The Sonoma Coast near Jenner was a nice stop during our trip. We weren't completely blown away, but…read moreit was still a pleasant place to visit and take in the scenery. The coastline is rugged and peaceful, and it was really cool to see the seal nursery - lots of seals lounging and playing, which was definitely the highlight. Jenner has a quiet, calm vibe, making it a good spot to get some fresh air, take photos, and enjoy a low-key coastal view. Overall, a nice experience if you're already in the area.

I solo adventured to Sonoma Coast State Park in approximately 2018. I was looking for a beach a…read morenice drive away from where I was living in the East San Francisco Bay Area and had found this site listed on the California State Parks website. I went exploring around a large rock named Goat Rock. I did not see any of the hoofed ungulates on my visit. To the south of Goat Rock, the beach was a little narrowed with occasional pieces of rounded sea glass and intact mussel shells. I picked one of the shells up and noticed a faint violet color. It was one of those light phenomena where exposure to light drains the color from the shell, meaning the next day the faint violet color was gone. Parking was limited and I was fortunate to arrived before the masses. There were not any trees for shade on the beach, though the cool of the water on my feet did provide reprieve from the warmth for my feet.

Blind Beach is simply beautiful, can be enjoyed from the top for views only; or can be enjoyed by…read morebeing on the beach, there are two sides to the beach and can be great for all ages. Lots of parking available all over. It has that vastness that someone like myself much enjoys to just keep looking into. I like to be next to the water without having to go far out into it & love the sound of the waves and of the birds around. After some exploration prefer to park myself at one spot and catch up on my favourite book. The downside of being at Blind beach is the amount of bugs and flies all around. We tried shifting places, including parking at the top spot; despite sitting inside the vehicle and using the bug repellent nothing worked, so we had to finally leave and still were accompanied by a few inside our vehicle right up till the end :)

Cool place to hang out for a hour or so and take some nice pictures, Goat rock reminds me of a…read moresmaller version of "The Rock" and Morro Bay. The beach around goat rock is space but has a lot of character (see pictures). If you dare you can climb the shale rocks and get really close to the breaking waves. As you look out from Goat Rock you will see a very picturesque rock formation that looks like a bridge out in the ocean. Overall if you're driving up the coast on highway one and need a restroom break or just want to chill for a couple then this is you stop.

This is a small secluded beach with a pretty steep stairway down to the beach from the parking lot…read more It's a good bit of cardio climbing up and down. The parking lot has lots of spaces and it's free. The restroom is well maintained, port a potty style, no running water. Once on the beach it's a smaller area, easy walk to the water and the rocks at the end. There's a small tide pool area too. A nice relaxing beach with not many people, so can enjoy it almost to yourself. There are also many trails off the parking lot. I walked the Kortum Trail - it's a beautiful trail with stretches of wooden paths, sprawling greenery with mountains to on side and the, coast along the other. This trail leads to goat rock. It's a pretty steep incline towards the end but worth the views when you reach the top. It's a 2.3 mile round trip hike. I wish I had read a little history before I went on the hike, I later learned the large rocks you can see from the trail are named "Mammoth Rocks" it's believed the Mammoths rubbed against the rocks and created smooth polished patches 10-14 ft high. Probably end of ice age 10 to 14 thousand years ago. Great area, beautiful state beach and lots of hiking with breathtaking views of the coast.

Shell Beach is a favorite location for beach combing and tide pooling. Note that the walk down to…read morethe beach is a little steep so take your time. There are many hiking trails that start from this beach. Some are flat with gorgeous views if you want to walk and soak in the views. If you are looking for more of a challenging hike with an incline there is the Shell Beach to Pomo Canyon or the Shell Beach to Red Hill loop. You will just need to cross the road. There is a large parking lot and the parking is free. They also have bathrooms that are well kept. Whatever trail you decide you will have picturesque views of the Sonoma Coast. Enjoy this beautiful area on the Sonoma Coast. These pictures are of the Shell Beach to Red Hill hike around 10:30am, before the fog burned off for the day.

Nice secluded beach. Lots of driftwood lying around. Wonderful opportunity for you artists who like…read moreto build structures with driftwood. We, photography enthusiasts, thank you for your lovely creations which make for great pictures. You can find the entrance to Stump Beach along Hwy 1 at Salt Point State Park. Dirt parking lot. Be careful and watch your step. Maybe not for the elderly to travel. There are steps going down to the beach but they are not maintained well and there are drops along the way. The ground can get uneven in some spots. If you make it down to the beach, the rocks are interesting; smooth and they make for a nice display along the beach.

