The Sonoma County coastline stretches north from
the town of Bodega Bay, to the Mendocino County line --
offering a string of beaches which are increasingly wild
as you travel north. Expansive dunes provide a backdrop
to the beach areas, and small villages are interspersed
between the state beaches. Sea Ranch is an
outstanding natural area, containing an environmentally
sensitive community of houses (many of which you can
rent), and a fine lodge situated on meadows overlooking
the ocean.
Southern Beaches
The beaches north of Bodega Bay are among the most
scenic in the state. Collectively they are Sonoma
State Beach, a sort of disconnected state park, which
is accessible from more than a dozen points along Highway
1. The beaches extend for more than 13 miles: a prime
location for anglers as well as picknickers,
beachcombers, hikers and campers.
There are 30 campsites at Wright's Beach and a
much larger campground with 100 sites at Bodega
Dunes. This is a more developed campground with
showers, restrooms, a sani-station and campsite center,
1/2 mile south of Salmon Creek. Summer stays are limited
to seven days and at other times, 30 days.
The park information center is located at the
Salmon Creek site. The beach at Salmon Creek
curves around a lagoon with eel grass sheltering many
birds in the shallows. You'll see European beach grass on
the sand in the area, the result of a dunes stabilizing
effort started in 1951. There are no lifeguards along
these beaches, and swimming is not recommended. The waves
are high, and rip tides in many places make for a strong
undertow, particularly at Goat Rock, located at
the northern end of the park.
The Sonoma Coast Trail runs along the blufftops
and connects many of the beaches. It begins at the north
end on the bluffs overlooking Blind Beach, and
there is a farther access point 1/2 mile north at Goat
Rock. A causeway connects the rock and the mainland.
There is a parking lot (some say sparking lot) at the end
of Goat Rock Road, and signs point to the trail that
heads south along the bluffs, over a stile, crossing a
pasture. The trail climbs up Peaked Hill and crosses a
ravine bridge to sheep grazing fields. The trail
continues south into Furlong Gulch and leads to
Wright's Beach campground, the south trailhead.
Northern Beaches
The landscape is increasingly wild on the drive north
from Fort Ross along Highway 1. The northern beaches are,
for the most part, in small, secluded coves -- separated
by stretches of rocky headlands. Stillwater Cove
Regional Park is a small seaside day-use and camping
park, set in a redwood grove with a wooded trail to the
beach.
Kruse Rhododendron Reserve, off Kruse Road --
10 miles north of Ft. Ross -- features 317 acres of wild
rhodos, which bloom from April to June. Call (707)
865-2391 for blooming information.
Salt Point State Park, to the north, offers
6,000 acres of forest, grassland, a rocky shoreline and
several beaches tucked into the rock landscape. There is
a large campground (Woodside) suitable for
trailers & RVs on the east side of the highway.
Moonrock Campground is located to the west -- at
ocean side. At night, with the moon shining, this can be
an awesome, eerie scene. The park also contains 20
walk-in sites on the inland side of the highway with
hikes of up to 1/2 mile. The park is known for its tide
pools, diving and fishing opportunities, for this is one
of the first underwater parks created by the State of
California. Supplies are available in Fort Ross, Stewarts
Point and Ocean Cove. For park information, phone (707)
847-3222.
Sea Ranch
North of the parks, at the northern end of the Sonoma
Coast, is a ten-mile long expanse of private land, dotted
with vacation homes, many which are often available for
vacation rental. Public access trails lead to the shore
with a small charge for daily parking. While there are
several places to stay between Jenner and the Mendocino
Coast, we know from our own experience that the Sea
Ranch Lodge (see below) offers an experience to be
remembered. The Sea Ranch property contains trails along
the ocean bluffs to secluded beaches, and a links-style
golf course near the Gualala River.
Gualala Point State Park is at the northern
edge of the county, at the mouth of the Gualala River.
There are hiking and bike paths as well as steelhead and
rock fishing. There's a campground here and the point is
a good spot for whale watching. For park information call
707-785-2377.
