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    Sonoma Coast State Park

    4.7 (58 reviews)

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    Just wow!
    Lisa W.

    I have to pinch myself knowing the proximity of this gorgeous coastal park to where I live. Whether it's sunny or foggy it is beautiful. Today we walked from Shell Beach to Wrights Beach & back via the Kortum Trail.

    Watching the sunset at Blind Beach
    Shayla B.

    Breathtaking doesn't even begin to describe how amazing this place is. I'm in total awe with each and every visit. So much to explore and so little time. Sonoma Coast State Park features a collection of beautiful beaches, campgrounds, and hiking trails that run along the Pacific Coast Highway from Bodega Bay to Jenner. If you've driven down highway 1 passed Bodega Bay, you've literally driven through the park. There are so many amazing beaches along this part of highway 1. And of course, the views of the coast are pretty much numbing. You can pull off to the side of the road, cross the street, and just lose yourself in the scenic coastal views. Although I adore the Bodega Bay beaches, I find that the ones closest to town tend to be the busiest. It makes total sense as these are more convenient. I prefer to drive further down into Jenner. First of all, the drive is so amazingly gorgeous. It'll be hard to focus on the road while driving through because you'll just want to keep on looking out the window. Another reason why prefer the Jenner side over the Bodega side is because it's left crowded and the beaches are way more secluded and peaceful. Two of my favorite Jenner beaches within this park are Blind Beach and Shell Beach. Both are stunning and never super crowded. Parking is usually pretty easy to find. You can actually swim in Shell Beach, but Blind Beach is more of a relax on the sand kind of beach (it's actually pretty dangerous to swim in Blind Beach). The hiking trails are wonderful here too! You've got the more popular hiking trails like Bodega Head and the Kortum Trail which are easy coastal treks. And then there are the more intense hiking trails hidden behind the coast side like the Red Hill and Pomo Canyon trails. Lots of different hiking trails that are all wonderful in their own way. There's also plenty of campsites in this park. I'm not much of a camper, so I can't lend any specifics on this. But, I have hiked through a few campgrounds in the area, and they've always appeared to be very peaceful. The weekends are usually busy and crowded, especially in the summer time. The traffic on highway 1 can turn into an absolute nightmare in the afternoons. You should definitely get here as early as possible or wait until right before sunset if you don't want to be stuck in traffic and/or competing with the crowds. I love picnicking here as well. There are lots of great places to stop on your drive in to pick up food and picnics supplies on the way. All in all, I'm truly in love with this place. It's one of my absolute favorite California coastal destinations. I'm so grateful that it's nearby so that I can take full advantage of its' beauty.

    04.03.21 GOAT ROCK at the Sonoma Coast State Park
    May A.

    The drive along the Sonoma Coast is beautiful! The stretch from Jenner to Bodega Bay is spectacular! The State Beaches at the Sonoma Coast State Park is one of the most visited parks in California. It is actually a series of beaches separated by rocky bluffs and headlands and stretches 19 miles of spectacular views of the mighty Pacific Ocean as the road hugs the coastline. The drive is really curvy, don't drive too fast. There are more than a dozen view points along the Pacific Coast Highway 1 and there are some parts recommended for fishing, walking and picnicking. Anyone for a swim? NOPE! Sonoma Coast is not for swimming! The water will chill you to the bone! We also read about the dangers of rip tides and strong currents, plus the jagged rocks and powerful waves and the deaths caused by the cold water conditions, backwash and large unpredictable sleeper waves. Soooo we enjoyed the views with caution.... from the parking lots! LoL! Our first stop was seeing the Goat Rock. Blind Beach and Goat Rock Beach are separated by one huge rock (Goat Rock)... Goat Rock beach is home to a colony of harbor seals, we did not know about this until later. We'll be back next time to look for them. Looking forward to stopping and exploring the other beaches along the coast on our next return to Bodega Bay. Review #2188

    View
    Lisa W.

    Beautiful state park right on the coast. It's very beautiful in a nice day! We came on the day after Christmas and the rain. So the air was crisp and the view was amazing. Low to no winds and it wasn't packed when we came around 8 but got pretty packed when we were leaving around 11. We parked near Goat Hill and took Kortum Trail all the way down for 3 miles and back another 3- so 6 miles total. You can probably go further. There are no dogs allowed on this trail, which is a bummer because most dog owners are good and pick up after their dogs, but I know it's the ones that don't and ruin for everyone as we saw some large dog poop and a dog owner near with his large dog. Easy, fun trail, family and kids friendly.

