We want to hear from you! Send us a note.

Hop Off Here — Spring Adventures by Transit 🚆

Spring is here — and it’s the perfect time to get out and explore the Bay Area by bus and train. In this episode of Hop Off Here, we highlight easy, scenic, and accessible destinations you can reach without a car.

🌿 Hiking by Transit with Evan Tschuy

We kick things off with Evan Tschuy, creator of HikingByTransit.com, who shares why combining transit and hiking creates a more flexible — and often more rewarding — outdoor experience. From ridge hikes between Pacifica and San Bruno to coastal escapes and beach access along the Peninsula, Evan shows how your next trailhead might start with a bus ride.

🔗 Explore Evan’s guides: https://hikingbytransit.com/

🌼 Spring Destinations with Mahmoud Abunie

SamTrans Public Information Specialist Mahmoud Abunie walks us through his spring bucket list — five easy adventures you can take right now using SamTrans. From the SFO Bay Trail to Half Moon Bay and neighborhood parks, these trips are perfect for a quick outing or a full day of exploring.

🔗 Read the full blog:
https://www.samtrans.com/blog/2026/04/your-spring-bucket-list-starts-here-five-easy-samtrans-adventures

🌆 Destination Downtown with Stephanie T.

We wrap up in downtown Redwood City with Digital Communications Specialist Stephanie T., who shares insights from Caltrain’s Destination Downtown series. Learn how to turn any train trip into a walkable adventure — with dining, local gems, and vibrant downtown experiences just steps from the station.

🔗 Explore the series:
https://www.caltrain.com/caltrain-destinations

We want to hear from you! Send us a note.

Wheel Talk Podcast Guests (in order of appearance):

• Jeneane Crawford, Caltrans Distric 4 PIO for San Mateo County
  • US 101 / SR 92 Interchange Short Term Area Improvements Project
  • Caltrans Quickmap
• Jessica Manzi, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Director of Project Delivery
  • US 101 / SR 92 Interchange Direct Connector Project
• Max Mautner, Car-free San Mateo resident
  • 19th Avenue and Fashion Island Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project

Episode overview

The Highway 101 and 92 interchange is one of the busiest and most complex transportation hubs in the Bay Area — and it’s also the focus of several major projects that often get confused with one another.

In this episode of Wheel Talk, we break down three distinct transportation efforts connected to the interchange and surrounding communities, each with its own purpose and timeline.

First, we look at a safety and bottleneck improvement project already underway, designed to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow through known trouble spots. Caltrans Public Information Officer Jeneane Crawford explains what drivers can expect during construction and how success will be measured.

Next, we examine a proposed direct connectors project that could link Highway 92 with the 101 express lanes. Still under review, this proposal has raised important community questions. San Mateo County Transportation Authority Director of Project Delivery Jess Manzi responds to public concerns and clarifies where the project stands today.

Finally, we shift the focus from cars to people with a discussion of the Fashion Island Boulevard and 19th Avenue Multimodal Improvements Project. Car-free San Mateo Resident Max Mautner explores how rethinking this vehicle-focused corridor could improve safety and access for people walking, biking, rolling, and using transit.

Three projects. Different goals. One very busy interchange — and a clearer picture of how mobility is evolving along the Peninsula.

We want to hear from you! Send us a note.

(904) 867-4466

Send us an email:
wheeltalk@samtrans.com

Hop Off Here: Your ticket to exploring the Bay Area.

Our first stop is on the Coastside to explore Quarry Park in El Granada near Half Moon Bay. This San Mateo County Parks gem offers trails and coastal views. Best of all, SamTrans Ride Plus can take you there with free transfers from routes 117 and 294.

Ranger Tommy Hart shares his insights for exploring this activity-packed destination.

Sports & Concerts

November is packed with games and concerts:

• Football: The 49ers vs. Rams and 49ers vs. Panthers matchups at Levi’s Stadium are easy to reach by Caltrain to Mountain View and a quick hop on VTA Light Rail.
• College Football: Take Caltrain or SamTrans to see the Stanford Cardinal at three home games in November, including the Big Game — Cal vs Stanford — on Saturday, Nov. 22.
• Soccer: The 2025 NWSL Championship comes to PayPal Park on Nov. 22, just a short walk from Santa Clara Station.
• Hockey & Hoops: The San Jose Sharks face off at SAP Center, and the Golden State Warriors light up Chase Center — both an easy Caltrain ride away.

Music fans can look forward to a November with Shane Gillis and Billie Eilish at the Chase Center in SF, and Bryan Adams, Pat Benatar, Christian Nodal, Ramón Ayala, and Banda MS performing at SAP Center in San Jose.

Food and Drink

We roll into Redwood City to speak with Verónica Escámez, founder of Casa Círculo Cultural, about pan de muerto.

Verónica's favorite bakeries (note — slightly different than spoken-word version):

• Panadería Michoacana #2 – 2940 Middlefield Rd.
• Chavez – 775 Arguello St.
• Mi Tienda – 812 Fifth Ave., North Fair Oaks

Visit Redwood City’s Día de Muertos Celebration, Sunday, Nov. 2.

Other Events

• Daly City Veterans Day Celebration
  – Nov. 6, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., War Memorial Community Center (via SamTrans ECR)
• San Francisco Veterans Day Parade
  – Nov. 9, Fisherman’s Wharf (Caltrain + Muni 30-Stockton)
• San Jose Veterans Day Parade
  – Nov. 11, San Jose (walkable from Diridon Station)