The 48 best beaches in and around Sonoma County

Day use parking is $8.00 we spent the day at Duran. It was quite busy and a lot of people had their dogs too. Great place to walk on the beach and play in the sand. The restroom were fairly clean.

We found a quiet beach called Salmon Creek. So beautiful! There is a couple paths to get down from parking areas. Outhouse style restrooms in the parking area as well. Lots of gulls and folkart made from items of the beach here. Very fun to explore!

This was my first trip to northern California. This is a very cool park on the bay. Bring a jacket though, we were her in mid-June, and the breeze was still chilly!

An interesting, spacious, and laid-back park. The loop trail and scenery are perfect for biking. Spotted lots of RVs filled with families, kids, and happy pets

Beautiful beach. I actually liked it better than Bodega Bay. Water is quite shallow and some people were swimming in it. Make sure to include Nick’s Cove in your visit.

This is a beautiful beach and well run county park. The entrance fee is reasonable 🙂

Probably my favorite beach to go to. I've caught lots of crab here.

Goat Rock Beach looks absolutely stunning—definitely one of those classic Northern California coastal views. I had planned to visit recently but ended up turning around because the wind was just too intense. Definitely recommend checking the wind forecast before you go, especially if you’re hoping to hang out or take photos. Still on my list to revisit on a calmer day because the views alone are worth it!

Beautiful spot. Bring binoculars to view the seals because you have to stay a good distance away. We also spotted a bald eagle on our visit!

Blew my mind as soon as I drove into Blind Beach parking lot. You get the whole view of Goat Rock Beach. Absolutely incredible. It is very windy! Definitely going to visit again.

Huge beach that makes for a good walk. Dogs are allowed but keep them on leash when there are other people around. Would bring a jacket cause the fog rolls in quick. The current looks strong and the water is cold, would recommend a dip but not a swim.

Beautiful, stretching beach with a wonderful variety of views and scenery

Great beautiful location to see and feel the California coast line. Nice place the hang out, nice sandy beach below the outlet of the Russian River. Don’t recommend going in the water here. Undertows and rough currents. The beauty of the area is peaceful and quaint. The river area there is kayaking and paddle boarding.

One of our favorite beaches 🐾🌊 the waves, the rocks in the water, and the wildness of the coast all are so beautiful 💕

Love this beach ! The little pebbles on the beach is more comfy than sand & easier to walk on. Beautiful nice beach - dogs were welcomed.

Great location to look at tide pools during low tide. Rocky, somewhat difficult to access down a short, steepish road and trail.

Had the beach to ourselves a foggy Monday morning around 8am. Steep decline to a pebbly beach. Bigger pebbles nearer to the water. Also shell shards. Leashes dogs okay. Some rude owners did not take out their dog bags. Garbage can and Toilet available. Big parking.

Crowded on July 4th. Lots of people. Loved the pebbles instead of sand. Short walk from the parking lot above

I really enjoyed this beach with my family. This beach is very unique with limstone rocks. The sand has tiny pebbles different kind color rocks for sand. Beautiful waves crashing to the shore. There are restrooms too. Easy to get down to the beach. It's just breath taken view..it does get cold. Awesome for picnic. There are no picnic tables. I suggest bring a blanket and enjoy the beauty of the beach all the way to the sunset.. Awesome experience i had fun in this beach . I recommend this beach. Free parking. I do recommend not go in swimming there it has strong current. Its worth to see this beauty.

Rocky coast look with beautiful sand. Not tiny grains, more like soft pebbles. Seashells can be found. Picnic tables up by parking. No wheelchair access. Porta-potties are halfway down to the beach with trash cans. Dogs have to be on a leash. Gorgeous view

Great place to bring your family for a picnic and enjoy the scenery. Has plenty of parking. 👍👍

Great beach to walk and enjoy the ocean. Super foggy the day we went but still beautiful. Lots of cool houses and structures built on the beach from driftwood. There are alot of stairs going to the beach but nothing overwhelming. They have bathrooms in the parking lot, clean one holler toilets ( campground type) .

North Salmon Creek Beach is a gorgeous, quiet, and relatively calm beach. I have enjoyed spending some time there in the evenings with my loved ones; enjoying nature, peace, serenity, and beautiful views.

Great free breach, has stairs and then a not too steep path leading down to the beach, and bathrooms (the outhouse kind). The back of the beach has rocks that you can climb on and it's a fairly big beach. I've added some pictures. Not much parking though, get there early!

Good beach to hang out and have lunch. Free parking and temporary shelters to hide out when it gets too windy or cold. There are also outhouses in case you need to use them. When the tides are low, the tide pools have many live things you can view and experience.

It's a little chilly/windy sometimes but that's to be expected with all northern Cali beaches. Plenty of sand and really nice creek! Beware there is a staircase down from the parking lot that can be a little daunting (not dangerous) when carrying a lot of stuff but it's not bad. :)

In the time before covid, we drove up Highway 1 and stopped here—a bunch of us friends from all over the globe. Even though it was February and we could practically see the tide of pandemic coming across the sea, we decided to wade it. How could I not? I had never seen the Pacific and now it was right there. So we all went in, shin-deep. It was cold. Bracing. Absolutely magnificent.

Our 1st visit to North Beach Bodega Bay 🌊 perfect weather @78 warm 🌞.It was nice to get away from the valley Sacto n that smoky air. Kids n i had a blast 👍

You must keep your children close as the trail follows the edge of the top of Bodega Head. Their are no guardrails and its a long way down to fall onto the rocks below. There are plenty of warning signs at the beginning of the trail. It is also steep & gravelly in areas. So you are prone to slide. Its about 4-5 mile hike plus trails go off to the left with no trail directions. Eventually you will come out at the upper parking lot and walk dkwn the road to the lower lot. Views are gorgeous. Plenty of birdsongs. Very nice view of Doran Regional park from Bodega Head.

Bodega Bay’s got that wild NorCal charm—crinkled coastlines hugging the ocean and golden grass hills that glow in the afternoon sun.

Beautiful views of the coast. Easy hiking trails to many different scenic overlooks. Able to get fantastic photos here.

After years of visiting Bodega Bay this is my first time going to Bodega head. I can’t believe a I’ve missed this place. It’s such a great area for a picnic, hiking and access to watching whales. I’m floored that I’ve missed coming here earlier. Huge parking lot, bathrooms, garbage cans and places to sit and watch the waves. It can get a little windy but is a great place to relax.

This area has the coooolest coastal hike, and you can totally make it your own with all the little trails and offshoots throughout! Sweeping views of the coast, ocean, beaches, and town of Bodega Bay. We had the best time - hiked for about two hours (a slow hike with lots of photo breaks and lots of digging in the sand on the beach 😊). Would absolutely recommend making this a stop on your trip!

