Our MissionThe mission of the California Department ofParks and Recreation is to provide for thehealth, inspiration and education of thepeople of California by helping to preservethe state’s extraordinary biological diversity,protecting its most valued natural andcultural resources, and creating opportunitiesfor high-quality outdoor recreation.

www.parks.ca.gov

CALIFORNIASTATE PARKS

P. O. Box 942896Sacramento, CA

94296-0001

For information call:(800) 777-0369(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.711, TTY relay service

Sonoma Coast State BeachBodega Bay, CA 94923

(707) 875-3483 or (707) 865-2391

© 2004 California State Parks Printed on Recycled Paper

Sonoma CoastState Beach

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGERGovernor

MIKE CHRISMANSecretary for Resources

RUTH COLEMANDirector, California State Parks

his awe-inspiring shorelineoffers a wealth of opportunities

for wholesome fun. Whetheryou like to stroll along the beach,

fish, sunbathe, or settle downfor a family picnic, you will

be able to create manyunforgettable moments.

T

California State Parks does not discriminateagainst individuals with disabilities. Prior toarrival, visitors with disabilities who needassistance should contact the park at the phonenumber below. To receive this publication in analternate format, write to the CommunicationsOffice at the following address.

magine broad, sandy beaches, secludedcoves, rugged headlands, natural arches, acraggy coastline with fertile tide pools andoffshore reefs—this is Sonoma Coast StateBeach, one of California’s most scenic attrac-tions. A series of beaches separated by rockybluffs, Sonoma Coast has 16 miles of some ofthe most breathtaking scenery in the world.From Bodega Head to Vista Point near thecoastal town of Jenner, this awe-inspiringshoreline offers a wealth of opportunities forwholesome fun. Whether you like to strollalong the beach, fish, sunbathe, or settle downfor a family picnic, you will be able to createmany unforgettable moments along this stretchof Highway 1.

The weather here is often a chilly combina-tion of wind and fog. During the summermonths, the morning fog usually burns off tocreate pleasant, sunny afternoons. Evenduring the summer, however, visitors are wiseto dress for the possibility of wet, cold andwindy north coast weather.

NATIVE AMERICANS

The dominant native groups in this area werethe Pomo and Coast Miwok, whose presencedates back about 3,000 years. Pomo territoryonce encompassed much of today’sMendocino, Lake and Sonoma counties.Farther south, the Coast Miwok occupied partof Sonoma County and what is now MarinCounty. These groups built seasonal villagesof redwood bark houses along rivers andstreams and near what is now Bodega Bay. Forfood the native people hunted large and smallgame, caught fish and shellfish, and gathered

I acorns and various seeds. Both groups wereaccomplished basket makers. The Russian andAleutian fur trappers who arrived in the area inthe early 1800s may have been the Pomo andMiwok people’s first contact with non-natives.

The Pomo and the Miwok were amongseveral native groups who actively resisted theservitude forced on them, first by the Russiantrappers, and later by Spanish missionariesand hordes of gold seekers. Their resistancewas largely unorganized, usually taking theform of sabotage, random attacks or flight intothe surrounding countryside. However, withina generation or two, direct conflict and expo-sure to European diseases nearly decimatedthem. Today Pomo and Miwok descendentsstill occupy parts of these ancestral lands,keeping alive the old ways and passing themon to the next generation.

PLANT COMMUNITIES

The bluffs, slopes and dunes that frame themany beaches support a hardy ground cover ofnative shrubs, grasses and wildflowers. In thespring these areas are particularly beautiful,with displays of yellow and blue lupine, seapink, Indian paintbrush, western wallflower, seafig, verbena and dozens of other species ofnative wildflowers.

In 1951 a program was begun to stabilize thedrifting sand and keep it from filling BodegaBay. The dunes between the bay and SalmonCreek were planted with specialized grasses,including European beach grass, a speciesused to protect dikes in the Netherlands.