I've been lucky over the years to have visited some pretty amazing beaches. Some are sprawling and…read morebustling, some calm, some with crashing waves, big rock formations, caves, etc...some secluded, some on the edge of a city, some in the middle of nowhere. If you love the water, you can appreciate a nice beach regardless of the context or the particular environment. That being said, this is the kind of beach that I love the most. Quiet and secluded, no one around, down a long walkway and away from most everything. I could spend all day in a spot like this just napping and listening to the waves crashing in. If you're coming down this part of the coast it's definitely worth a stop if only just to take it in for a moment. There are a few trails that run around the hills overlooking it if you feel like taking a hike and seeing some amazing views, and a short trail that leads to the beach itself from the small parking lot. The parking lot itself could be easy to miss if you weren't watching for it so be on the lookout. Skip the big places that you've heard of and head here. Have the beach to yourself for a while. You'll be glad you did.

Nice view of the coast and an easy hike from Wrights Beach. Waves are vicious and yet a beautiful…read moresight. Stay clear of these waters as they are known for sneaker waves. Picnic tables are available with plenty of parking. Worth stopping when in need of a break off of highway 1.

Beautiful! There's many trails and picnic tables. And in many places dogs are allowed!read more

gorgeous place with amazing views. It's just absolutely stunning. I love that you can climb on top…read moreon the other side and just go close enough the edges to see everything.

What a massive & beautiful part of the Bodega Bay coast! I have photographed a couple Wedding…read moreelopements here, along with a proposal, and its by far one of my favorite spots in the area!

Easy to book boats in advance on the phone. Was a bit hard to find the shop (van + stall) itself,…read morethey're situated in the parking lot across from a restaurant. There isn't a designated lot but you can either try to park near the visitors center (small amount of not timed parking) or along the street which is what we did. Decided to do some single kayaks. There is an option for either a 2 hour time frame or a 4 hour one. If you have the time then I would honestly recommend the 4 hour one. The routes that they have you travel are different (but the 4 hour also covers the 2 hour loop). Overall the water was pretty calm and we got to see plenty of seals. Recommend stopping by the beach, they'll point out where you can do so during the orientation talk, and walk along the shore to the seal and birds area. It's also a nice area to take a food break.

Two family adventure - four adults, four teenagers. What a lovely family experience. It was easy to…read morebook a few days in advance, and they even accommodated our request for 1 canoe, and then honored our 2 solo and 2 tandem requests. The on-shore guide showed us a nice map with a suggested route. I would have been happy with 90 minutes, but the rest of my avid kayaker group was happy to have the full 2 hours. Memorable summer family memories. Our friends had kayaked in Bodega in the past, and thought this experience was far more interesting and easier to navigate.

We went to the Monte Rio Park on 9610 Main St Monte Rio.the signage is beyond horrible. We ended up…read moreby a large parking lot where their is a coffee shop, a wonderful neighborhood garden and paths along the river. A helpful perdón told us where the park entrance was located and we drove there since the signage is horrible from both directions. There is very limited parking, a porta bn potty and a picnic table. A sign warns you about a very steep path which has no handrails but the site is very quiet and beautiful.

2021 summer: algae floating everywhere, underwater, in water, above water. At first sight I felt…read moregrossed out. There are signs that warn dogs children and adults not to touch the algae. Hopefully it is better other years. Not sure how it is normally. The space is large and roomy for everyone to spread out. I enjoyed it. Food service is friday thru Sunday only. Water is deeper as you walk further away. Maybe 5 feet in the middle. I didn't go all the way to the other side. Plenty of parking. If you're carrying a lot be ready to haul the heavy items for a while at the same time walking on rocks. No lifeguards, make sure kids have life jackets if they tend to wander off. I love a good day in the water and sun so I'm happy anywhere I can do that.

Nothing like the Sonoma Coast State Parks! Sun, sips, and…read moresensational views! Summer days spent lounging on the beautiful shores of Sonoma Coast State Park have my heart. From the ocean waves at Wrights Beach to cozy camping nights under a starlit sky, every moment feels like a dreamy road trip adventure.

We had so much fun here! Salmon creek is here which is a shallow lake with a stream that runs into…read morethe ocean. We literally spent hours here just wading in the water and having fun. It was a little hard to get down with our tent and our supplies but well worth the effort.

Fantastic access to lots of public beaches! We visited in June and enjoyed some time on the beach…read moreand driving along the well-maintained cliff roads throughout Sonoma Coast State Beach. While these beaches are not recommended as swim or surf spots due to the massive ocean swells found here, this is a gorgeous place to relax and gain free access to the Pacific Ocean. We enjoyed our time here walking about, lounging on the sand, watching the sea lion nursery, and observing the local lifeguard camp go about their training. Lots of space for any beach activities you might want to do, free parking, and clean restrooms. We saw lots of park rangers patrolling the area as well. Great beach access if you are hanging out in the Sonoma Coast area.

This is a beautiful stretch of beach that runs through Jenner and the towns in either side…read more Along the way there are several places to pull out. One is Salmon Beach. It's a beautiful beach with plenty of flat sand. There is ample parking and a bathroom Close to Bodega Bay.