On Hwy-1, 27 miles North of Fort Ross. Allegedly taking its name from a Spanish distortion of the Norse myth of Valhalla, isolated Gualala sits on a barren but oddly compelling stretch of coast. Other than the works of the town’s surprisingly large artistic community on show in several galleries – and landmark buildings, there’s little to hold attention. Gualala is nicely placed, however, as an overnight stop between tours of Marin County and the Mendocino coast.