    Goat Rock beach love this amazing spot! Super amazing views!
    Bianca W.

    Went out to Goat Rock on Sunday and the weather was perfect just perfect and the wind was subtle, and it wasn't crowded at all! such a lovely spot at the coast amongst others!

    Lillian W.

    I don't say this enough...California is one gorgeous State with tons of natural beauty. Mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, and beaches! Ooohhh, the beaches! Gorgeous No Cal beaches. Let me tell you about the Sonoma Coast State Park. It stretches 17 miles from the Bodega head to the Vista Trail about 4 mikes north of Jenner. It contains several beaches (Goat Rock, Shell, Portuguese, Schoolhouse, Salmon Creek) and about a dozen more unnamed access points. Each and everyone of them are gloriously breathtaking. Wild rocky headlands, windswept cliffs, tide pools, and gravely sand with pebbles of varying gorgeous colors. But I know it is tempting to take pebbles off the beach, just to let you know it is is a penalty to do so. Checkout the website for more deets on each individual beach. Also as always, the beach access is free. Gotta love that! However not all the beaches have restrooms. Plus please take note as the other Yelpers stated, these beaches are not really for swimming especially the beaches not sheltered by an inlet; there are riptides, strong currents, no lifeguards, and cold temp waters. Stay alert and never turn your back on the ocean. Enjoy and be safe!

    Frank W.

    This 17 mile drive along route 1 impresses at every turn. Though it receives far less press than Big Sur, we enjoyed the drive more as there were more opportunities for stopping at a beautiful, relatively secluded beach or just pulling over at a turnout for photos without the hassle of traffic one experiences in Big Sur.

    View From Trail
    Ryan F.

    Hiked in Sonoma Coast State Park on Monday morning. Not overly challenging in terms of the trails, but it is a lengthy hike. Well worth the extra time and effort because of the wide-ranging scope of nature you get to explore. Quality: We took a trail that started at Shell Beach went over Red Hill and down through Pomo Canyon before getting back to our starting point. While only two sections were challenging inclines, the length of the hike may dissuade some. However, it is hard to imagine a hike that lets you truly see all the different landscapes of California like this one. From the cliffs near the Pacific Ocean, to a high point providing panoramic views of the area, down to a Redwood forest, it truly is a bit of everything. It just takes some work to get to each. Quantity: Our hike of Red Hill and Pomo Canyon was more than 7 miles, and the park stretches much longer than that. Value: No fee to park or hike the trail. Ambiance: Sonoma Coast State Park is located near the Pacific Ocean just north of Bodega Bay. The park is massive with many different hiking trails and beach areas. We hiked a stretch near Shell Beach, which required traversing a mountain and then heading down a canyon into a Redwood forest. It is a long trail and one that was relatively easy to follow despite some missing signs. The lower route through Pomo Canyon was very muddy, which was surprising since it had not rained for several days. It was not a problem on the higher trail, so it may be a better option especially after recent rain. Crowd: It is a fairly difficult hike and it was Monday morning, so not too surprising to find it pretty empty. Service: The signs on the trail are sporadic, so we ended up passing our turn and needing to double-back. The lower trail was also quite muddy, despite minimal rain in recent days, so be prepared if you take that route. Parking: We parked in a free lot near Shell Beach, but there also appeared to be more parking on the opposite end of the trail in Pomo Canyon.

    Jackie M.

    It's a great view to look at while driving but it's very windy! The water is super cold . The sand area is pretty clean

    The left side of Goat Rock Beach
    Rebecca H.

    I have such great memories of this beach. In college we would come here to burn a Christmas tree in July, drinking beer and hanging out. One night the noctiluca were in, and the sea was shining green. Running in the sand left sparkly green footprints, and splashing the water was like throwing emeralds in the sky. It was beautiful. If you go to the left you see the arch rock, goat rock, and a beautiful vista, with a rocky shoreline. If you go to the right you come to a sand beach, and if you walk long enough you'll come to sea lions at the end. Swimming is not suggested on either side, it's a beach for walking and thinking. I visited recently and am again reminded of all the wonderful times spent at this beach, and appreciated again how beautiful and peaceful it is. It's worth visiting.

    Alec W.

