alainr

We are looking for someplace to go for 2 nites w/i 2 hours north of Palo Alto with our sons in their 20s. we don't want to drive too much. We know big sur/carmel etc and so want to head north past San Fran.
I looked at the bodega bay inn--but i don't know if there is anything to do there. the receptionist was not helpful about beach walks.
everyone is ready to relax from work- would like great beach walks, maybe easy bike rides; good scenary.
I looked at sea ranch but it wld be a longer drive and we would leave friday am and have to get back to palo alto on sunday.

boom_boom

Look at the Point Reyes National Seashore area. Lots of hiking choices. Lodging choices aren't as numerous as Bodega Bay, there was nearby places the should work for you.

happytrailstoyou

Point Reyes is a great idea.

I don't remember Bodega Bay being much fun except for the locations Hitchcock used in "The Birds."

Fort Ross State Historic Park, north of Jenner, is an interesting window on the not-so-well-known history of Russians in California.

You could do a loop drive, returning via the Sonoma Valley where my favorite town is Healdsburg.

Otis_B_Driftwood

Bodega Bay is a good choice. There are miles and miles of beaches just to the north.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=451

Bodega Bay has a better selection of hotel style accommodations than Point Reyes and some very good restaurants. It's also a short drive to other Sonoma County attractions in case it's foggy on the coast whereas Point Reyes is more isolated.

There's also a very nice golf course overlooking the sea in Bodega Bay if that's your thing.

Other options include the San Mateo Coast or Santa Cruz. If I was still in my 20's, Santa Cruz might be more desirable than Bodega Bay which is primarily a retirement community.

What time of year are you doing this?

Diamantina

You did not mention if you had explored Highway One north of the Bay Bridge before. You might consider booking a motel, inn, or hotel in Mill Valley or Sausalito (right across the Golden Gate Bridge) and then spending your first day exploring the Marin Headlands, or Mt. Tamalpais State Park (views the East Summit trail are spectacular). Or you can go to Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, and Muir Beach Overlook, then continue along to Stinson Beach (this road is steep and winding). You can have lunch in Stinson Beach or at the Mountain Home Inn (which in on the way to Mt. Tamalpais). If you have time, there is a lovely short, gently climbing trail from Stinson Beach to the old World War II bunkers about 20 minutes up the hill. FYI: This trail is called the Dipsea Trail and, if you were to continue on it, it would take you all the way to downtown Mill Valley. It its entirety it is 7.1 miles long and pretty grueling, but this short little stretch that starts at Stinson isn't so bad. The views are lovely.
On your second day, you can continue your explorations of Highway One north/Shoreline Highway, picking up where you left off, driving past Bolinas Lagoon (if you are a bird lover, you might stop at the Audubon Canyon Ranch here--but it only open to the public for part of the year). You can venture into quiet and quaint Bolinas town or just continue north straight to Point Reyes National Seashore. Great beaches for walking and lounging if the weather is warm, otherwise it can be foggy and windy. I suggest a drive to the lighthouse. If you are all fit, then go for a hike on the beautiful Tomales Point Trail with its views of Tomales Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, and plenty of Tule Elk in between. There are many beautiful hikes ion Pt. Reyes. Bear Valley trail to Arch Rock is the most popular. Mountain bikes can be rented outside the park. You can also rent kayaks in Inverness and kayak in calm Tomales Bay. There are good restaurants in the towns of Point Reyes Station, Olema, and Inverness. You can return south by picking up Sir Francis Drake Blvd. at Olema. Sir Francis Drake will eventually take you to Highway 101 North.
It would be nice to base yourself in Point Reyes, but as others have said, accommodations are limited. The large suburban town of Novato is about 35 to 40 minutes away and is home to several motels.
This may be too much driving for you, but these country roads are not too busy, particularly on the weekdays.
You might find the following links useful:
http://www.nps.gov/goga/marin-headlands.htm
http://www.nps.gov/pore/
http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/eastpeak.html
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=471
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visi...uir-beach.html
http://www.stinsonbeachonline.com/points.html
http://www.egret.org/visit
http://www.tomalesbay.net/index.html