About 16 miles north of Bodega Bay on Highway 1 is what seems to be every Northern Californian’s “secret” getaway spot: Jenner. Built on a bluff rising from the mouth of the Russian River, the tiny seaside town consists of little more than a gas station, three restaurants, two inns, and a deli, which means the only thing to do in town is eat, sleep, and lie on the beach—not a bad vacation plan. It is also two hours closer to the Bay Area than Mendocino, yet offers the same spectacular coastal scenery and a far better selection of beaches.

The sandbar at beautiful Goat Rock Beach (707/875-3483), a breeding ground for harbor seals, becomes a major seasonal attraction during pupping season—March through May. Seals give birth on land, and orange-vested volunteers are usually around to protect the playful mammals, answer questions, and even lend binoculars for a closer look.

A serpentine 12-mile drive north of Jenner on Highway 1 takes you to the Fort Ross State Historic Park (707/847-3286; www.parks.ca.gov), a fortress built by Russian fur traders in 1812. The fort’s distinctive structures, including a stockade, a Russian Orthodox chapel, and the commandant’s house, have been replicated and restored. Short history lessons are offered in the Fort Compound (call ahead for times).

A great day trip from Jenner is the scenic drive along Highway 101 to Salt Point State Park (707/847-3221). There are 3,500 acres to explore and all kinds of things to do, including free diving off rocky beaches, tide pooling, and hiking through coastal woodlands. Simply pull the car over anywhere along Highway 1 and start walking. At the north end of the park on Kruse Ranch Road is the 317-acre Kruse Rhododendron Preserve (707/847-3221), a forested grove of plants that grow up to 18 feet tall under a vast canopy of redwoods. Masses of vivid pink and purple flowers appear in early spring. Peak blooming time varies, but April is usually the month to see the world’s tallest Rhododendron californicum.