The road from San Francisco to Stinson Beach is windy and quite stunning. The traffic can get quite slow at weekends but it is only 20 miles from SF so you can still do a half day there easily.

If you can do it in a convertible, or on a motorbike, so much the better; it is completely glorious having the wind in your hair up there. Just make sure your driver knows how to handle turns!

The beach is long and never seems too crowded; the town itself is tiny and there are only a couple of seaside restaurants, of which the Sand Dollar and Parkside are the best known.

Be sure to stop whenver you see a sign for an overlook; the view will definitely be worth it.