"Temporary Trail Closure to Dogs" sign on the trail down to Sutro Baths (1896) due to Sutro Sam the river otter's unusual visit.

Near Merrie Way, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California: 21 January 2013

Generally known for being cute, playful and curious, the North American river otter inhabits inland waterways and coastal areas in the Pacific Northwest, New England and Atlantic states, the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska and Canada.

They are also known to live in parts of northern California but in recent years have been spotted closer to the San Francisco Bay Area, including Muir Woods, Tennessee Cove, Rodeo Lagoon and elsewhere along the Marin Headlands.

In order to study, better understand and provide public outreach on the river otter's habitat ecology and conservation status there, the River Otter Ecology Project was established in February 2012.

The Marin County-based project has logged over 200 sightings, including one that would make headlines and help publicize the non-profit's work. In late September 2012, volunteers noticed a rare sight—a river otter at the Sutro Baths ruins, the first such observation in San Francisco in at least fifty years.

Before long, news spread of the Sutro Baths river otter and the one-to-four-year-old male got the nickname "Sutro Sam", an unofficial Twitter account, paintings of himself, a leading role in a children's book and possibly too much in-person attention from humans and canines.

Concerned for the health of Sutro Sam, a wild animal living in a popular tourist and local attraction, the River Otter Ecology Project worked with the National Park Service at Golden Gate National Recreation Area who posted signs warning of the unusual presence and temporarily restricting access.

Over the course of the next months, Sutro Sam spent time sunning himself on the ruins, dredging the muddy bottom of the pool and eating carp, fish and later on water birds like ducks.

Given the proximity, I had scheduled to follow our visit at 3 Fish Studios on Monday, 21 January 2013 with a trip to Sutro Baths. I wanted to show Marc the area, take photographs, and yes, perhaps catch a glimpse of Sutro Sam myself.

There were a few other people who had obviously come to Sutro Baths to do just that. I do not know if they were successful, but Sutro Sam did not make any appearances during our time there.

The last sighting of Sutro Sam was on Saturday, 23 February 2013. In the weeks leading up to his final appearance, volunteers had noticed he was catching fewer and smaller fish.

Either that lack of food or his natural instinct to find a mate are the likely causes for his departure according to Megan Isadore, co-founder and director of outreach and education for the project.

To view some great photographs of Sutro Sam like this one, browse these sets by Jouko van der Kruijssen and Natures Lantern.

The Marin Headlands, Mile Rock Lighthouse (1906) and the Golden Gate Bridge's (1937) northern tower from the Sutro Baths Upper Trail just north of the Sutro Baths (1896) ruins.

Near Merrie Way, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California: 21 January 2013

A bicyclist sits atop the northern peak of Twin Peaks looking out over San Francisco on a clear day.

Near Twin Peaks Boulevard, San Francisco, California: 20 January 2013

On Wednesday, 30 January 2013, I had an opportunity to visit Google headquarters in Mountain View for a brief tour. Marc and I were to meet up with his friend and our host Matt for lunch.

We first drove to the quad on North Whisman Road and picked up Christan at Google Building QD6, next door to Symantec and just up the way from Roger's Deli—great breakfast, sandwiches and freshly baked breads.

We arrived in the midst of lunch hour, making parking difficult. Google offers a free valet parking service at the Googleplex and there were lines at each of the three valet stations we visited. However, all valet lots were full and we were directed to the subterranean parking garage. It did not take long to see that it too was completely full.

I ended up finding free street parking on Landings Drive near Building 1965. This worked out well since our first stop was the triad of Buildings 1900, 1950 and 2000 located nearby on the other side of Charleston Road.

We gathered a few more Googlers and headed east toward Building 40, crossing a small pedestrian bridge over Permanente Creek. After a quick stop at a small office where Matt signed Marc and I in as guests, we put on our white badges and continued.

It was extremely crowded as we entered Building 40 and made our way through the main corridor. Even more crowded was the food-court-style room filled with restaurants of varied cuisines and where everything is free. I filled my tray with items from several eateries, grabbed a drink and made a beeline for the exit away from the crowds.

Like most of the days on this trip, the weather was beautiful so the outside tables were at a premium. We managed to find a one that was too small, but we made it work anyway. After all, we were hungry and several members of our party were due in meetings shortly.

Meandering through the complex, it is amazing to see how many people work here. Some 3,500 staffers commute in daily from San Francisco, Marin, East Bay and other nearby areas on the free Google Shuttle coach service. To help people move about the various buildings that make up the Googleplex, colorfully painted bicycles are available for use.