My wife and I have been coming here for years, and the view never gets old. The experience is refreshing and delightful every visit. The parking lot can be extremely crowded, but the trails and the beach are always a pleasurable and seemingly secluded adventure to relax and enjoy the endless views of the Pacific. The beach can be sketchy to get to, but is never crowded and as long as the tides are out it's a wonderful time.

World famous whale watching site. Northward migration is starting now, so head out there if you can. In addition to the whales, you can see harbor seals, sea lions and sometimes otters swimming by. Also a great birding location. Easy access, parking, and restrooms, but you might want to avoid weekend days when it is super hot inland because it gets way too crowded.

Beautiful area. Very long walk to beach and waves were far too strong to go near. At least in June. This beach is only for looking at the ocean from at least 100 yards away IF you can stand the wind sandblasting your face.

One of my favorite beach parks on the coast! Beautiful trail through the cypress grove with stunning views of the ocean and Pelican Rock. Plenty of driftwood along the wide beach, and the view of the town in the distance adds a nice touch.

2024 Another birthday at this beautiful park. We walked the bluffs out to the point then back to the beach access. The waves were crashing, but the weather was beautiful. 2017 Spent my birthday hiking on a perfect day at this park. The trails and facilities are well maintained. The views are spectacular. We walked along the bluff to the ocean, then followed the river upstream past the campground. Definitely stop here if you are in the area.

Great park with access to the beach and the mouth of gualala river. long trail along the bluffs with incredible views of the ocean. UNFORTUNATELY bicycles are not allowed! I wonder why!

Small park, but you can still walk 2-3h on trails with terrific views, and on the beautiful beach of Gualala with the river. Worth the $7 fee.

Beautiful park. There is a parking cost but well worth it. The walk to the beach is filled with lots of green trees and a nicely paved path for a majority of the walk. The beach itself is very clean and had really neat driftwood shelters along the beach. During our visit we only saw two other people in the whole hour at spent here. It's a very peaceful area even when we visited mid day on a Saturday.

Wide, light pebble beach situated at an estuary confluence of the Gualala River and Pacific. Close proximity to Bluff Trailhead, Sea Ranch and Gualala town make for a well-situated beach day with many nearby options.

Breath taking. Stopped along the way out on our last day. Would spent dedicated time while we were there but it's a protected area and I wanted to fish and crab. So we only stopped by for a quick photo op on the way home.

This is a very popular destination. So be prepared for crowds on weekends and holidays. The surf here is rough and strong. Unfortunately, there is at least one drowning here every year. On the northern end of the beach, is the Russian River Estuary. Seals and migrating birds are often here. Or you might get lucky and spot a eagle. The southern end of the beach has some tide pools. And at low tide you can walk over to Blind Beach.

Golden sunset at blind beach/ Goat Rock. One of the beautiful places to feel serenity and peace.

Was foggy when we arrived on bluff with picnic table, you can see Goat Rock in background. Fog cleared a little later.

What a great place! I strongly recommend making the trip if you're anywhere near here there's just so much to do and so much to see it's a truly unbelievable area we will definitely be back and next time we're going to bring a picnic and make a day of it! I did notice there was no TP in the restroom. Thankfully, I didn't need any.

Great out of the way spot to relax and enjoy the beach. Usually not crowded at all. Drive in is not for the faint of heart though. Views are outstanding!

It was so pretty out there and foggy. The temperature was just perfect. A lot of people stop there to admire the beauty of the place, even the firefighters stop there just to admire mother nature. The drive there was amazing and there are a lot of little towns. So if you ever bore just take a drive this place. There are no bathrooms nearby or there. Also, be very careful don't get close to the edge because the ground is kind of loose. Other than that, enjoy it!

The beach is subject to high surf conditions. There was an ADA access ramp but it got severely damaged a few winters ago. If it's windy you can try to find shelter in the dunes. Most folks prefer to visit via North Salmon Creek Beach.

Hidden gem of a beach! Big waves and nice sandy beach with picnic area and outhouse style toilets. Mostly flat beach access with about 50-75 yards of deep sand walking trail thru the dunes. Big parking area $8 access fee.

I expected more dunes like Florence OR. It wasn't crowded so I guess that was a good thing. Didn't have time to fish nor crab so maybe if I do make it out to try it next time I might bump it a star if there good fishery there. Otherwise, I thoughts were confirmed when we were headed back to the car. A kid and his parents where packing up and the boy said "don't camp here, there's nothing to do!".

$10 entry fees. Western Snowy Plovers nest in the beach camouflaged with bits of shell, rock, or driftwood .

My favorite beach! Always some fun driftwood structures that change from visit to visit. The dunes are great to get some elevation. Not typically too crowded, but I recommend arriving early. Get lunch/dinner at the (relatively) nearby Washoe House!

Loved this beach. Great views

This place is beautiful! Not a lot of people were here. The beach was clean and peaceful! Definitely the best beach I have been to. A LOT of mole crabs that do not hurt you. Watching them bury themselves into the wet sand was so much fun to watch. Highly recommend!

Quiet little fishing beach off Bodega Head and with a view of the bay. Small parking lot and some on roadside parking. Not really a swimming beach. Has picnic tables up above near the parking lot.

Great little beach for kids and dogs (on leash).

A nice little area with parking and access to the cove. Some great calm views of the bay and cove on a clear day. Overall a noce peaceful area.

Great spot. Easy way down to the beach. This beach is also dog friendly so bring your puppy!

Best beach for kids! Clear water, no waves, protected from the wind.

A sweet protected cove, great views, fun for kids at low tide. Pit bathroom. Hikes to the South

Small, but fantastic beach. Calm waters, dog friendly, shaded sections.

Love this beach! Enjoyed watching the harbor seals resting on the beach & the sunset views 😍🫶🏽

Clean sand and fantastic view, when the weather is good.

Great views from the parking lot. If you're up to it you can hike down to the beach. When we were there last, however, the storm had damaged the ladder for the last leg to the beach. One of the restrooms was clean and equipped with toilet paper, the other was stinky and dirty.

Excellent walking beach. Or just to spend time together building sand castles, doggie fun or sunbathing. Relaxing looking for seaglass and wave watching.

I think this beach is magical. Go if you can. Especially in Spring when it's green and feels like Ireland.

A wonderful beach to stop at for a sandy picnic or an afternoon stroll. It hasn't been very busy the times I've gone, as most people keep going past it to the Goat Rock area.

