LAmag.com

A new inn on Tomales Bay is just one more reason to visit California’s nationally protected seashore

Formed by the violent intersection of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates, Tomales Bay is a thin strip of blue that separates the Point Reyes Peninsula from the mainland. Surrounding the bay are forests thick with bishop pine, bay laurel, and oak trees; gently rolling grasslands decorated with grazing elk, contented cattle, and wildflowers; and tiny communities whose residents gather for organic coffee and yoga at places like Toby’s Feed Barn . In the 1950s, developers threatened the tranquillity of it all with plans to fill the beaches with homes—in one development, 1,000 of them. The ensuing struggle to spare the area earned the peninsula federal protection.

Navigating our biggest horse race of the year doesn’t have to be a trial. Here’s how to do it right

1. On Your Marks Going to the track can be intimidating, but there’s no better way to get acquainted than by hitting the Santa Anita Derby. On April 5 about 55,000 spectators gather at the storied Arcadia track for a day of racing that includes the most important West Coast prep contest for next month’s Kentucky Derby. Attendees used to don fancy hats and neckties, but baseball caps and jeans are now de rigueur. Bring as much cash as you’re willing to lose, along with enough for admission, parking, and refreshments (ATMs are expensive). Opt for the $4 lots; the $10 valet will leave you waiting.