Enjoy the Beauty of Sonoma Beaches

Sonoma beaches are among the loveliest on the California coast. The bluffs and rugged headlands hide secluded coves and pocket beaches. There are grasslands, woodlands and dunes. Wildlife is abundant.

Sea stacks and offshore rocks provide a haven for seabirds, seals and sea lions. Numerous tidepools harbor fascinating little sea creatures. In winter and spring, gray whales pass by on their annual migration.

You'll find many recreational opportunities here. There are numerous hiking trails, where you'll enjoy stunning views from the bluffs and headlands. Sonoma beaches offer some of the best surfing north of Santa Cruz. Beginners can take lessons in Bodega Bay.

If surfing's not your style, go horseback riding, kayaking, abalone diving or fishing. You can rent a charter in Bodega Bay, or go rock fishing, surf fishing or river fishing.

Take a drive. Highway 1 hugs the coastline here, curving back and forth, and the views are beautiful. The drive between Fort Ross and Bodega Bay is particularly scenic. Take care when driving, because you'll be tempted to gawk at the scenery instead of the road.

Then again, you might prefer to do a whole lot of nothing. Sonoma beaches provide plenty of room to relax.

Includes accommodations in Sea Ranch, Jenner, and Bodega Bay.

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Gualala Point Regional Park

In addition to sandy beaches and coastal vistas, this Sonoma beach park offers picnicking, camping and hiking in its 195 acres. There's a day use fee, restrooms, a visitor center, and a paved wheelchair-accessible trail to the beach.

The camping area is in a redwood forest along the Gualala River. There's limited seasonal fishing, picnic tables, a restroom and showers, firepits, and a dump station.

The park is open year round. There are fees for day use. Dogs are permitted on a leash.

For more information see Gualala Point Regional Park.

Salt Point State Park

You'll find a lot to see and do in the 6,000 acres of this park. There are sandy Sonoma beaches, rocky coves, grasslands, woodlands, pygmy forests and stunning views. You can hike, stroll, or ride your horse on the 20 miles of trails.

Picnicking is available at Fisk Mill Cove, Stump Beach, and South Gerstle Cove - all of which have picnic tables and toilet facilities.

Fishing is permitted throughout the park, except at Gerstle Cove Marine Reserve, an underwater park popular with divers. You can launch a small boat in this cove, or stay on land and explore the tidepools.

Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, food lockers, drinking water and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. There's a paved, level wheelchair-accessible path from the parking area in Gerstle Cove to Salt Point.

For more information see Salt Point State Park.

Virtual Guidebooks provides panoramic views of Salt Point State Park.

Stillwater Cove Regional Park

This small Sonoma beach is most popular for launching small boats and for skin and scuba diving, especially for abalone divers. Take the long stairway to the beach, or choose the wheelchair-accessible path.

You'll find spectacular views, open meadows and coastal forest in this 210 acre park. There's parking, a campground with restrooms, showers, electrical outlets and a dump station. Dogs are permitted on a leash.

For more information see Stillwater Cove Regional Park.

Sonoma Coast State Beaches

Sonoma beach isn't just one beach, but a series of beaches separated by rocky bluffs and headlands. It starts just north of Jenner and extends 17 miles south to Bodega Head, totaling some 5,000 acres.

One of the prettiest beaches in the state, Sonoma Beach includes long sandy beaches, secluded coves, tidepools, rocky headlands, and natural arches. There's an underwater park for divers that extends the length of the beaches.

There are two camping areas at Wright's Beach and Bodega Dunes.

The beaches include:

• Goat Rock Beach
  
• Blind Beach
  
• Shell Beach
  
• Furlong Beach
  
• Wright's Beach
  
• Duncan's Landing
  
• Rock Point
  
• Gleason Beach
  
• Portuguese Beach
  
• Schoolhouse Beach
  
• Carmet Beach
  
• Marshall Gulch
  
• Arched Rock Beach
  
• Coleman Beach
  
• Miwok Beach
  
• Salmon Creek Beach
  
• Bodega Dunes
  
• Bodega Head
  
• Campbell Cove
  

All these beaches have dangerous currents and waves. Even the surf area is unsafe. Each beach has parking and a path to the beach. Many have restrooms.

For more information see Sonoma Coast State Beach.

Virtual Guidebooks provides panoramic views of the Coastal Trail above Blind Beach and Bodega Head.

Doran Regional Park

You'll find two miles of sandy beach at Doran Beach - one of the best Sonoma beaches for family outings. The park is located on the sand spit that separates Bodega Bay from the harbor and the town. The beach is on the ocean side of the spit. Enjoy a variety of water sports here, including surfing and body boarding.

The harbor side of the park offers a salt marsh for bird watchers. A rock jetty at the mouth of Bodega Bay Harbor provides fishing and crabbing access. The boat launch can accommodate boats up to 20 feet.

You'll find parking, picnic tables, wheelchair-accessible restrooms, 138 campsites, showers, a dump station, boat launch, fish cleaning station, and an ocean fishing pier. There are fees for day use. Dogs are permitted on a leash.

For more information, see Doran Regional Park.

Virtual Guidebooks provides a panoramic view of Doran Beach.

More Northern California Beaches

Del Norte County Beaches

Mendocino County Beaches

Humboldt County Beaches