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☀️ Hop Off Here — Summer 2026 Edition

Summer is here, and there's no better time to explore the Bay Area by transit. In this episode of Hop Off Here, we discover how buses, trains, bikes and ferries can help you experience some of the region's best destinations and biggest celebrations—without the hassle of driving.

🚲 Bike + Transit Adventures

Randol speaks with Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Clarrissa Cabansagan to talk about why bikes and transit are the perfect combination. Learn how transit can expand your riding adventures, discover favorite Peninsula routes, and hear about the Silicon Valley Bike Summit.

Learn more about the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition:
https://bikesiliconvalley.org/

🌈 Pride by Transit

Next, Randol welcomes Jamie Vizmanos, Digital Communications Specialist for SamTrans, and Jason Dayvault, Business Operations Project Manager for Caltrain, to discuss Pride celebrations happening across the Bay Area—and how transit makes it easy to experience them.

This year's conversation includes:

• The first-ever regional transit collaboration at the San Francisco Pride Parade
• Caltrain's Pride celebration at San Francisco Station
• SamTrans' Pride-themed bus
• Easy transit connections to Pride events throughout the region

Pride celebrations featured in this episode:

• San Francisco Pride — June 27–28
• Oakland Pride — Sunday, Aug. 16
• Silicon Valley Pride (San Jose) — Aug. 29–30
• Russian River Pride (Guerneville) — Saturday, Sept. 19

🚌 SamTrans Turns 50

Finally, Randol talks with Tasha Bartholomew, Director of Communications for the San Mateo County Transit District about the agency's 50th anniversary celebration.

Learn about:

• Free rides on all SamTrans services on Wednesday, July 1, including fixed-route buses, Ride Plus, Redi-Wheels and RediCoast
• The SamTrans 50th Anniversary Community Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the new SamTrans headquarters adjacent to the Millbrae Transit Center—easy to reach by SamTrans, Caltrain and BART.

Learn more about SamTrans' 50th Anniversary:
https://www.samtrans.com/50

💬 We'd love to hear from you!

Have a favorite transit-friendly destination, hidden gem, bike ride, festival or question about exploring the Bay Area without a car?

Send us your ideas using the contact information in our show notes—you might hear your suggestion featured on a future episode of Hop Off Here.

Thanks for riding with us!

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.