A hop jump and skip away from San Quentin Prison, nestled between the San Rafael Bridge and Larkspur Landing lies a bitty little sandy cove tucked under eucalyptus and cypress tress that provide necessary shade on the hot days. Every time I stop off to let Murphy, Ella, Poppy (and any other number of dogs that might be hiding in the back of my car) play, swim and frolic, there will inevitably be either a whole gang of other pooches to cavort with or none. Both are good. None means relative quiet and lots mean you’ll be on your toes trying to keep track of whose ball is whose. There are no waves so the dogs have no fear. I love to bring a blanket and nestle down in the soft sand to relax for maybe just five minutes before I get barked at by Murphy urging me to play or sprayed by a sweet pup shaking off the good old salt water. And rather than get cranky, I take it as a good omen and only wish I could go in there with them and swim free in the briny bay. It’s been warm this spring but still a bit nippy in the Bay and who knows what’s in there….but I guess if it’s good enough for the dogs…