Kayak to a Private Beach

Head for Tomales Bay. Blue Waters Kayaking in Marshall offers hourly and overnight rentals, so you can explore this narrow, 15-mile waterway alongside Point Reyes National Seashore by day and pitch a tent among the egrets, osprey and terns at Marshall Beach by night. (Just watch that the tides don't tickle your toes.) Sir Francis Drake sailed past here 427 years ago, but no one motored his gear to his campsite like Blue Waters will do for you. If you prefer a day-trip, paddle to the beach — it's about an hour each way — and picnic on the sand. Bonus: A great place to pick up a pre-paddle sandwich is the Marshall Store, right next door to Blue Waters Kayaking. For more fancy fare, check out Café Reyes.

Marshall is 45 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1. Look for the Blue Waters Kayaking sign on the west side of the road. Cost is $45 for a 4-hour rental, $90 for overnight.