The southernmost town in Mendocino County, Gualala also happens to have the most mispronounced name in Mendocino County. Keep the G soft and you end up with “wah-LAL-ah,” the Spanish version of walali, which is Pomo Indian patois for “water coming down place.” The water in question is the nearby Gualala River, a placid year-round playground for kayakers, canoers, and swimmers.

Once a lively logging town, Gualala has tamed considerably since the days loggers literally climbed the saloon walls with their spiked boots. Though a few real-life lumberjacks still end their day at the Gualala Hotel’s saloon, the coastal town’s main function these days is providing gas, groceries, and hardware for area residents. On the outskirts, however, are several excellent parks, beaches, and hiking trails; combine this with the region’s glorious seascapes, and suddenly little mispronounced Gualala emerges as a serious contender among the better vacation spots on the North Coast.

One of the most enjoyable activities on the California coast is river and sea kayaking, and the Gualala River is ideal for beginner kayakers. Adventure Rents (downtown Gualala in the Cantamare Center; 707/884-4386 or 888/881-4386; www.adventurerents.com) provides the necessary gear, instruction, and transportation of the kayaks and canoes to and from the river.

Of the six public beach access points along Highway 1 between Sea Ranch and Gualala, the one that offers the most bang for the $5 parking fee is the 195-acre Gualala Point Regional Park (707/785-2377). The park has 10 miles of trails through coastal grasslands, redwood forests, and river canyons, as well as picnic sites, camping areas, and excellent bird- and whale-watching along the mostly deserted beaches.