    This ocean is all that I want oh the sand is all I have oh nature is spread like a buffet bon appetit yay! Appetite for pretty photo production Cool and fresh unlike an oven Air melts in my mouth and I love it Bon appetit, yay! Looks like nature has been missing I have those hiking eyes I could use some beach and views Because my nature/city level aint right Sonoma coast is a five star review A kobe beef hiking spot I want what my hiking guidebook is cooking, oh Let me go Under the sunlight I can let my eyes shine and dine At a great ocean view And it's okay (sung to the lyrics of "Bon Appetit" by Katy Perry) I knew I would be moving from the Bay Area soon (I did last week) so I had to visit a hiking spot I had not visited. I have been hiking in Marin since I was five, I have been there done that with almost every trail there (although I keep going back and doing them). I have even visited parts of the North Coast but I never actually hiked in Sonoma Coast State Park. Picking a time to hike on the beach is tough in NorCal. The beaches are gorgeous but only on the right day. If it's in the winter, it could rain, if it's in the summer, it could be foggy. But April, I have figured out is the best month for hiking. There's not much rain and it's not May or June when the fog rolls over the beach. So I went in late April. I went along the Kortrum trail from the main beach before Jenner and looked down toward Bodega Bay. Good amount of people but they were nice and I saw lots of beaches as well. I got great pictures of the coastline, hiked a bit more and then drove home. I drove by Bodega Bay and was realizing how it would be a great place to go with your boyfriend or girlfriend, it's quiet, there's nice hiking and nice quiet restaurants too. My only quibble was that the parking and exact trail locations were confusing but once I started hiking and taking pictures, I could not stop. I picked one of the most beautiful days this year to hike here and I am so happy I did. I enjoyed what nature served to me, bon appetit.

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    Ask the Community - Sonoma Coast State Park

    Review Highlights - Sonoma Coast State Park

    If you go to the left you see the arch rock, goat rock, and a beautiful vista, with a rocky shoreline.

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    Jenner Headlands Preserve

    Jenner Headlands Preserve

    4.9(12 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Another fabulous Sonoma Coast hike. One of our favorite day trips…read more Anytime is beautiful to visit this hiking destination but we love going in but May! It is the perfect time to soak in vibrant wildflowers and lush green landscapes. We love taking Plumette, our Schnoodle. She loves sniffaring here. ‍ Pups must be on Leash. Leave no trace.

    Dog-friendly hiking?! Sign us up!…read more What an absolutely beautiful preserve! The parking lot was full on Sunday midday so we had to backtrack along the road to an auxiliary pullout parking area. Next time we'll drop off one human and the pups before moving the car as it was sketchy walking our pups on Rt 1. There's a nice Info Center at the trailhead, with signage and maps - both posted and printed copies to take. Bathrooms are just a short walk down the trail. There are various trail options, with I think up to 15 miles if you're up for the challenge. We planned to hike ~4 miles but the steep trail was in the direct sun and we all started feeling it. I don't think there's any water on the trail, so bring more than you think you need. We hiked ~1.5 miles up and our pups were getting a bit too warm so turned it around. Not mad about it as we enjoyed stunning ocean views on the way down/back. We all still enjoyed a workout and some peaceful time out in nature. Cows live on the preserve so expect to see cow pies/dung along the path. We didn't see any upclose, but there are warning signs at the trailhead advising you what to do. Despite the full parking lot, the trail wasn't crowded. We can't wait to return!

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    Jenner Headlands Preserve
    Jenner Headlands Preserve
    Jenner Headlands Preserve

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    Pomo Canyon Trail

    Pomo Canyon Trail

    5.0(4 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Can't believe I haven't reviewed this amazing trail sooner! I've hiked it for years and it never…read moregets old. Usually I stop at the Pomo Campground, but this time we went all the way up Red Hill and looped back. The views are unreal -- ocean, Russian River, and the coastal range all in one sweep. If you make it to the top, bring a sandwich and take in the scenery from the picnic table. Totally worth it!