WILDLIFEMany types of animals make their homes inthis lush coastal environment. A luckyvisitor might catch a glimpse of raccoons,rabbits, black-tailed deer, skunks, squirrels,or, on rare occasions, elusive gray foxes orbadgers. The Sonoma Coast is also rich inbird life, with some 300 identified species.The many shore birds and other waterfowl inthe area include willets, godwits, gulls,cormorants, pelicans, coots and manyspecies of ducks. Among the land birdsthriving here are quail, ravens, wrens, hawks,owls and swallows.Whales—From December through April,volunteers assist visitors at Bodega Head inviewing the annual gray whale migrationfrom Alaska to Baja California and back.Seals—The Sonoma Coast, especially themouth of the Russian River, is home tohundreds of harbor seals. From Marchthrough June, seal pups are born, unable toswim and defenseless against predatorswhen left alone. Solitary pups have neitherbeen abandoned nor are they ill—theirmothers are feeding offshore. People whoapproach the pregnant females and new-born pups too closely are considered aserious threat. The seemingly tame sealsfrighten easily, and—like all wild animals—can inflict serious bites. Do not touch any ofthe pups, and keep your distance from anybeached seal.Tide pool creatures—Please do not disturbthe life in the tide pools. Even the simpleact of turning over a rock and exposing the

invertebrates to the sun or air can destroythem. These delicate animals usually dieafter being removed from their habitat.State law protects many species—checkwith park rangers and lifeguards, or consultthe latest sport fishing regulations forinformation on licensing, species, season,size and bag limit.

ACTIVITIES

Fishing—The ocean, bay and river frontageof the Sonoma coast are an angler’s para-dise. Sport fishing species include rockfish,perch, salmon, steelhead and smelt, as wellas red abalone, mussels and cockles. Avalid California sport fishing license isrequired.Picnicking—At Bodega Head, BodegaDunes, Rock Point, Duncans Landing,Wright’s Beach and Goat Rock Beach, picnictables and wide stretches of sandy beachentice visitors to stop and watch the surfpound against the rugged coastline. Mostday-use areas have restroom facilitiesnearby.Camping—Wright’s Beach Campground has30 developed sites near the beach. Noshower facilities are available. At BodegaDunes Campground, 98 developed siteshave restrooms, a campfire center, hot payshowers and a RV sanitation station. Ad-vance reservations are advised. From Junethrough September, camping stays arelimited to 10 consecutive days and a total of30 days annually. To reserve campsites atSonoma Coast State Beach, call (800) 444-7275. You may make reservations as muchas seven months or as little as 48 hours in

advance using your Visa, Discover orMasterCard, or by mail. Reservations can alsobe made online at www.reserveamerica.com.For general state park information, call(916) 653-6995.Environmental Camping—Pomo Canyon andWillow Creek environmental campgrounds donot require reservations. Both parking areasare located about 50 to 300 yards from thecampsites. To reach them take Highway 1about 8 miles north of Bodega Bay, turn right onWillow Creek Road, and follow the signs. If youare traveling on Highway 116, turn left ontoHighway 1, cross the bridge over the RussianRiver, and turn left onto Willow Creek Road.The Willow Creek Campground is about one-half mile east of Highway 1 on Willow CreekRoad. Turn left on the dirt road to the camp-ground parking area. The Pomo CanyonCampground is 2 miles farther along WillowCreek Road. Enter the open gate to the park-ing area. Please self-register at the “ironranger” (at the trailheads to the sites) as soonas you select a campsite. Place the paymentenvelope stub on your dash-board in a visible spot to avoid acitation. The length of stay inenvironmental sites is a maxi-mum of 7 consecutive days, nomore than 30 days per year.Eight people are allowed persite.Riding and Hiking—Equestriansand hikers can access the park’s5-mile trail system through theBodega Dunes, via Bay FlatRoad. Horses are allowed onto

Salmon Creek Beach by way of the trail, butare not allowed north of the boardwalk.Dogs are not permitted on any trails. TheKortum Trail begins at the Shell Beachparking lot and travels north. The PomoCanyon Trail, also out of the Shell Beachparking lot, winds over the hill 3 1/2 milesto the Pomo Canyon Campground.Jenner Visitor Center—Learn about thenatural and cultural history of the Jennerarea while enjoying a spectacular view ofthe Russian River. This volunteer-staffedfacility is only open on weekends throughthe summer months.

