Doran Beach Rd, Bodega Bay

On the one hand, a small part of my soul dies every time I have to pay $6 to go to any kind of nature - whether it is a state park, a beach, or anything in between. Doran Regional Park offers a good trade-off, though - a well-maintained beach with clean(ish) public restrooms, campsites (for an additional fee), barbecue pits, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. This is not necessarily a surfer's beach, as the waves are small (and no self-respecting surfer would pay $6 a pop to go to the beach), but it is a great place for families.

The biggest bonus would be if they could do something about the water temperatures - Northern California is not exactly known for the great swimming in the ocean. But otherwise, it is a great beach to take the kids to for the day that is relatively low-traffic and close to a nice town.

Doran Beach Road is, in some ways, the ideal beach town road. It is secluded but centrally located, and leads to a beautiful beach on the Pacific Ocean that is filled with families and groups picnicking, barbecuing, playing frisbee, and even, occasionally, getting in the water (this is Northern California, after all). While the waves are flat, there is plenty of activity in the area.

The road is also very low in traffic, and is located close to the town, which has some great seafood restaurants, although the nightlife is severely lacking. Bodega Bay itself also offers some unique activities, like windsurfing and kite boarding.

The biggest downfall is that it is not very visible if you are driving northbound on the 1 (which most people are) - and if you miss it, you are required to turn into the Bodega Bay visitors' center in order to turn around and get there. But if that is the price to pay for so little traffic, then, umm...it's worth it!