Great place to view sunset. Beautiful beach. Nice view of Goat Rock.

Carmet Beach is a narrow rocky beach in front of the small housing community of Carmet north of Bodega Bay, CA. Carmet Beach is one of many fishing beaches that are part of Sonoma Coast State Park.

Carmet beach is a beautiful, small & rocky beach. Beach is clean and easily accessible. Steps are made from parking, till beach for easy access. There are about 15-20 parking spots. This is not a beach for surfing or camping, but definitely you may spend few hours to relax.

In my heart I give this beach 5 stars all day Long. Over the years the wear and tear of the ocean has damaged the acess, the beautiful steps down have been pounded by this past winter, and have made it difficult for most to get down. It doesn't have a bathroom, so most people don't frequent this beach. I personally love that part. It's not a beach for swimming as the kelp is thick here, but again why I love this beach. It's a healthy beach and at one time when our ocean was healthier, it was teaming with abalone. Sometimes you can still find the occasional shell hear, but the tides change annually. Low tide has been amazing in years past at this beach, but climate change has definitely shifted that. At low tide be careful because some low TIDE'S come in just as quick as they go out and you don't want to get stuck.

Beautiful beach in a string of beautiful beaches and amazing views. While we were there, there was a negative tide. There were so many sea stars. Lots of sea anemones too. The stairs from the parking lot are bad but at least there are some.

One of the smaller beaches in a series of Sonoma Coast State Park beaches along HWY 1. There's a small parking lot at the top of some stairs that lead down the cliff to the beach. There are NO public restrooms available. Dogs are allowed on this beach and it's a bit quieter, but less space based on the tide. There's also more ocean residue (dead muscles and shells, kelp, etc.).

One of my favorites . It's a great little place I love the stairs that you have to take down depending on when you go there's hardly ever any people Tide pools or great I don't know it's just a cool place

The trail to the beach was a little steep but has stairs down to the water. Worth the walk down though

Salmon Creek Beach is one of the dreamiest coastal spots for photos — soft dunes, rolling waves, and golden light that feels straight out of a movie. It’s peaceful and romantic, perfect for couples who love that Northern California coastal vibe. Every time I shoot here, I fall a little more in love with the ocean views and wild beauty.

Super nice beach with lots of sand dunes to hide in! There were no people when we were here. You can take long walks on this beach or hide in small wood huts with your kids. There is a small village nearby. Be careful when you are walking on the sand dunes -there are lots of snakes hiding here.

Definitely a beach’s beach

Lifestyle a beach....

Amazing place to hang out with family

Sonoma State Beach is nothing short of breathtaking. The coastline unfolds with dramatic beauty, rugged cliffs, rolling waves, and tide pools teeming with vibrant marine life. It is a place where nature speaks loudly yet peacefully. The tide pools are alive with wonder, offering an intimate glimpse into the ocean's delicate ecosystem. Sea stars, crabs, and anemones make this beach a living classroom for both the curious and the contemplative. Parking was surprisingly manageable, even during peak hours. Just be sure to plan ahead and arrive early if you want front row access to the more scenic entry points. Footwear and cleanup prep are essential. Bring an extra pair of shoes, a towel, and water to rinse off after exploring. The beach is clean but rugged, and the reward lies in being prepared. You can follow the main trails or carve out your own adventure along the coastline. There is a feeling of freedom here, a kind of quiet that invites you to explore, reflect, and just breathe. Highly recommended for nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking a reset from the noise of everyday life. Sonoma State Beach delivers the kind of beauty you carry with you long after the tide goes out.

Family time at the beach... lots of room but get there early as parking can be tough. Beautiful and clean beaches. Stay updated on the weather, it changes daily!

All the little stops on this coast are truly amazing. They are all so pretty and breathtaking. A definite must see on your trip.

Absolutely beautiful!! I would highly recommend the short hike around the park!! Loved how I could hear the sea lions but couldn’t see them!!

A huge park that contains several beaches with stunning views. It was very windy and foggy when we visited but still very beautiful.

The beauty of this cruise along the coast is the herd of deer. The ratio of males to females are equal in that the growth of the flock is steadily growing.

Take the time to come visit this location and enjoy some amazing views of the Pacific coastline. You can do a small easy walk or get crazy and do a challenging hike in this area for even more wonderful sightseeing. I highly recommend you take the time to stop into Fishermans Cove, located at 1850 Bay Flat Road for some delicious Halibut and Chips. The clam chowder was pretty good as well.

Riverfront Regional Park is one of my favorite local getaways. It’s a great place for a hike, whether you’re out for a casual stroll or an easy jog. You’ll run into plenty of like-minded walkers and joggers enjoying the trails and the fresh air. The views out here are amazing, with lots of spots that are perfect for snapping a photo. There are benches along the way too, so you can rest your legs and soak it all in for a while. The fishing is pretty great too. I come out here often since it’s close by for me. There are a couple of nice ponds and good access to the Russian River. It’s peaceful, and you’ve got a fair shot at catching bass, bluegill, or trout if you’re lucky. One thing I really like is the vineyard that runs alongside part of the park. It’s beautiful to look at, though you’ll want to admire it from a distance since it’s private property.

Embrace the redwoods, lakes, the river, and shaded paths all within one park. Hands down my favorite regional park in Sonoma County. Come here to escape the chaos of the city. Where the water and trees welcome you with serenity. Come walk the dog, ride your horse, bring your kayak, bring your fishing pole, bring a blanket, have a BBQ in the group picnic area and more. A safe place for children but please always watch them around any body of water. Just on the outskirts of Santa Rosa, Riverfront welcomes you with all of its glory. The trails around the lake a extra wide and flat. Easy for a wheelchair to go round. This is one of my regular spots to escape and intake the beauty of nature. I highly recommend just buying a parking pass to support the parks. If you visit a regional park once a month, it pays for itself.

This is a great park for non-strenuous walks, at least when you stay close to the lakes. Good birding opportunities. There is also access to the Russian River, albeit a steep one. A great shady picnic area under the redwoods right next to the parking lot. Water flush restrooms are available.

This is a nice county park. The name suggests that you'll be right next to the river. However, you'll have to walk a bit to get to the trail that drops down to the river. If you want easy and direct access to the Russian River, I'd recommend Memorial Beach Park in Healdsburg or Steelhead Beach Park in Forestville.