As far as the well-known tourist attractions, we saw Stan, the life-sized Tyrannosaurus Rex replica skeleton; the replica of suborbital air-launched spaceplane SpaceShipOne; a neat Google Earth demo with huge LCD televisions arranged in a circle around the console; and the Android lawn statues.

It was fun, different and I enjoyed myself, but it was really just an office complex. We let everyone get back to work, gave a few people lifts to other Google buildings and then headed back to Sunnyvale.

Exterior sign for The Trident illuminated on the side of the building near decorative lighting.

558 Bridgeway, Sausalito, California: 29 January 2013

As mentioned previously, my birthday in the bay area was planned to be a relaxing and fun day of nature, trails and photography.

We got an early start on Tuesday, 29 January and began at Muir Woods National Park. After lunch, we continued to Mount Tamalpais State Park and enjoyed amazing views of the entire region from the East Peak at 2,571 feet.

The next destination was dinner and we were ready for it. I had set out to pick the perfect location on 30 December 2012 so that I could make a reservation a month in advance, not to mention cross this off on the trip preparation checklist.

View the entire The Trident photograph set in SFO2013 on Flickr

There were a few characteristics that I was looking for in potential restaurants, which I thought might make this difficult. First, since we were spending the day in Marin County, it seemed only logical to dine in Sausalito. With that in mind, I focused on places along the waterfront featuring scenic views.

Numerous options were eliminated rather quickly. Menus not in English or featuring unrecognizable food items were easy to dismiss (think fancy French and Italian eateries). Other places with acceptable menus and price ranges unfortunately also required fancier dress.

We were going to be outside all day, walking through the woods, hiking trails and other non-suit situations. I did not fancy the idea of bringing a change of clothes; plus, who wants to suit up after a day of hiking without a shower? That was when I found and read more about The Trident at 558 Bridgeway.

Located in the original San Francisco Yacht Club building (1898), The Trident has a rich history from its beginnings as a jazz club called Yacht Dock in 1960. Later in 1966 as the hippie movement took over, Yacht Dock was renamed The Trident and underwent a "major groovification." Notable patrons of the time included regular Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, Joan Baez, Clint Eastwood and Bill Cosby.

Despite closing in 1980 and being replaced by Horizons restaurant, The Trident was given new life and reopened in November 2012. The building was renovated to include a second-level deck but "most of the custom built wooden interior and the 1960s ceiling mural painted by artist David Richards" remain intact. A menu from the still groovy early 1970s now hangs framed in the hallway as you enter the restaurant.

My strict criteria notwithstanding, I was able to find the perfect location in The Trident. Their menu is one of an upper-end restaurant with prices and service quality to match, but have a casual dress code. The tables along the windows, including our Table 82, have seats on one side only. It was a little chilly this night, but next time I will sit outside on the bay-facing deck.

We arrived early but were seated immediately and quickly tended to by a nice waiter. We started with Fried Calamari served with cocktail and tartar sauce ($14) and glasses of 2010 Highway 12 Cabernet Sauvignon ($11). Delicious loaves of bread with butter were also delivered and replenished several times.

For dinner, Marc ordered the Golden Gate All Natural Burger ($14) with mushrooms ($2) while I went with the Mahi-Mahi catch of the day special served with potatoes and vegetables ($29). Everything was delicious. The waiter even commented on our extremely clean plates afterward.

I usually end birthday dinners with a cocktail such as whiskey on the rocks, but instead went with a Yacht Club Stella Artois ($7.75) since I was driving. When making the reservation via OpenTable, I noted that this was to be my birthday celebration. As such, we were surprised with a Flourless Lava Cake dessert served with fresh fruits and vanilla ice cream ($8) on the house.

After settling up and but before heading to our final stops in the Marin Headlands, we went to the deck to enjoy the view outside and shoot photos.

The evening at The Trident was perfect and at about $100 for two before gratuity, perfectly reasonable considering how much food we had consumed. I will definitely return some time, preferably before sunset on a warm clear day.

Illuminated homes on South Street, Edwards Avenue and Hi Vista Road just south of The Trident reflecting in the bay.

558 Bridgeway, Sausalito, California: 29 January 2013

Looking north on the aptly named Pole Line Road as the skies over Davis begin to clear.

2800 block of Pole Line Road, Davis, California: 25 January 2013

Pigeon Point Lighthouse (1872) and dusk over the Pacific Ocean reflected in the passenger side mirror with grass and the rocky shore beyond.

Near 210 Pigeon Point Road, Pescadero, California: 30 January 2013

Thirty-second exposure from Twin Peaks of Sutro Tower (1972), Jupiter and the stars.

Christmas Tree Point Road, San Francisco, California: 31 January 2013