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    Salt Point State Park

    4.4 (114 reviews)

    Salt Point State Park Photos

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    Site we were in.

    Great CA state park. Well maintained and site was excellent!!! Park is close by to many attractions and beautiful coastal nature. Highly recommend!!

    dense forests right across from the ocean shore
    Camille S.

    This is my fiancée's favorite spot in California. And now is one mine as well! He decided to propose here and I must say the photos couldn't have been better. The entire area is the most gorgeous scenery, with the roaring ocean and right behind is a dense forest. No matter where you're coming from the drive there is stunning. It's usually pretty quiet with only one or two other groups. The rangers are so kind and keep the park looking its best. If you're looking for a spot quieter than Bodega Bay, this is your spot!!

    Dyanna Q.

    Make sure not to get confused between the Pygmy Forest in Salt Point State Park and the Pygmy Forest in Discovery Point. They are about 2 hours away from each other. I liked this trail because it was both challenging, scenic, and had good signage. We went up the Central Trail from the parking lot next to the Ranger Station and took a left to get to the North Trail. There is a pretty good incline so you will get a good workout! I liked this way because it was well-shaded and you can see the stark difference between regular redwoods and evergreens and the Pygmy Forest. You know when you hit the Pygmy Forest because the soil changes and there is so much sky overhead (plus the signs). I thought the change was really interesting and worth the visit. We then headed back down the Central Trail to the parking lot. It took about 1.5 hours to get through 3.4 miles of trail. There were also really interesting wildflowers but hardly any animals. I recommend checking it out - it's a fun hike and interesting natural occurrence!

    Ben A.

    Camping in the California state park system can be frustrating, white with six month in advance reservations often required, crowds, no hook ups in most places, and the occasional bureaucratic idiocy of things like randomly canceled reservations for no apparent reason. Seriously it happens a lot. Still, California is "hated" by most of the country for a reason - - among them, our absolutely breathtaking natural resources, beautiful coast line, relatively mild weather, and just space! Salt point State Park is well enough off the beaten path to preserve a lot of the natural beauty of the area; unlike areas closer to civilization, this little spot just off Highway one she is relatively lighter camping traffic than most places. Every couple of years, my family and I head up this direction, with two camping options: gristle Cove, which is a top and Oceanside promontory, or the Woodside campgrounds, on the other side of Highway one. Both are great campgrounds, with decent amenities like flush toilets and shade in most camp sites. The real story here is the northern California coast line. Everywhere your point your camera looks like a postcard, with waves crashing against rocks, tide pools, and unique honeycombed sandstone rock features here. The hike along the coastal trails offer breathtaking views, and if you are properly licensed, there are some pretty awesome fishing and diving opportunities in the immediate area if you know what you're doing. There's plenty of wildlife here, ranging from harbor seals to tide pool creatures, small salamanders in the forest departs, foxes, birds of prey, and more plants then you can probably name. The weather can swing wildly here even in a single day, with fog, sunshine, calm, and strong winds all a possibility... Even in a single day. Cell phone service is hit or miss here, and if you're looking for a nearby grocery store, you're going to have a bad time. But unlike other beach camping that is closer to civilization, you would be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful and desolate spot along the California coast. The only noteworthy exception is that if your campsite is fairly close to the highway, you will hear a bit of road noise as lumber trucks and other folks zip up and down a two lane Highway 1.

    Kathy V.

    Found this beauty through a friend. She recommended the hike was a gorgeous one so I made it a must. Located off Hwy 1 Gorgeous views with the ocean crashing into each other. The structure of the rocks were like no other as they are formed into salt rocks. You can also boulder or fish around the area. Peep out of my photos! Perfect day hike.

    Gerstle Cove
    Dong Wook C.

    One stop you should make at Salt Point State Park is Gerstle Cove. There will be a sign along Hwy 1 that states Gerstle Cove Campground. There is a booth at the entrance where you will have to pay $8 to enter and park. At the end of the parking lot is the trail that leads you to beautiful viewpoints of the ocean and the famous Tafoni formations this park is known for. Lots of photo opportunities here. It does get chilly and windy along the ocean so dress appropriately.

    Campsite picnic table and deteriorating food storage locker
    Vanessa C.