Riverfront Regional Park in Windsor is an absolute must-visit for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This sprawling park offers a true escape from the hustle and bustle, with wide, well-maintained dirt paths that beckon you to explore. Whether you're seeking a leisurely stroll with your dog, an invigorating run, or a peaceful bike ride, Riverfront has something for everyone. One of the park's most captivating features is its stunning waterfront scenery. Not just one, but two picturesque lakes grace the landscape, providing breathtaking views and a sense of tranquility. Imagine yourself jogging along the path as the sun rises over the water, casting a golden glow on the surroundings. It's truly magical. Beyond the lakes, Riverfront boasts a diverse ecosystem. Keep an eye out for graceful herons wading in the shallows, playful squirrels scampering up trees, and maybe even a majestic deer grazing in the distance. The park is a haven for wildlife, adding another layer of enchantment to your visit. When it's time to take a break, spread out a blanket on the grassy expanse or find a cozy picnic table. The park offers ample space for relaxation and picnicking, making it an ideal spot for a family outing or a gathering with friends. Riverfront Regional Park truly shines in every season. Spring brings a vibrant display of wildflowers, while summer offers lush greenery and the perfect setting for a refreshing dip in the lake. In autumn, the foliage transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of colors, and winter brings a crisp, invigorating atmosphere. While the $7 parking fee might give you pause, consider it an investment in your well-being and a contribution to the upkeep of this incredible park. And if you plan on becoming a regular visitor, I highly recommend purchasing an annual Sonoma County Regional Parks membership. It grants you access to all the regional parks, including Riverfront, and pays for itself after just a few visits. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or simply a connection with nature, Riverfront Regional Park is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Riverfront is an amazing place to go hang out and walk around two awesome lyrics to fish plenty of trail to walk ride your bike or even horse.

Forget fishing too much watet grass for shoreline too much poison oak to make your own paths. Otherwise is a very beautiful park amongst the redwoods

A fun day on a lovely beach. The water was wonderful!

It's amazing but some people don't know how to take care of their dogs... one ferocious dog ran towards me and barked furiously. If it wasn't because I yell at him to stop I'll be already at the hospital. The owner did not do absolutely anything not even said sorry. I love dogs but please if you bring your dogs to the river don't let them attack random bystanders.

There were a few people but plenty of room to spread out so that you didn't feel crowded my dog had room to play and the water was perfect shallow enough for young kids deep enough in some spots for adults

Great little spot. Great for little one's. There's a long sandbank before drop of into the deep. Great place for family, friends or solo day to the river.

Easy access to the river with very limited parking.

Lovely beach.

Awesome spot on both sides of Hacienda 🌉👍😁🐺🐾great for Dogs too.

Very nice park. It was clean. Bathrooms were clean. Park personnel went around to make sure we all had garbage bags for our barbeque. The hill going down to the water was pretty steep. Great place for kids.

Decent beach on the Russian River. I prefer some other more secluded entries to the river, but these often require some hiking. It’s nice here and accessible. $12 to park in the summer.

This beach is a nice spot to cool down. The hill down to the water is steep. Their is lifeguards on duty, public bathrooms, and showers to rinse off.

This is a wonderful Russian River park that is close to central Healdsburg. It's one of Sonoma County's regional parks which means it's well maintained. But be prepared to pay the day-use fee. This park gets very heavy use in the summertime. That's when the swimming area is set up, and the lawn and barbecues are filled with kids and families. This is also a great put-in, take-out area for canoeing or kayaking on the river. And there's a kayak rental place just across the street.

Awesome place to paddle board, cayak, swim with the family, and have a BBQ or Carne Asada gathering 😋

Always so nice and quiet in the mornings. Started at Del Rio and ended at Memorial Beach. Clean area, cool that they have lifeguards. Amy's wicked slush is always the best after a warm day too!

Very nice Park $7.00 to park. Lifeguard was on duty. The water wasn't cold I swam 6 laps end to end between float lines. Plenty of picnic tables lot of trees for good shade

Small parking, toilets and picnic tables. Gets a little bit too crowded and the river doesn’t seem to be very safe for children.

Great place to chill with kids along the river. The water is shallow and warn. Not too much current so pretty safe place with kids.

Great spot to enjoy the river from. The easy walk from the parking lot coupled with a nice beach and shallow area made it easy to enjoy with a 3-year-old. There is a rope swing on the other side of the river. We went in June and there was plenty of water.

It is a nice place to enjoy nature and take walks near the river.

Hidden, happy little park just before our highway 128 turn off from highway 101. It's a perfect place to stretch your legs, get a few days of sunshine and watch the flowers grow by the river! (Do make sure to see the poison oak...) Many sweet spots for fishing and meditation.

Amazing place will take pics next time. The amount of motorized 2 wheel travel was a bit concerning but other then that great place!!!

This park offers a nice paved trail along the Russian River.

Great place to walk around and see both history and views. Interesting area with both open space, buildings and groves of trees sheltered from the wind. 10$ to park and that can be used at all the parks along 1 as well so very much worth it.

Very cool place to learn about early Russian colonization of early California. Museum was dated and in disarray but provided good information. The old house was very neat and the rest of the recreated buildings felt authentic even though they're not historic. Also, an evocative cemetery. Worth the trip to both if you can stomach the twisty ocean front drive.

Absolutely terrific educational museum. Exceptional interpretive museum and signage. Signs everywhere at the fort. Plenty of artifacts. Delightful museum and gift shop prior to walking down to the fort. The fort is located in a spacious field near the ocean a magnificent site was chosen by the founders. Buildings authentic and in great shape. Rooms filled with authentic artifacts. TRULY A MUST SEE to understand the development of the area and the impact from Russian settlers.

Wow. What a cool place. Who knew this was a historic fort back in the day. Russian/American endeavor. Whoever knew Russians had a foothold. Such a wonderful and educational place to visit. The surrounding beach views are amazing. Also, America's very first windmill. The fort was built as a supporting effort for exploration and support, trade and foothold establishment. Check it out on Google or YouTube. Amazing construction. Must see. A national park. No tickets required. Minimal parking fee/park entrance fee.

Best of the best. Thank you, Americans, for preserving Russia's ancient culture so we can enjoy, feel, and touch what our ancestors created. Thank you for not destroying and spoiling it like the Ukrainians do. I'm proud of our little piece of Russian-American soil. God bless America 🇷🇺🇺🇸❤️

Loved the park and the bay. Found out a ton of historical data, made all picss and videos, but lost the main camera 🤣 Here is something you might be interested in.

Phenomenal place steeped in rich California history, with the original wooden building from 1930s. Although we spent 2 hours there, one could easily spend an entire day between the fort, beaches and whale watching.

Beautiful, soft sand, driftwood structures, calming waves crashing on the rocks. This was a peaceful time. We were able to sit in a structure on a huge log seat. Bring a lap blanket and a cup of ice water. I loved this day.

