwy 92 exit west toward Half Moon Bay and turn left onto Cañada Road. There is plenty of parking along the street. On Bicycle Sundays (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) the 4-mile section from the Filoli Estate (1 mile north of Edgewood Rd.) to Hwy 92 is closed to vehicular traffic. Roberts Market is at the intersection of Woodside Rd. and Cañada Rd.

Even for the most experienced among us, Mother Nature has a funny way of showing who's really boss in the great outdoors. But don't let her fickle moods inhibit you. Just be smart about your decisions—and your traveling companions. The ultimate reliable traveling buddy? SPOT Satellite Messenger. It's small, compact, easy to use, and there for you in an emergency. Just ask Derek Crook, a kayaking enthusiast who was paddling the southern ocean of Tasmania when a 20-foot wave upended him. Derek pressed 9-1-1 on his SPOT, then hung on to his kayak until rescuers arrived:

Watch the video.

SPOT smartly uses GPS to tell others where you are. You can transmit messages and your location via email and text message to friends, family, and— if necessary—emergency rescue teams. And that gives everyone peace of mind. Reliable, dutiful, and brilliant in a bad situation, SPOT has your back. Take it with you. SRP $169. www.findmespot.com.