North of San Francisco lies a stretch of California coastline that nobody ever tells you about. Locals play sly. And tourists? It rarely crosses their radar. But it's road-trip country at its best, checking all the right boxes from secret beaches to neck-craning views to oysters sold right at the bayside farms growing them. It takes two leisurely days to complete this jaunt, but the region's laid-back vibes and unhurried pace will make those two feel like a week--at least. Start by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, and you're well on your way.
Sausalito's floating community is more than 400 houseboats strong.
Water World, Cali-Style
If a road trip is only as good as its pit stops, you know this one is guaranteed to be great because Sausalito's floating homes are no run-of-the-mill roadside attraction. Pull off Hwy 101, park the car in the open-to-all lot, and unholster your camera: These color-packed abodes sport the kind of maritime-theme add-ons that only a bunch of endearingly quirky houseboats could: weathered spy tours, portholes, bows in lieu of porches. (Pro tip: September 12, 2015 is the Floating Homes Association's
, during which several homeowners open up their pads for voyeuristic visitors.)
A mix of mailboxes marks the turn for Muir Beach.
At low tide expect major tide-pool action around Muir Beach's rocky edge.
A Secret, Stunning Coastal Hike
After a series of scenic switchbacks past eucalyptus groves, organic farms, and viewpoints you'll undoubtedly want to pull over for, you'll arrive at Muir Beach. It's a pretty little scoop of sand cupped between a hillside community and a set of serious cliffs. But it's not the reason you're here. The wildly beautiful nine-mile hiking loop from here to Tennessee Valley is. Scamper up the cliffs (the hike evens out after your initial ascent), and when the trail forks, head right, hugging the ocean. With the epic edge-of-the-world feel, it's like a thrill ride you walk.
Endless, neck-craning views await.
Muir Beach's flora is a mash-up of low-lying shrubs and wind-catching cattails.
On the drive you'll spot as many barns as you will boats.
The layers of pepperoni, mushrooms, and chunks of fresh garlic topping Cafe Reyes' Farallon pizza are the stuff of tastebud fantasies.
The Perfect Apres-Hike Eats
No question, pizza and beer need to be on the menu, and the brick-oven pies and pours a little further north at
in Point Reyes Station are downright delicious. Plus, the convivial servers dish out inside tips for free (like the fact that the pastries at nearby
are insanely good). Snag, if you can, one of the outside tables (bonus points if you score one of the two under the shaded arbor) and order up.
The stilted cabins at Nick's Cove are like California's answer to Bora Bora's overwater bungalows.
A Hotel You'll Never Want to Leave
Even if there was absolutely nothing else of interest within a hundred-mile radius,
is cool enough to warrant the trip alone. First the welcome: Other spots give you little waters (if you're lucky), Nick's gives you a cocktail and platter of barbecue oysters. Next, the rooms (ahem, try standalone cabins): There are 12, with five over the water, the other seven with killer bay views, and all with a high-low, rustic-chic charm that'll have you kicking back on your porch with sandy toes and a cold beer one minute, and soaking in your sinfully huge copper tub the next. And, finally, the restaurant: It's a charismatic community hub that feels like a cross between a salty-dog dive and hunting lodge, only the food's superb. Go late, after the crowds clear out, go for a window seat, and go easy on the oysters (there are many in your future tomorrow).
Walk down to the end of this pier at Nick's Cove and you'll find THE spot for pre-dinner drinks, complete with a piano inside.
Even the cows are cuter in this neck of the woods.
A common scene here: Boats bobbing hypnotically in the gentle waves.
All the oysters served around here are pulled right out of the bay in front of you.
The Freshest Oysters Ever
After breakfast (a basket of pastries, fresh fruit, hot coffee), bid adieu to Nick's and head south to the pint-size town of Marshall. Stop by the
and grab a bag of oysters. Now, you can commandeer one of Tomales' first-come, first-serve picnic tables, but the smart road-tripper hops back in the car and cruises down the coast about half a mile to Millerton Point, and its always--astoundingly--nearly empty beach. Of course this means you need oyster-shucking accoutrements and fixings on hand. Bring them with you, grab them while you're at Tomales Bay, or pop into
before you hit Tomales. Your mission for the day: Shuck, slurp, sunbathe. Repeat.
From here it's a picturesque drive down the coast that'll put you back at the Golden Gate right around picture-perfect sunset hour.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.