We were looking to get away from the city for the day, my plan was to stay a little bit longer than what we stayed at this beach. This is a cool little strip of beach away from the crowd. Parking lot is very small so there's limited parking in the parking lot. I noticed there were people parking along the road so that may be an option too. I would definitely return to this beach again, but probably not on a holiday. Even though it wasn't extremely overcrowded on a holiday like July 4th, I would just like to go to the beach when there are a few less people. The speech does have restroom access and that's a plus. It's really not easily disabled accessible, illness you have no issue with getting down some stairs, because you have to go down a hill into the beach.

This is a very popular beach. You can access it from the north side of the creek from the parking lot adjacent to highway 1. This will require a short, but somewhat steep, climb down to the beach. There is no fee to park here. But parking is limited. There is a restroom at the parking lot. If you have mobility concerns, you may want to consider access via Bodega Dunes and pay the day-use fee. There are restrooms and a picnic area at the parking lot. The northern end is closer to the mouth of Salmon Creek and the surf break is relatively gentle there. This is a great place for families with kids. The farther south you go, generally the surf is rougher and more impacted by the tides. If you see areas roped off near the sand dunes, please stay out of those areas. The Western Snowy Plover breeds and nests in the area from around March-September.

Its nice. We saw people kayaking down here from Salmon Creek. The tidal pool seems to connect to Salmon Creek, although we couldn't see clearly due to the heavy fog. There are two ways to go down to the beach. One is climbing over the sand dunes at the south end parking, the other is to go down the stairway from the north end parking. Compared to Russian River beach, this one is harder to reach the beach.

Tons of driftwood. People were making apartments out of it it was insane. Plenty of parking and the trail down to the beach was a bit challenging but not too bad as long as you're able to control your balance and your downhill speed. I don't recommend it for people who are not sure on their feet or the elderly crowd that might not make it without falling. If you can make it down to the beach there's plenty of space to spread out and it was a beautiful beautiful day.

This place is awesome. We drove out to take the dogs for a walk.But unfortunately dogs are NOT ALLOWED. but that's OK, we were able to walk around the parking lot.And observe the numerous surfirst trying to catch a wave. The parking lot is ninety five percent surfers. Apparently it's a place to be. I spoke to a surfer that has a lot of experience at the time of that beach.He said the only downside is it is a bit sharky. I think you. Know what it means. If you want to see people have in the time of their life trying to catch a wave come and check it out. Turns out there are plenty beaches nearby where you can take pets on to the beach. If that's what you want to do, search online first to make sure the beach is pet friendly. Either way we loved the views.

Beautiful, easy hike down to the beach, lots of room.

Nice place to spend some time on the Russian River. Ok place to take your kayak/SUP/canoe/float out. Only downside is it is a long way to the parking lot over fairly narrow trails in some places.

Sunset Beach is cute but very small, which means it was quite crowded when I got there. It seems that there might be other access points to other sand beaches up river, but not being a local I didn't know where to park or walk, particularly since it seems a lot of the river front is private property. I would recommend doing a bit of research about other access points before heading out there. All in all, it was a good place to set a towel down and jump into the shallow river.

As I understand it, this is where most people park their cars for when they get off the river. Highly recommend taking a scenic float down the Russian River. Get a group together and make a day of it. I think it could take 3-4 hours if you don't paddle much. Just don't make the error that we did, and float past this area for another 2.5 miles... Make sure you know where to get off. If you find that the river has suddenly gotten strangely quiet and isolated... Then you probably missed this spot like we did.

A wonderful first time tubing and so many beautiful sights!

Water is low right now but clean and beautiful. Had a blast on July 4th

On our way from Santa Rosa to Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville, we made a quick morning stop at this little park. Parking was plentiful and handled through a simple self-pay system. The river looked beautiful in the morning sunlight—calm, peaceful, and very inviting. We didn’t get into the water this time, but it’s definitely something I’d like to try on a future visit. The beach itself looked really nice, with water that wasn’t too deep, making it seem like a great spot to relax and enjoy.

Great beach that’s serviced by the shuttle that will take you to Steelhead where you can rent tubes and float back to this beach over the course of a few hours. But I want to warn people with allergies, I got stung by two bees here. Hadn’t been stung since childhood but one got me while waiting for the shuttle up at the parking lot and another got me after I finished tubing down at the beach. Probably varies throughout the season, but don’t get caught without an EpiPen if you potentially need one.

Ducks: 10/10, very vocal, very cute, very curious. Other birds: 6/10, kinda gross. River: 6.5/10, somewhat cold, algae kept touching my feet, which was disturbing. Walkability: 4/10, mostly rocks. Crowd: 9/10, small and quiet (~4pm on a weekday). Parking: 8/10, plenty of room but there was secretly closer parking. Drive past the first one and keep going down the road towards the river, there is a tiny parking lot right on the beach. 9/10 secret.

I like this beach because they allow dogs on one side and no to dogs on the other side of the bridge. The beach is wide and they keep the area monitored and clean (there were no lifeguards, so be aware)It's right in town so you can snack up and picnic on the fly. There are local shops selling beach items you might forget close by too. The drive is very scenic and if you follow the highway you will end up at the ocean for a wonderful sunset crab dinner in the Jenner/Bodega Bay area. Don't forget to visit one of the redwood forests along the way. A really great day outing!

Beautiful weather, perfect launch you can back your car all the way to pick up all your things instead of having to walk it up the hill.

Great little spot. Come early, especially in summertime. By 12, parking gets full. Lil hot dog stand on the top parking lot. Free parking

Great spot to dip in the river with family and friends! A decent amount of parking and quick access to the river. Beach has a rocky terrain but the water is safe and slow. People were friendly and easy to be around. Good area for dogs on leash, children under supervision and kayaks/paddle boards and tubes.

clean and easy access sweet spot to play fetch dont know the rules about leashes on the beach

Always a great time. Just make sure to always where a old pair of shoes to walk on the rocks while in the water.

Large sandy beach that is dog friendly. Lots of parking is available.

Great area for beach photography, bring a coat even in summer months can get chilly. Uncrowded secluded very long beach. Please watch your children around the surf line.

Beautiful beach to visit, and not very crowded, but not somewhere you can enter the water. There are several State Park signs warning you not to enter the water due to drowning risks.

Luck was on our side! 6 months in advance, Sure pays off with cancelations. Call everyday if you want to camp here. Plus, it's open 365.

It is good to stay by the ocean,dangerous to swim or surfing too many rocks ,camping spot for RV's and tent 8$ fee in September 2022 ,restrooms but no showers.

