Sonoma Coast State Park
State Park · Bodega Bay, California
Sonoma Coast State Park is not one place but a string of beaches, headlands and coves along Highway 1 on the Sonoma County coast, running over many miles from Bodega Bay north to Jenner. Goat Rock Beach is where the Russian River meets the ocean, and harbor seals pup on the sand in spring, so parts are roped off - keep away and confirm closures. Other stops include Shell Beach, Wright's Beach, Arch Rock and Bodega Head, the headland used for whale watching. The scenery is wild, with sea stacks, bluffs and surf. Be clear about the danger: cold water, rip currents and sneaker waves have swept people away here, and the beaches are for walking, not swimming. Fog, wind and a slow, curving Highway 1 are normal. It suits drivers, photographers and campers and whale watchers who respect the ocean, and it disappoints anyone who expects calm, warm swimming beaches or a single tidy entrance with a map.
3095 CA-1, Bodega Bay, California, 94923, United States
California State Parks has generally kept the coast open for day use from about 8 AM to sunset, with the road pullouts and trails open on the same schedule - confirm the posted hours at each lot. Wright's Beach campground runs on its own reservation system and is open around the clock for registered campers - confirm the season and booking window. Seal pupping closures at Goat Rock apply in spring, and storms, high surf or coastal road work can close lots and trails at short notice. Fog is common, especially in summer mornings, so check the weather and surf report on the day you go.
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