    Fun trail with lots of diversity. Hiking the Pomo Canyon trail, you'll get redwoods, coastal views,…read morewildflowers, sweeping hillsides and rocky meadows. I find the easiest way to start is by parking at Shell Beach on the Sonoma coast-it's also free to park here. Cross Highway 1 and you'll see the trail climb, at first as a wider fire road but then narrowing and starting to leave behind the traffic noise of the coastal highway. It's moderately challenging to climb but levels out in spots and alternates between sun and shade. When you get to the first junction (a short way in) of Red Hill trail, keep left and follow the signs for Pomo Canyon, as I feel the trail is best done counter clockwise. Along the way up, you'll go through narrow single track trails that are a bit overgrown-long pants recommended! In April, there was a colorful array of wildflowers and still some mud on the trail. You'll encounter some beautiful redwood groves before you each the next junction which gives you an option to turn left and make it down to the Pomo Canyon campground or to the right to complete your loop via the Red Hill trail. I like to turn right and climb red hill to enjoy the sweeping views of the coast and Jenner, where you can see the junction of the Russian River. This will loop you back down to where you started and ends up being just shy of 6 miles. Beautiful views, majestic redwoods and colorful wildflowers make this a fun spring hike.

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    Pomo Canyon Trail
    Pomo Canyon Trail - Rocky hills

    Rocky hills

    Pomo Canyon Trail - View of Jenner

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    View of Jenner

    Shell Beach - Gorgeous view. Missing the beautiful cypress that came down last year though.

    Shell Beach

    5.0(7 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    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.

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    Shell Beach
    Shell Beach
    Shell Beach

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    Sonoma Coast State Beach

    Sonoma Coast State Beach

    4.8(148 reviews)
    10.0 mi

    Spectacular views! My favorite spot in Bodega Bay is Bodega Head to see majestic ocean views and…read morehike along the bluffs. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of migrating whales! We enjoy getting chowder and sipping it while watching the waves. It is such a tranquil sight away from the hustle and bustle of life. Today was a beautiful sunny day at Bodega Head but even if it's raining, I love coming here to enjoy the views. Come prepared for some windy conditions just in case. The parking lot will get full on the weekends, especially during spring when you have a better chance of seeing whales. Several picnic tables available with friendly seabirds checking out what you're eating. Restrooms are next to the parking lot.

    Incredible views of the coastline that I enjoyed every step of the way. Would be a great place to…read moretake out of town family or friends to show off California's natural beauty and to walk your dog too to the Blind Beach side. Goat Rock side no dogs allowed because the seals always wean their pups on the beach, but the dog friendly side is so spacious and a nice long stretch of beach with iconic rock arches out in the water that you will never forget. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in all of California and if it is low tide, there will be many starfish visible on the rock formations on shore lower section which is normally submerged! If you get a good sunset, this place cannot be beat for photos overlooking the water with those rock formations. It could make anyone with a cell phone camera take photos that look like a professional landscape photographer took them.

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    Sonoma Coast State Beach - 8-28-2022 hubby put up with me for over 20 years wow!

    8-28-2022 hubby put up with me for over 20 years wow!

    Sonoma Coast State Beach
    Sonoma Coast State Beach - Campsite with fire at night

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    Campsite with fire at night

    Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve - Banana slug

    Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve

    4.7(410 reviews)
    9.1 mi

    SCW and I visited Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Park one day while staying nearby. I'd use…read morecaution when using a driving app to get here as we were led along a very narrow road through a local residential area with no room and switchbacks galore. Suffice it to say we saw a few locals along the way that seemed perplexed why we were driving very slowly through their neighborhood. I think that had to do with a bridge closure. Anyways... The return was not the same route thankfully. The park has for pay parking areas and what seemed to be free parking along the road to the park at your own risk. We found a spot in the paid lot ($10). Get a receipt, put it on your car's dashboard and off you go. There's a small welcome center and info at the entrance as well. The Redwoods are incredible here, some alive for 1400 plus years. You simply can't see the tops of the Redwoods from the ground. Truly incredible. The trails are well marked and it's highly discouraged to get off the trails as the environment is very ecologically sensitive. Unfortunately we saw some disregard for that. Stay on the trails people! You'll find placards noting interesting names and places along the way in addition to information about the flora and fauna. The history of the park and previous residents from indigenous peoples to the parks name sake are along the trail. It's an incredible park to visit and appreciate nature. The redwoods are incredible and certainly worth a visit.

    Wow! What can I say that will convince you to come visit the splendor at Armstrong? We walked…read more Hiked. And drove our vehicle up a tiny one lane hillside road to the top for a spectacular view of the whole area. It was beyond words! The park was immaculately clean. Everyone was kind and polite. The air was so fresh. I hope to return soon.

    Photos
    Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve - Very cool mushroom

    Very cool mushroom

    Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve - Redwood Rooter

    Redwood Rooter

    Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve - Wild turkeys in the park

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    Wild turkeys in the park

    Sonoma Coast State Park - parks - Updated July 2026

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