Beauty and the Beach

Point Reyes Station strikes a fine balance between backyard wilderness, small town charm, and big city taste. For a walk in the wild, start the day with a long stroll on Point Reyes' Limantour Beach, a narrow spit of land that's over 2 miles in length. With its endless ocean vistas, abundant bird life, and heaving tides, Limantour Beach invites you to walk all day on its sands. Dogs love this place at least as much as humans, yelping as they dash up to the waves and retreat. As a south-facing beach, Limantour basks in sunshine until late in the afternoon. Good tidings for all.

After your beach stroll, make the 20-minute trek to Point Reyes Station. There's no holiday rush here, and that's just the way the town likes it. For a trove of great home and garden gifts, pop into Flower Power (11275 Hwy 1). If you like photography in the style of Ansel Adams, check out the classic black and white landscape photographs of the North Bay at Marty Knapp Photo Gallery (11245 Hwy 1). Kids on your list? Pick up some original gifts at Into the Blue (11101 Hwy 1), a kite, toy, and games store. After working up an appetite, The Pine Cone Diner (60 4thSt.) hits the spot with a mix of classic diner décor and food made from locally grown ingredients.

TIP: For some tasty holiday food sampling, swing by two Point Reyes Station classics: Cowgirl Creamery (80 4th St.) and Bovine Bakery (11315 Hwy 1). Season's treatings!

To reach Limantour Beach from Point Reyes' Bear Valley Visitor Center: Make a left on Bear Valley Rd., and make another left on Limantour Rd. Follow it all the way to the end, park, and walk 5 minutes to the beach. It can get very windy here. Dog-friendly on the southeast section of the beach!