SURF SAFETY

The beaches along the Sonoma Coast arenot recommended for swimming or wading.The very things that make this area such aspectacular place to look at and enjoy canbe lethal to those caught unaware alongthe shoreline.

Large surf, cold water temperatures,backwash, sudden drop-offs, poundingshorebreak and dangerous rip currents

canturn what seem like safeactivities, such as playing nearthe surf line, wading, or climb-ing on rock outcroppings,deadly.

There is limited lifeguardservice along the SonomaCoast. Check with on-duty parkstaff about the ocean condi-tions. Please be aware thatconditions may change quicklyalong this coastline.

Duncan’s Cove

ACCESSIBLE FEATURES

• Of 3 designated accessible sites at Bodega Dunes Campground, only site #80 has furnishings on a firm, stable surface. Four restrooms with showers are generally acces- sible, and shower benches are usable.• There are 4 accessible picnic sites at the picnic area near the Vista Trail, with a gener- ally accessible pit toilet in the parking area.• The 1-mile Vista Trail overlooking the coastal bluffs is paved and accessible.• A 675-foot boardwalk out to Bodega Dunes is generally accessible, but some assistance may be required due to its length and blown sand.• Beach wheelchairs are available. Call (707) 875-3483 for information.

PLEASE REMEMBER• The shale formations of bluffs and rocks

are unstable and unsafefor climbing. Stay ontrails and heedwarning signs andfences.

• Fires are notpermitted in thedunes because ofthe high firedanger.

• Dogs are notallowed at GoatRock Beach.

• There is nodrinking water atthe environmentalcampsites. Bring

“Sleeper Wave” or “Rogue Wave”—Theseare names given to a wave that is larger thanthe average wave height. They can beunpredictable waves which may occur evenon days when most of the surf looks small andunspectacular. The cause of too manydrownings over the years, these large wavescatch people close to the shoreline by sur-prise, washing them into the cold, turbulentwater. Most victims were climbing on rocksand cliffs, playing near or in the surf, or shorefishing.Rip Currents—These are powerful, channeledcurrents of water flowing away from shore.They typically extend from the shoreline,through the surf zone, and past the line ofbreaking waves. Rip currents can occur at anybeach with breaking waves.

If you are caught in the seaward rush of a ripcurrent, do not panic or attempt to swimdirectly to the shore against the strongcurrent. Swim parallel to the shore until youare out of the rip current, then swim to shoreangling away from the rip current.

Even if you are unable to do this, thecurrent usually dissipates just beyond the surfline. At this point, you may swim around thecurrent and back to shore. Remember to swimat an angle away from the area to keep fromgetting caught up in the rip current again.

In an emergency dial 911. Try to remaincalm. Have someone spot the person introuble or keep your eyes on the person. Give aclear explanation of your location and stay onthe line with the dispatcher until you are toldotherwise. Only professionally trainedrescuers should attempt water rescues.

Goat Rock

an adequate supply for your stay.Vehicles may not be driven into theenvironmental camp sites. Camping in arecreational vehicle in the parking area isnot permitted.

• Pets are not allowed in the environmen- tal campgrounds. Wildlife will avoid places where domestic animals are kept.• Swimming or wading in the ocean is not recommended.• Fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided, or you may use a camp stove. Wood gathering is not permitted. Bring your own wood or purchase it at Bodega Dunes or Wright’s Beach campgrounds.• Keep your site clean. When you leave, it should look as though no one had ever been there.• Park Headquarters is located one mile north of Bodega Dunes campground at Highway 1.

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