Sea shells, more at the sea shore

The fishing boat 'Point Reyes' on the west shore of Tomales Bay. (Mark Aranoff/2002)

Cool, salty air. Sand between your toes. Steaming bowls of clam chowder. Those are good reasons to head to the beach right now. But the best reason? The North Coast is usually clear, with little fog to ruin the sunset.

Point Reyes National Seashore is criss-crossed by breathtaking hiking trails, while nearby Tomales Bay accommodates paddlers of all ages. Blue Waters Kayaking (bwkayak.com ) launches tours from Marshall and Inverness.

On Saturday mornings, stop by the Point Reyes Station Farmers Market and Toby’s Feed Barn for chef demos and live music. Dip into the local dairy scene by taking a cheese-making class Sept. 14 at The Fork at Point Reyes, or sign up for a farm dinner there on Sept. 26. (theforkatpointreyes.com ).

Looking for mollusks? You can eat your fill at Tomales Bay Oyster Company, which offers a picnic area for small groups dotted with barbecues. When happy hour rolls around, snag a beer and watch the sunset from the retro Boat Shack at the end of the pier at Nick’s Cove in Marshall. Still hungry? Grab a table inside the restaurant, famous for its Crab Mac’n’Cheese.

The historic fishing village of Bodega Bay also serves as an ideal base camp for a salty sojourn. Spy egrets and ospreys at the Bird Walk Coastal Access trail, discover sea creatures in the tidepools of Doran Beach and reach hiking nirvana along the rugged cliffs at Bodega Head.

Seafarers can rent a kayak from Bodega Bay Kayak (bodegabaykayak.com ) or sign up for a sport fishing trip to try their luck at hooking salmon, rock cod, ling cod or albacore.

Spud Point Crab Company on Westshore Road serves up memorable bowls of clam chowder for lunch, and Gourmet Au Bay invites your to surf through their wines. Taste on the back patio while the sun sets, then grab a bottle for dinner.

There’s oceanfront dining at the Bluewater Bistro at Bodega Harbor and the Duck Club, and global fare at the Michelin-starred Terrapin Creek in the Blue Whale Shopping Center.