Sonoma Coast State Park

Gorgeous state park stretching from North of the Russian river to down to Bodega headlands she’ll beach, goat rock state beach, great hiking splendid beaches

Summer is not the best time to hike here. Not because of the heat but its bone dry and trails are dusty. Plus it can be pretty foggy even in the afternoons. Spring time when the grass is green is awesome but when the greenery is offline its pretty blah. Many reviewers gushing here probably visited during spring time. Save your drive and visit a nearby redwood forest in summer.

Took my wife and our son there last week. We had a great time. Nice quiet beach. My son had a great time playing with rocks and drift wood. Lots of beautiful views!

one of the most beautiful stretches of nature around. no 4g (you have been warned), bring a map or stop at the visitor center in Janner.

Amazing place to watch the sunset– not crowded and you can walk all over the hills/​fields/​rocks and find a private place to hang out. The place is huge! Can’t wait to go back! Dogs can go too, on leash and not on the beach apparently but there are plenty of other places to walk with them there.

I had to make a business listing for this part of Sonoma Coast State Beach because it is not Bodega Bay or Salmon Creek and is significant enough to get its own list.
This is strictly a park but what a park. While Sonoma Coast State Beach is quite large it is full of scenery that is so beautiful I wouldn’t want to see this part of the park overlooked. I have not seen any photos of this part of the park in any of the other listings so I felt compelled to have to add it as a listing.
So I found this part of the park by Google streetview as just a photo, not really a view on the part of the street and as we came closer to this. In case your GPS doesn’t register the address I put in (best I could do) try this as the follow coordinates:
38.441 537, –123.125 737
This should take you to the «rock» at the end of the State Park Rd where these is parking and a view of the rocks to the south in the middle of the ocean and the beach on the right.
If you are in Sonoma county I implore you to check out this part of the park. It is breathtaking.

This is such a beautiful beach. Not crowded and full of gorgeous views. Not great for swimming as the water is freezing and dangerous in places.

We went on an amazing hike here. We started way far back in the camp ground area at the end of willow creek rd. We hiked a trail called Pomo canyon trail. We went through a beautiful redwood grove, the trail was mostly uphill hill, and mildly challenging. Then the trail opens up to rolling hills, and a breath taking view of the Russian River, and the vast Pacific ocean. At the top of this hill was some very awesome picnicking spots with tables. The view from up here was astonishing, and a great reminder why I pride myself as born, and raised a Sonoma County local. And why now matter where in the world I go, I always want to come back home!!!
Anyhow, a more direct route to get to this awesome picnic spot would be to park at Shell beach, and walk across coastal hwy 1, and up the hill on Pomo canyon trail, until you see the picnic tables at the top of the hill. Enjoy… and don’t trash the place, or I will hunt you down, and it wont be pretty!!!

My friend brought me to an amazon spot called Sunset Beach! It was beautiful and secluded. The Russian river flows to a very shallow inlet. You can kayak, body board or just even float. There is a $ 7.00 parking fee — and you can charge it if you don’t have cash. Worth the drive up north!

All the previous reviews are spot on and I want to put my vote in as well for this 5 star piece of nature. Spend the morning, afternoon, evening or the whole day and enjoy the splendor of nature. Personally I can’t get enough of the views, vistas, panoramas, and wild life at a place that is almost like a private location on some days (especially early). Thank you Sonoma Coast. and Thanks to Duncan Mills for the nice pastries to take to the beach.

Shell beach is a terrific spot for sunset views, tide-​pooling and hiking. There is a wide variety of shells, rocks and pyrite even to be found. Something about the position of the beach makes it a great spot for geologists and folks looking for minerals or rocks. Field trips often visit w/​schoolbuses of kids during the weekdays. Although the bathrooms were worst I have ever seen and on a weekend off season I was surprised at how dirty they were.