Nice big beach, parking is a bit complicated due to a large hole and there is a daily use fee

Got very lucky and got the best spot at the end! Turns out that it was too tight and the sand too deep for a nice couple's RV; they resold it to me!!!

We visited countless surf shops on our trip through California but only one had the CX truck in stock….handmade in the usa. The authorized Carver dealer was a superfun dude and gave us plenty of time to study all the trucks and explained the advantages to us. Best Carver surfkate Shop in California ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stopping by Bodega Bay Surf Shack is an absolute must every time we drive out to the Sonoma Coast. The new location is better than ever, be sure to check it out! My family and I have been coming here since I was a kid for everything from Bodega Bay apparel and gear to kayak rentals - it's all top notch. What really sets The Shack apart though is the super friendly, knowledgeable staff who go above and beyond. From awesome in-store customer service to local recommendations you might otherwise miss, they want to make sure everyone who stops by has an amazing experience at their shop and in Bodega Bay. Can't wait for our next visit!

Great place to get kayaks for the bay, especially if you haven't done it before or if you have. The owner even gave me another hat that I purchased and lost in the bay.

Definitely recommend, we will come again. We were here as a group and rented a few hardtops and a bunch of beginner boards and wetsuits. These were all good quality and in particular the wetsuits were all good, not the torn up old ones you often get in rentals. And all the employees were pleasant, plus the place is very close to the Salmon Creek break. The only thing I would improve is that there werent many hardtops between 6' and 7'.

Rented a tandem and single kayaks for a half day. Bob gave the family a quick rundown on the basics and everyone had a great time!

Seeing the many good reviews surprised me based on our experience today. My husband and I stopped by as we passed through the area on a whim, and he wanted to get some sweatshirts. The shop keeper told us all clothes were 15% off. When he rang up the purchase, I was shocked the price was $143.60 for 2 sweatshirts. But we chalked it up to having high overhead to operate. When we got back to the hotel, I saw the price tags at $59:95 each, which is still a lot for a sweatshirt, but the shirts should have been $119.90 plus tax before the discount. So, the guy wayyy overcharged us on some made up price before applying the ‘discount.’ Shame on us for not looking at the price tags, and not questioning the total; and sadly, we paid cash, so we have no recourse. Caveat emptor to all who shop here, but I’d highly recommend finding another shop with honest shop keepers.

The website stated they had hardtop longboards and shortboards to rent. They had neither. Only soft tops. I would have gone somewhere else if I had known. In addition, the price was about $10 more than stated on the website for both the board and wetsuit.

Beautiful and easily accessible. It was a bit windy and rough the day I was there but still a great vibe to co-habitate with.

All we can say is wow we’re from the East Coast and when we pulled over the ridge and saw the ocean in the cliffs, it was on spiring beautiful a goat rock was recommended to us, and it did not disappoint would go again

Very serene where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean. Recommend River’s End for an outstanding dinner.

What a beautiful beach on the Sonoma County Coast. I see that someone said this is a "sketchy" place, nothing can be further from the truth. Yes, a couple had been killed here years ago but it is not the norm. DO NOT let that person discouraged you from a visit. If you park along one of the cut-outs along the highway, there are a few places to make your way down to the beach, it can be a bit steep for some so make sure you have good shoes. Or, you can park in an actual parking area down the highway and make your way up the beach. We decided to park in a cut-out take a narrow trail down the hillside, it wasn't too bad up or down and when we got to the beach it was absolutely beautiful. We made our way to the driftwood hut and took a few pictures, even added a few logs, then strolled along the beach aways and watched as the tide rolled out. It got pretty windy so we left, but next time we'll bring a blanket, some food (wine of course), and probably our skim board too. Go, enjoy the beautiful coast, take some pictures, and have fun. Want to see more of the places we go, things that we eat, and stuff that we do. Then you need to Follow @whatseatingmo Twitter - IG - Podcast Our Podcast is on hiatus and will return soon. Subscribe now and be the first to know when we're back.

Went to Jenner many times in my younger years but had an absolute blast visiting for the weekend recently. Paddle boarding newbie here, and I felt so comfortable on the water here. Hanging with sea lions nearby in the water, popping up to”say hi” every so often and beautiful birds overhead. Looking forward to returning!

This is our escape! I believe that it was Created by Dr Seuss for our viewing pleasure.

Beautiful coastal area on hwy 1 in Sanoma County just north of Bodega Bay. Not a lot of sandy beach access however it makes up for it in great coastal trails, grassy slopes and rocky cliff views. There was no wind to speak of and it was amazingly warm for December. Keep in mind there is some roadwork on the hwy making for short delays with a light stopping traffic as the road turns into a one lane for a little ways.

Sad. This beautiful coastal area is encircled by private land and no longer has public access. Google maps misdirects drivers to the private road just north of this beach. When you find the right parking lot, and walk down to the beach, you find the stairs leading to the beach terminate about 6 ft above the top of the sand and rocks. The muddy trail needs some love too. Score one for the private land grab people. Score zero for public lands.

The beach access is closed. The staircase is closed with wooden gate. There is a notice at the parking lot. You can walk a bit on trail to see a beach from the side. Beach looks pretty small. Water color is beautiful!

The beach was beautiful what we could see of it anyway after we were rudely chased down and verbally attacked and cursed at by a lady with a Russian accent for not following signs as to where to walk as she pointed to a stick on one of the paths ahead with no sign on it. We had already obeyed every proper sign on the trail. Needless to say she ruined the whole trip:(

I have seen the best sunset of my life through this place. Calm, serene and just amazing....I know California is known for its sunsets, but the view from this place is unlike any other...

Great sunset watching spot. Saw many star fishes and shells on the rocks.

Beautiful views during my walk before sunset.

Such a cool little beach

Easy to bring your stuff to launch. Stunning scenery. Pretty river stones.

Great place to cool off in the summertime. Fills up pretty quickly however.

Dirty, with rocks and pebbles all over. It's not good for kids. Overall a disappointing experience.

Parking fills up fast, get there before 10:45 am parking is $7. We tubed from Steelhead to Sunset

Perfect for the family. Fairly clean. Hidden gem forsure.

Great little park, it was in walking distance from our rental so that was a gym.

Great lake side beach with river access and bathrooms

Very picturesque !! Looks like the set from HOOK never never land. ( Peter Pan) I miss Robin Williams 🥲

So beautiful

Really stunning views here!

Absolute perfection.

Hike down the cliff at least once or twice a year..usually end up staying a couple hours....then the horrible climb out of the cliff back to your car....worth every ache and pain!!!!

