The Salt Point State Park entrance may be just 19 miles from Jenner, but plan on a 40-minute drive, with some hairpin turns and the inevitable slow RV. There are some fun stops on the way, too ...

On a trail within Salt Point State Park about 90 miles north of San Francisco, Brooke Bingham reaches into a plastic bag and pulls out a giant matsutake mushroom. Then an even bigger coral mushroom.

About 25 miles north of the town of Jenner lies Salt Point State Park, providing easy access to the water and a beautiful stretch of coastline. Highway 1 divides the park, and with camping on both ...

Undisturbed, I explored the park's pygmy forest and adjacent Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve without a thought to the precarious location, where many a treacherous wave has slammed the shoreline.

Turn right and drive 5.5 miles to the junction (from left) with Highway 1. Continue straight ahead on Highway 1 for 36.5 miles (past Bodega Bay and Jenner) to Salt Point State Park.