Middle Rd, California

On a nice, sunny weekend, everyone in Northern California gravitates to the coast - Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, Stinson Beach, Point Reyes. While these places are absolutely stunning and very user-friendly, they tend to get overcrowded and result in unwanted traffic. The exception to the rule is Western Sonoma County, where the sun is shining and the crowds tend not to be. Valley Ford Road offers one of the best beach drives that no one has ever heard of. Why? Because NO ONE is there!

This route, just off of 101, is the best way to Bodega Bay, which offers stunning cliffside views and hikes, kite boarding, wind surfing, abalone diving, and great seafood. For a place that has just as many attractions, you would think it would be a tough spot to get to. But because of the underpopulated nature of Petaluma and Western Sonoma County, Valley Ford Road remains virtually unblocked. The drive itself is nondescript, through some green rolling hills and lots of cow pastures. But if you are looking for a beach escape, even if you are coming from further south in the Bay Area, the drive can be worth it!