Expansive as the Stanford campus may be — and busy bees that we sometimes are — it can be nice to leave the Farm for the wide world that exists outside Stanford’s palm-tree-lined walkways. The following is a chronological log of the road-trips I took with a friend this summer — with destinations boasting driving times of an hour or less from campus.

Without further adieu...

The Redwood Room Lounge

Distance and time: Located in San Francisco, about 32 miles away from the Oval. Take Interstate-280 North to the King Street exit, go left on 3rd, and left again on Geary Street Drive. Approximately one hour, including time to find parking.

If you were to walk by, you wouldn’t know what you were missing inside The Redwood Room because there is no indication of its existence on the street. But we have decided to share this secret — the lounge is on the corner of Geary and Taylor, inside the large, unmarked, swinging doors of the Clift Hotel, across the street from the Warwick Hotel.

I felt as though as was being watched by the walls in the rich, red-laden, dark yet glowing room. Beautiful women in black cocktail dresses and men in well-tailored suits were not the only ones with their eyes on us. There was something about the walls ... the paintings. After 20 minutes, I saw a figure in a portrait blink and realized that the art was not painted from oils, swept smooth centuries ago. Instead, seven flat plasma screens stream ghost-like videos of various characters watching the observer.

A careful ear will hear five languages and a trained palate will enjoy the finest of food and drink. I cannot speak highly enough of the chair in The Living Room.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Distance and time: Also located in San Francisco, about 55 miles from the Oval. Take I-280 North. Follow signs to Highway 101, which turns into the Golden Gate Bridge. Cross the bridge and take the first exit. Park at the Vista Point. Approximately 47 minutes ... with pirates at the helm.

First word on our Lady Golden — and I feel a bit guilty offering this advice, which I have never taken — walk it after you park. Don’t hesitate to walk on the Pacific side, if the sun is shining and the ocean isn’t blanketed by the famous San Franciscan fog. Ignore the signs asking you to cross on the opposite pedestrian side; the yelps from hostile bicyclists are worth the sight of the open, sailboat-free water.

On our visit it was too chilly for a stroll. Next time, we’ll bring something warmer. Stanford entrepreneurs with a penchant for sweat shirts, take note of the prospering industry ... those who cater to naive tourists do well.

Exiting the Vista Point, go North on Highway 101, take the Mar Monte exit and follow signs to 101 South. On your way back South, take the very last exit before the bridge, which will point you towards the Headlands. An abandoned army camp sits atop a hill, nose to nose with the Golden Gate towers, offering a sweeping view of the

city, as well as a spook for those who venture up the path at night. Truth or dare? Dare: play hide and go seek in the abandoned corridors.

Just over the hill is Chronchite Beach. Speaking of beaches . . .

Half Moon Bay

Distance and time: Take I-280 North, exit onto 92 West and drive for about 32 minutes to Half Moon Bay, about 22 miles north of the Oval.

I was surprised by how quickly we arrived at the town of Half Moon Bay. I would take my books there and study for an afternoon, without feeling guilty for wasting time or petrol. It is a beautiful drive. Small plant nurseries line the road and at this time of year you can purchase pumpkins or strawberries sold at the end of small dirt driveways. We bought ours from an ancient, tattered Italian named Domenico and promised to come back soon. But we haven’t yet had the chance. If you see him, tell him we’ll be by in no time.

We had barely crossed the San Andreas Fault when we drove over the wooded hills and saw the beach. You need not have a specific plan when venturing to Half Moon Bay. There are a few very cozy coffee shops in the downtown area and beaches at the end of every westerly road.

When Highway 92 ends at Half Moon Bay, go South on Highway 1 if you would like to continue to our next stop — Santa Cruz. On the way, you will surely notice intriguing dirt pull-outs on the beach side of the road. Pull over when you feel compelled. Climb out on the cliffside; there lies the raging sea.

Santa Cruz

Distance and time from Half Moon Bay: Take Highway 1 South for about 60 miles, which will take approximately an hour.

Distance and time from the Oval: Take 280 South and then head West on Highway 17 at the junction. You’ll travel about 46 miles, which will take roughly 45 minutes.

The other day we were sitting at a small cafe in downtown Palo Alto when an unexpected visitor joined us for espresso. He was from Santa Cruz and I think he was not atypical of the town. From Italy, he was living on the California coast, surfing and designing jewelry — he seemed to me to be quite the epicurean. And, he invited us dancing — they do that down there.

This is why we visit Santa Cruz: For the people. When we got there, we stopped to listen to a man named David sing us a half hour’s worth of original love tunes. We asked him how long he played each night and he said, “Until I’ve made $4.”

Also in downtown Santa Cruz on Pacific Avenue is Chocolate, a cafe that serves four types of hot chocolate (we recommend the Sofia), a hat shop (perfect for the horse races) and a vintage clothing store called Cognito at the far end. The beach culture surrounding Santa Cruz is magical, not to mention the surf.

Skyline Boulevard

Distance and time: Very close.

If you are feeling restless, and you have a car (or a friend with a car), it is not difficult to catch a breath of fresh air off campus. We are surrounded by hills. Driving North on I-280, exit on Highway 92 West and then go left onto Highway 35, commonly known as Skyline Boulevard. I’ve heard rumor of bikers that make this trek on a regular basis to admire the winding, wooded wilderness found there. Some pause at the bottom of one of the many hills to have a relaxed bite at Alice’s Restaurant — you can’t miss it.

As an added bonus, on the way up I-280 there are two Vista Points which offer beautiful views of the pristine and wooded San Andreas Fault Reservoir.