One of a series of large, near-shore sea stacks along the rugged Sonoma coast. Scenic and photogenic. No access due to the dangerous surf. Good, nearly level bluff trails provide access to viewing points. Parking and pit toilets nearby.

If you like a rocky coastline the view here is pretty hard to beat. There are no toilets here but other nearby beaches have them.

Went camping at Woodside campground and loved it. Took a day trip to Stump Beach. There is more than enough parking. To get to the beach there is a 6 min walk with stair and a steepish climb down the rocks. Hard to take a stoller. It would be difficult to go in sandals down to the beach. Beach was pretty empty in september. Really nice hidden trailhead across the creek. The water was not to deep for the first 1.5 yards,but did not go any further. It would be possible to get trapped from the tide on the far side of the beach. There was quite a lot of seaweed but it was only in some parts. Quite a lot of rocky patches. Sand was only near the water. The nice thing was that the little cove sheltered the beach from those huge Pacific Ocean waves. The included pictures are from the hike I took not the beach itself.

Beautiful, secluded beach that feels like a hidden gem! No dogs are allowed on the beach, but they can be on leash at the main parkinglot.

Short hike, and a perfect spot to hang out with family.

Stump beach is a great place to chill with a small creek running through the beach. The rock formations are super interesting to someone who doesn’t give a rip about geology. There are several trails that intersect the beach and connect to other part of Salt Point. What more could you ask for?

Amazing rocks for rockhounding, cool tiny cave you can explore on the upper left corner and it doesn't get crowded. We had the whole beach to ourselves most of the day. It was very seaweed-y though.

Protected cove, good for swimming. Popular with young families with kids. Some driftwood teepees built on beach.

Nice beach in a small cove near our camp ground. Some poison oak on the short trail down but nice sandy beach at the bottom with some friendly sea lions popping their heads up in the calm water.

This is a great beach. Plenty of sand to set up on. Tons of Driftwood to collect and fun Driftwood structures to check out. There's some rocks to climb and tide pools to investigate. The kids always have a great time at the beach. The parking lot fills up early but there is parking along the highway. The only downside is that it is something of a hike down to the beach. there are stairs but they are rather Steep and a little precarious. It's doable even for my 4-year-old but if you have mobility issues I don't think you would be able to get down there.

It's so easy to access, find parking, and walk down to the beach. It was a bit chilly in my visit in March, and breezy but it's definitely worth the visit. The smell of the ocean is so refreshing as soon as you step out of your car, and the sound of the wind hitting the water 💦🌊 is so soothing. Kid friendly, couple friendly, family friendly place to visit.

So foggy today you couldn't see more than 300 feet. It must not be like this all the time, but the fog today really ruined our experience. I'm sure the view is normally amazing, but what a disappointment today. Also, fyi steep trail down to the beach!

I grew up in the area and this beach was the one that we always went to. There are 2 entrances; one is in the dunes where you have to climb over sand dunes to get to the ocean, the other is a rickety path down the face of a cliff. I chose the dunes entry.

What a clean, quiet beach. There is always somewhere to park and it’s never too crowded. I like to pull off to the side of the road there and just take a nap.

Very easy access to a nice beach. Lots of parking and stairs down to the ocean. Salmon creek river enters the ocean here, making some especially cool waves, especially during high tide. Definitely worth a stop!

Beautiful beach with ample parking. The road leading to the beach splits into narrow one way.

I don't know how I've gone so long without adding a 5 star review to this shop. Their staff is amazingly knowledgeable and friendly. It's a small shop with limited inventory, but they carry great boards and suits. If they don't have it I know from experience they would be happy to order it, and I would recommend supporting this store. They have served me well for all my surfing needs for over a decade. Although I don't get out on the water as much as I used to, as long as I live in Sonoma County this will be my go to shop.

Walked in here manorial weekend. Was not acknowledge at all. The guy didn't even see me walk in because his face was on the phone. I could have walked out of with the whole store. He wouldn't have known it. Customer service was a horrible. I can't believe they have 4+ stars.

One of my all time favorite shops. Great staff. Good selection of shorts, shirts, hoodies, sweats, wet suits, waxes, boards, and more. Good prices and great vibes.

Very friendly, helpful staff! Reasonable rental rates (wetsuit and boards). Pretty good selection. Happy vibes.

We rented wet suits and they were great. They were very friendly, helpful and accommodating as well as having good rental rates.

Walked in, saw everything I wanted and needed. Grade A music playing, felt like I was back in Darwin Australia.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff, great wetsuit and surfboard selection, also not far from local surf spots.

Ashley planned the most stunning wedding for us! She is so organized, detail oriented, and able to articulate and carry out a vision. We had the perfect blend of boho forest vibes with modern touches! We had such a special day and Ashley made sure it went off without a hitch!

We are absolutely over the moon with gratitude for Three Summer Days Events! Ashley and her incredible team, were a dream to work with. From the get-go, when we first sought Ashley’s expertise, I was knee-deep in law studies, feeling the pressure as our wedding neared and the bar exam approached. Every interaction with Ashley noticeably lifted my spirits—and let me tell you, it took a significant load off my fiancé's shoulders too! Ashley was always attentive, packed with thorough details, and expertly steered us through the planning journey right to the joyous wedding day. She truly excels at everything, from décor to floral designs, organizing timings, and ensuring everyone was primed for the big day. She flawlessly coordinated with every vendor and party member to orchestrate a seamless event. We simply couldn’t have pulled it off without her. A heartfelt, enormous thank you to you, Ashley, for your boundless support, guidance, creativity, and patience!!

Ashley was truly amazing. We could not thank Ashley and her team enough for the job that did. We had quite a few obstacles thrown our way (a venue back out, a caterer back out, etc.). The second venue we settled on was represented by another "coordination" company. We were very, very fortunate to have Three Summer Days Events in place already. As we had already hired multiple vendors (photographer, DJ, Caterer, Videographer) that were not preferred vendors for our new site, they all had to be "orientated" via walk throughs at the venue. The Venue's "coordination company" assigned and reassigned multiple different representatives who struggled to relay information internally and correctly understanding what the venue had and didn't have. Ashley stepped in, and crushed it. Our wedding was gorgeous and perfectly fit all of our "wants" and our vision. Three Summer Days Events took care of the extra little details you think you would not notice. When you see them take over setting up the ceremony chairs from the rental company so they meticulously measure out and space every chair so they are perfectly aligned, you know you are in great hands. Ashley and the team at Three Summer Days Events exceeded all expectations. On our wedding day we were able to relax so much more than I anticipated as Ashley's team took care of every little detail. In addition to all of that, Ashley is genuinely a nice and caring person, which shows through both the ways she helps out and every interaction you have with her. After our wedding, my wife and I commented that part of what made our wedding day so easy and the process calm was that we were fortunate enough to be working with the type of people (specifically Three Summer Days Events and our photographer Aly Tovar) that we would gravitate towards being friends with outside of our wedding. I highly recommend Three Summer Days Events!

