Sonoma Coast State Park California

Sonoma Coast State Park Overview

Sonoma Coast State Park spans 17 miles from Bodega Head to Vista Trail (4 miles north of Jenner) and features long sandy beaches, a craggy coastline and secluded coves. Visitors can access the beach from more than a dozen points along coast Highway 1. The Salmon Creek Ranger Station is also located on Highway 1 midway between the South Salmon beach parking lot off of Bean Avenue and the North Salmon Beach parking lot.

Attractions

Bodega Head is the rocky headland that forms the entrance into Bodega Harbor. The harbor side provides a popular crabbing area along the jetty. There are many hiking trails on the ocean side allow access to sandy coves. The high cliffs also offer excellent vantage points for observing migrating gray whales.

Goat Rock, is near the mouth of the Russian River and known for its scenic shoreline and easily accessible sandy beach. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are also available. Goat Rock beach is home to a colony of harbor seals which are fun to watch.

Shell Beach is a favorite location for beachcombing and tide pooling. It is also a prime fishing spot.

Duncan’s Landing is famous for its unpredictable surf. It is also an early-day landing for loading small coastal ships with lumber.

Portuguese Beach & Schoolhouse Beach are beautiful sandy beaches surrounded by rocky headlands. Rock fishing and surf fishing are popular in these locations.

Salmon Creek Beach is located where a lagoon forms as sand closes the mouth of Salmon Creek. Nearly two miles of unbroken, scenic, sandy beach make this an excellent place for surf fishing, beachcombing, and picnicking.

Sonoma Coast State Park Camping

Bodega Dunes Campground has 98 single-family campsites and is located along the shoreline of Bodega Harbor in Sonoma Coast State Park. The sites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs (up to 31 feet).

Wright’s Beach offers 27 developed campsites located adjacent to the beach. There are no showers, but registered campers may use the token operated hot showers at Bodega Dunes Campground which is approximately 5 miles south.

Willow Creek Campground offers 11 first-come first-served primitive campsites. There are fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets available. All of the walk in campsites are within 1/4 mile from the parking lot and there is no running water. This is the only state park campground located near the Russian River.

Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground has about 21 walk-to (tent only) campsites set among a beautiful redwood grove in Sonoma Coast State Park. All sites are first-come, first-serve. The campground is usually open mid March through early October.

Make a Reservation for Sonoma Coast State Park

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Campground Host
• Campsite Tables
• Cell Service - Good
• Cell Service Fair
• Cell Service Poor
• Drinking Water
• Dump Station
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Grills
• Pets OK
• Picnic Tables
• Recycling Center
• Restrooms (Flush Toilets, Vault Toilets)
• Showers
• Trash Collection

Activities

• Beach
• Beach Access
• Beach Combing
• Biking
• Bird Watching
• Boating
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historic Sites
• Kayaking
• Mountain Biking
• Paddle boarding (SUP)
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Scuba Diving
• Snorkeling
• Surfing
• Walking Trails
• Whale Watching
• Wildlife Viewing