Nothing soothes the soul like the gentle rocking of a train as it clatters over the rails. In need of a brief getaway in these economically pinched times, the Caltrain line down the Peninsula presents a nice option. The return fare to Redwood City from San Francisco is only $8.50 and it's a nice excursion with some fascinating history at your destination. Housed in the beautifully restored 1910 County Courthouse, the San Mateo County History Museum is well worth a visit. The building itself is stunning and loitering in the sunny plaza in front of the courthouse is a great way to dream away the time until your train carries you back to the big city, or you could stop in for a bite at the Courthouse Cafe next door. A mini vacation for the price of a movie!
