California Coastal Access Guide, Seventh Edition. California Coastal Commission
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POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE: End of Lighthouse Rd., W. of Hwy. One. The 115-foot-tall lighthouse was built in 1870. Panoramic views from the top; guided tours available. Open daily, 10:00 AM–3:30 PM (until 4:30 PM during the summer); closed on major holidays. The visitor center and gift shop are wheelchair accessible. Call: 707-882-2809.
▪ Popular place to spot migrating gray whales, November–early May
▪ Lodging available on site
POINT ARENA HEADLAND: 2 mi. N. of Point Arena, W. of Hwy. One. Two miles of shoreline surrounding Point Arena Lighthouse are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. There is access to the shoreline from Lighthouse Rd., 1.3 miles from Hwy. One. Additional access to public lands on the east side of Lighthouse Rd. is immediately outside the lighthouse entry gate. Motor vehicles, bicycles, and camping are prohibited. Call: 707-468-4000. The headland is a planned addition to the California Coastal National Monument, which comprises small islands, reefs, and rocks.
▪ Hiking
▪ Equestrian use
▪ Wildlife observation
GARCIA RIVER ACCESS: 2.4 mi. N. of Point Arena, W. of Hwy. One. Unimproved Miner Hole Rd. leads from Hwy. One to a turn-around on the south bank of the river. A half-hidden path leads to the riverbank. No facilities.
ARENA COVE: End of Iversen Ave./Port Rd., 1 mi. W. of Hwy. One, Point Arena. Pier has a boat hoist and fish cleaning tables. Call: 707-882-2583.
▪ Pier fishing
▪ Restaurants and lodging are adjacent
MOAT CREEK BEACH: W. of Hwy. One, 2 mi. S. of Point Arena. Short trail to a rocky beach; a separate loop trail leads south from the parking area along the bluff. Day use only.
BOWLING BALL BEACH: W. of Hwy. One, 3.7 mi. S. of Point Arena. Located midway between Moat Creek Beach and Schooner Gulch Beach, with no direct public access of its own. At low tide, walk north along the shoreline from Schooner Gulch State Beach.
▪ During minus tides, round rocks and straight grooves like bowling lanes make a great photo opportunity
SCHOONER GULCH STATE BEACH: W. of Hwy. One at Schooner Gulch Rd., 3.8 mi. S. of Point Arena. Park on the shoulder of Hwy. One, southbound, opposite Schooner Gulch Road. Trail leads to the beach. Day use only. Call: 707-937-5804.
▪ Picnicking
▪ Fishing
▪ Surfing
OVERLOOK: W. of Hwy. One, milepost 10.52. Paved parking; fine views.
HEARN GULCH: W. of Hwy. One, N. of Iversen Rd., 5.5 mi. N. of Anchor Bay. Roadside pull-out at Hwy. One milepost 10.0. Steep trail to a white-sand beach.
▪ Launch spot for experienced kayakers and divers
▪ Saunders Reef offshore is a popular surfing destination
Mendocino County
Anchor Bay to Gualala
FISH ROCK BEACH: At Anchor Bay Campground, .2 mi. N. of town of Anchor Bay. Public beach access and camping are available at the privately owned Anchor Bay Campground. The sandy beach has scattered rocks and tidepools. The campground has 30 overnight sites with picnic tables and firepits; most have water hookups, and some have electrical hookups. Coin-operated showers, fish-cleaning house, and a dive-gear wash area. Fee for day use or camping. Call: 707-884-4222.
▪ Fishing
▪ Abalone diving
▪ Trail climbs the bluff to the village of Anchor Bay
COLLINS LANDING: At Serenisea Lodge, 1.7 mi. S. of town of Anchor Bay. Steep trail and stairs are at the north end of the Serenisea Lodge. Public use of the accessway requires the permission of the Serenisea Lodge management; the lodge office, open 9 AM–8 PM daily, adjacent to the accessway. For information, call: 707-884-3836.
ST. ORRES CREEK: Hwy. One, 2.5 mi. N. of Gualala. A very steep, unimproved path at St. Orres Creek leads down to a cove beach, starting on the road shoulder at milepost 3.30.
BONHAM TRAIL TO COOK’S BEACH: Hwy. One, milepost 3.10, 2.3 mi. N. of Gualala. The beach is accessible from the northern end of the old Coast Highway frontage road, signed CR 526, opposite the onion-domed St. Orres Inn. Nice blufftop views of the beach. A path leads downhill to the sandy cove known as Cook’s Beach, with abundant driftwood. Limited shoulder parking; no facilities. Call: 707-884-4426.
GUALALA RIVER: W. of Hwy. One at Gualala. Access to the river mouth is available from Gualala Point Regional Park on the south bank of the river.
GUALALA BLUFF TRAIL: Hwy. One, at Gualala. A path runs along the bluff on the river side of Gualala’s commercial strip; benches and picnic tables are along the trail. Park in town; pedestrian access from Hwy. One is via the driveway through the Surf Motel or through the Sea Cliff Center complex. For information, call: 707-884-4426.
▪ Lovely views of the Gualala River mouth
▪ River otters can sometimes be spotted cavorting on the beach below
South Kibesillah Gulch View Area
Old timber haul road spanning Pudding Creek