Along the southern coast, the waters of Drake’s Beach can be as tranquil and serene as Point Reyes’s are turbulent. Locals come here to sun and picnic; occasionally a hearty soul ventures into the cold waters. Keep in mind, though, that storms generally come inland from the south and almost always hit Drake’s before moving north or south. A powerful weather front can turn wispy waves into torrential tides. Note: The waters in these areas are bone chilling, home to a vast array of sea life, including sharks, and dangerously unpredictable, with strong waves and riptides, untended by lifeguards; in other words, swimming is inadvisable.