Stinson Beach

So close to San Francisco, but yet so different! On a tongue of sand half an hour north of the city, this is a small town full of people who have swapped the hectic urban lifestyle for a more relaxing pace of life. There are houses built right on top of the sand, and the hill behind the beach is a great place for paragliding. The beach has a huge expanse of sand, but it can be very foggy in summer, and the water is always cold. Still, it's a great place to go for a walk and get some fresh air.