Sunday beach romp

You know that moment when you´re driving out in the country head-ing west, and your dog gets that first whiff of sea air? Her head pops up and the nose works triple time. You (and your dog) will have one of those moments if you head over to Dillon Beach in the far northwest corner of Marin (which makes it an easy trip for dog lovers in Petaluma and Sebastopol, too).

One of the bonuses of a trip to Dillon Beach, which is privately owned, is the drive itself. One recent Sunday I enjoyed the stun-ningly beautiful sight of valleys in two counties while winding my way to the coast. I passed cows and sheep grazing the hillsides, which added to this quintessential west Marin scene.

Once at Dillon Beach, you will pay a $5 per-car entry fee (more for vans) to park close to the water. You can enjoy a picnic at one of the tables either before or after your walk, most likely after, since your dog will want to run off right away to splash in the surf and make friends. Dogs are allowed off leash at Dillon Beach, which is just one of its many benefits. On this trip, my mutt played with a Jack Russell-Chihuahua mix, a Standard Poodle, a romping Spaniel, and an elderly Viszla. The beach sand is white and

soft, and you can walk a good distance south with your pup.

Dillon Beach can be very windy so don´t forget to carry a windbreaker, hat, and sunglasses for protection. A supply of doggy bags is also essential.

After your romp, you might want to take a short drive up the coast to Bodega Bay or south to Tomales for lunch or coffee, if you didn´t picnic at the beach.

On your travels, don´t forget to keep an eye out for bicyclists. For most of my trip I shared the road more with them than cars. Oh, and do not forget to keep the windows down as you make your way back home so your dog can enjoy the blend of ocean and country air.