Beach Blanket Buffet

THE HIKE: Beach, blanket, food. If this is your ideal trio, then a daytrip to Point Reyes and the nearby town of Point Reyes Station makes a nice picnic combo. A 1.5-mile flat hike to Abbotts Lagoon is just enough to work up an appetite. Mid-way through, blackberry bushes line the trail, and right now they're ripe! On windy days, lay a blanket on the leeward side of the large sand dunes at the lagoon. When the wind isn't kickin', keep going past the lagoon for another .5 mile to the beach. (Watch for nesting snow plovers; they enjoy this spot too.) After feasting on picnic fare, walk along the beach in search of sand dollars. They're not hard to find and make great window-ledge décor.

THE EDIBLES: In Point Reyes Station pick up some smooth and rich cheese at Cowgirl Creamery (sample tasting is encouraged!) and get the bread around the corner at Bovine Bakery. Expect to stand in line for a few minutes at both places; they're worth the wait.

Directions to Abbotts Lagoon: From Hwy 1 in Point Reyes Station, follow Sir Francis Drake Hwy west toward the lighthouse. A couple of miles after the town of Inverness, go right onto Pierce Point Rd. Follow this a few miles until you reach the Abbotts Lagoon trailhead on the left. No dogs at Abbotts Lagoon. Dogs are allowed at Kehoe Beach; the trailhead is a couple of miles past Abbotts Lagoon on Pierce Point Rd.

Cowgirl Creamery, 80 Fourth St., Point Reyes Station; 415-663-9335. Open from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends.

Bovine Bakery, 11315 Shoreline Hwy., Point Reyes Station; 415-663-9420. Open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m on weekends.