When we lived in Cupertino, we were a short drive through redwoods to get to the Pacific.

The views along Rt 101 are un-earthly (well, un-midwesternly, anyway) - hidden sandy beaches, farming out to the cliffs which drop to the ocean, sparse pine groves, cows, weather-beaten farmhouses, surfers - all within a single mile.

We spent an anniversary at our favorite beach. I flew a kite, it was a good day.