BEACH ACCESS
I am not sure what the beach access is called but its off of Kornum Trail. I think it might be Blind Beach as Goat Rock was closed. Maybe some one will correct mt
I think after reading the other reviews that this is it… the big amazing rock formation.
Steep walk down through some shrub and steps. If you have babies or lots to carry it could be hard.
Beach– small rocky until you get to water. Nice soft sand. Small enough area. Dogs allowed. Didn’t see outhouse or any other facilities. Parking either off road or small parking lot. Not swimming as the undertoe seemed rough.

Joe and I were looking for a fun Northern California trip to get out of the city for a little bit, and the options are numerous at the Sonoma Coast State Park. Truly, some of the most beautiful Northern Cailfornian coastline around — it is absolutely gorgeous. We went to Shell Beach & Goat Rock — both worth checking out. In fact, every single beach I’m sure is worth checking out, wish we had more time. A great, gorgeous getaway.

This State Park has two great beaches at the bottom of a tremendous cliff that runs along the coast.
Blind Beach is a dog friendly beach, Goat Rock is not.
Both beaches are magnificent and have amazing rock formations that shape the view. It looks much like Oregon’s Cannon Beach (of Goonie’s fame). There was ample parking, but no running water. Two outhouses are all you have.
Be prepared for a 10 degree drop in air temp compared to 5 miles inland and take a deep breath when sticking your toes in the ocean… it’s like ice cubes and instantly numbs your feet.
This is a great beach to pack it in for the day!

Our first time here and the scenery is magnificent. The color of the surf pounding the rocks in incredible.
Plenty of walking trails along the rocky ledges or hike above on the hills for a different but equally impressive view.
Bring a jacket or sweater, the temperature along with the breeze cools things down quite a bit.
One caution, while the waves and surf are beautiful, going in the water or out on the rocks is dangerous and not advised.

Into the ocean blue sails One-​Eyed Willy’s pirate crew.
Remember The Goonies? Yep. That’s right. The beach scenes of that ‘80s classic were filmed right here at Goat Rock. Steven Spielberg could not have picked a more enchanting backdrop for the movie’s finale.
This windswept beach, with its craggy shoreline, is spellbindingly beautiful. And the sound of retreating waves washing over countless pebbles carpeting the shore is simply mesmerizing.
p. s.: On the day we visited, no goats were in sight. Instead, thousands of seagulls greeted us (photos of them posted on Unilocal).

This one of those places that no one really know about, yet its always packed when you get there… lol
Located a mere three miles from Bodega Bay, the state park is perfectly situated at the mouth of the word famous Russian River and provides a magnificent ocean environment for anyone just wanting chill and get away from life.
However, if the sight of twenty foot ocean waves scare the hell out you, then you can simply walk over to the portion of the beach that straddles the Russian River and have a mellow picnic lunch by the riverside.
Out of all the things you might see here: kite flyer’s, families, bbq’ers hikers, and sea lions and maybe the occasional whale if your lucky… The one thing you will NOT see at Goat Rock are swimmers.
Goat Rock is one of the most dangerous beaches in California with massive undertows and rip currents. Think Ocean Beach times thousand. So, unless you want to die, I strongly suggest you pay attention to the numerous signs posted throughout the Park basically saying, «If you go into the water, you’re going to die!»

Dear Goat Rock —
The stuff you witnessed me doing at night as a teenager was both illegal and beautiful. Thank you for coloring my memories. You are also gorgeous now, if not ridiculously windswept in the winter. Thank for taking care of all the seals. I am sure they thank you too. Hope to see you soon.
Love, Sarah

Goat Rock Beach is absolutley Magnificent! It reminds me why I love Northern California so much. You are only 30 miles outside of San Francisco and yet you are worlds away.
Goat Rock Beach has sandy beaches, with beautiful wildflowers along side Jenners rocky sea cliffs. The Russian River empties into the mouth of this bright green sea that is often a playground for harbor seals and sea lions.
It is a beachcombers paradise!

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.