Ashley is an incredible planner. Although her company is "new", don't for a second let that fool you. She and Alex are so professional, so organized and SO kind. As a disclamer my husband and I are also hospitality professionals. We were so picky with our vendors becuase we wanted to make sure we found people who we really alligned with and trusted fully. Ashley was there every step of the way. We hired her as a partial planner where her plan was a little different than other partial planning packages that were "6 months out" She spread her services out through our entire planning process (ie 2 hours of email, 1 check in call per month)--which we liked more, feeling we had more support during the entirity of the process. This allowed us to get closer with her and helped her understand our vision--which she executed PERFECTLY. They also had more to offer than a typical planner. She also does florals (beautifully might I add), Alex covers hospitality--which includes assistance with accomodations, transportation, and food and wine pairings. Ashley is so detailed oriented, which someone who is the same way, I really deeply appreciated. Her eye for design is impeccable. No detail went unoticed. She hit every mark. From the choice in linen which wrapped my florals, to the way the napkins were placed, to the flow of the day. One thing that especially stood out to us is her ablility to take any complication in stride, be it in the planning process and during the wedding itself. No event will be complication free, so having someone as talented, experienced and thoughtful when it comes to pivoting was crucial to a worry-free day. Her control over the day's flow was smooth as any could hope for. Although we ran behind with h&mu, she never allowed me to feel stressed, she calmly wrangled all the things going on to make it all work. We trust her so deeply, I never had a doubt in my mind the day would go astray. She uses a website to keep all the wedding info in one place, and man was that helpful. I was able to keep focused and on task, never wondering what to do next. I cannot recommend Ashley and Three Summer Days Events enough. They were the glue to our wedding day and for that we will be forever grateful.

Disclaimer: I’m a photographer who has photographed well over 400 weddings. When I say Ashley and her crew are top of the top, I mean it. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes of every event, finding someone who can put together a seamless experience for both guests and vendors is a challenge. To do so with style and an eye for design is even more impressive. Stop looking, she’s what you’re after.

I truly could not have imagined going through the wedding planning process without Ashley. From the very beginning Ashley helped make an overwhelming process feel manageable. She walked us through each step giving us advice/help making decisions as well as setting up/going to all our vendor meetings with us. On the actual weekend of our wedding she was an absolute rockstar. From setting up our welcome dinner, to going home that night working on the rest of the flowers for our wedding, to then being there all wedding day organizing everything. She thought of every detail and was somehow everywhere all at once. She made my vision and dream wedding a reality. I highly highly recommend Ashley if you are looking for a wedding planner. She is truly one of the best and I will miss our monthly calls!

There is a reason why review after review for Ashley is absolutely glowing with positivity. She is without a doubt one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. From the very first meeting we had with Ashley, she had us completely at ease. The wedding planning process was pretty intimidating to me but she was so organized, responsive, and creative with problem-solving that I truly didn't have a moment to feel stressed. If we ever emailed her with frantic questions she would immediately respond with "Don't worry! I've got it!". Not only was she constantly calm but she was also always going way above and beyond. We had a welcome party location fall through after months of planning and without us even having to ask, she went and scouted new locations and came to our next meeting with new restaurant options within our budget. Our wedding day was truly more than we ever could have imagined and it was all thanks to Ashley. She executed our vision so effortlessly and on the day of the wedding when several things started to go a bit off track (things that were out of all of our control) she stayed so wildly calm that the only thing we could do at that moment was also stay calm and keep a smile on our faces. She is an absolute wedding planning earth angel and we would recommend Ashley to absolutely everyone looking for a wedding planner. We <3 you Ash!!!!

Fantastic place to stop and take in the views!

Nice little spot to stop and relax along the coast. The walk down can be treacherous, so wear good shoes. Be careful after dark, because there are no lights. The upside is that this makes it great for stargazing.

Stunning views almost cold

Fast response and excellent job. Highly recommend!

Extremely pleased! Very clean and respectful of my house! Was very honest with me when it came to the integrity of my chimney and fireplace. I scheduled for an inspection and a cleaning. After our inspection, it was clear that it was already cleaned so it was nice that he didn't have to do that and gave me a price reduction. Highly recommended!! As he promised showed up on time and took care of the service I requested.

This place has trails. Really nice hikes. You can go down the steps To go to the beach or to your right and go on a hike

Beautiful, quiet beach with stunning coastal views and great tidepools during low tide. A short but steep hike down, so wear good shoes. Perfect for a peaceful walk, bluffside hike, or just soaking in the natural scenery. Highly recommend for nature lovers!

Gorgeous tide pool beach along the central California coast. This public access beach has ample parking, a nice flat trail and bathrooms! On weekends, it can be crowded with families enjoying a beach day. Sand is course, but there are many spots to nestle into. This beach is small and bounded by large rocks and sheer cliffs. It has a lot of tide pools. Access is down a steep rough trail with stairs.

Great tide pool beach to see starfish, cruise the tides and spend a few hours!

Don’t expect shells at shell beach (which is why I gave it 4 stars). But there’s plenty of black sand. Lovely beach. Perfect to watch the sunset. Lots of parking with a restroom. A short hike down. I don’t recommend if you have any knee or ankle problems due to the large steps and the last part that has wooden “steps” that may move as you walk. I ended up walking really slowly in between the wood to get down/up. It’s totally worth it and I will visit again. Views and rock formations are beautiful. The sound of the waves hitting the large rocks are healing. And there were only a few people on a Friday afternoon / early evening.

Amazing trail! My Dad, cousin, me and my dog Rosie walked the Kortum Trail on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was heavenly. The views are spectacular. The air was invigorating. My dog was in ecstasy. We loved walking along enjoying nature at its best. We were having fun telling stories and imagining dinosaurs roaming the land. My Dad and cousin proceeded up the big rock to the top as me and my dog stayed below. A lovely adventure I could do over again many times. There's free parking and bathrooms at the base of the trail.

Beautiful location! Can't beat the views! The trail down to the beach is unpaved with many steps (not handicapped accessable), no railings, be careful with small children and elderly. Great place to hang out for the day, bring a lunch and maybe beach umbrella as there is no shade. Bathrooms are in the parking lot area and so are garbages. Clean up after yourselves to keep the beach trash free! Go during low tide to check out the tide pools, we saw a variety of sea life including two giant star fish!