    The location of the park is great - close to the beach with amazing views as you walk along the ocean. We also enjoyed our hike through some of the trails learning about the trees and plants in the area - but this is definitely not my favorite state park to camp at. We were camping here a couple months ago and the campsite was in pretty bad shape. The wooden food storage locker, attached to the picnic table, was literally falling apart and covered in spider webs. We couldn't use it at all. We walked around some of the other campsites after people checked out of them. Several sites were in the same condition, although ours was definitely the worst.

    Stump Beach
    Lisa W.

    I had not camped at Salt Point in many many years & when looking for a family camping trip for my kids & grandkids, this campground came to mind. I once stayed at the Woodside sites in the past but it was much too crowded with sites close together so chose the Gerstle Cove section which is smaller & some sites are well spaced. So glad to make this decision as most the sites were quite nice. Our site was spacious , but did not have many trees so when the wind kicked up, we were quite chilled. The kids loved the huge field/meadow next to us to run around in. The short hike to the coast is beautiful and once you arrive at the water, you'll be blown away by the pure beauty. Please note this is not a beach and not advisable to get too close to the waters edge. The best beach nearby is Stump Beach which is in a cove and has sand. My family took the short drive there and I opted to hike (approx 1.5 miles each way). The views from the hike were absolutely spectacular! The water color is beautiful, the sandstone remarkable and once in a while you'll spot a sea lion sunning on a rock. There is also a nature center at the campground which the kids loved and a short walk down to a rocky beach.

    K G.

    Salt Point State Park is absolutely amazing! The views of the coast are breathtaking, the sandstone rocks are like no other, and you can see harbor seals at times. Salt Point State Park is a 6,000 acre park so there is so much to see. We went really early and saw harbor seals. I have heard the sunsets are gorgeous from this park, although I have never seen them myself. This is a beautiful place to go hiking. People also go camping and fishing here as well. I would recommend dressing in layers and possibly having either a beanie, a hooded jacket, and/or ear muffs because the cool weather and strong winds made my ears really cold so it's good to come prepared.

    Coastal view
    Gene B.

    Overall, the campground is great. Each site is spaced out just right enough leaving you with just enough privacy. However, if your site is next to the restroom such as ours (site 15) it may or may not affect the foot traffic. It wasn't too bad for us as we had campers who had the curtesy to walk around. Accessibility to the coast is not as close as you think, but a good hike will get you there. There are a few things I don't like. Their spigots are none threaded. The only threaded spigot was at the camphost site. At the time there was no host present and the spigot was shutoff without a knob. Bring pliers just in case as you may need it. I on the other hand did not bring pliers and our spigot adapter was near to useless but with patience we prevailed filling our fresh water tank. Another annoying thing was the loop road was narrow and seem to be one directional as the majority was entering one way. It may not be a problem for everyone, but keep in mind some sites are angled the opposite direction which makes backing in challenging. For travel trailers, I recommend booking sites along the outer edge of the loop. Watch out for their security guard. Don't take his advice or comments seriously as he does not know what he is talking about and would just waste your time. Also, there's no dump station. The closest dump station would be in the Bodega Bay campgrounds that I'm aware of. If I would have known so many things I was clueless about, my stay would have been more pleasant. Camping is not always having your way. I've managed to make the best of it and would gladly return.

    Kaori M.

    Very, very beautiful park. Salt Point trail is the best. It is along the ocean. In spring, there are a lot of pretty wildflowers on the meadow one side, the other side is amazing blue Pacific Ocean. Several points, there are seals. They are so cute. We had a nap on the meadow. So relaxing. Some portions have poison oak. If you are sensitive like me, watch out!

    Kaylan S.

    Wild, mossy, and filled with fantastic mushrooms. Quiet and peaceful. Relatively easy and quite an off the beaten path feeling hike.

    Beach close to the campsite
    Shalu S.

    Beautiful beaches, very close to the campground. Campsites are good size, bathrooms are clean. We did face a scary scene when few kids in our group were attacked by yellow jackets, fortunately there were helping campers nearby with alcohol wipes and some medical knowledge but other than that we loved our stay there. There are nice seafood places close to the campsite that we explored while coming back

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    Nothing bad to say. This place is amazingly beautiful and the water is crystal clear. Even caught a fish off the rocks!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Salt Point State Park

    Review Highlights - Salt Point State Park

    The wife and I researched a few spots and found ONE remaining spot at Salt Point State Park at a site called Gerstle Cove.

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    Sonoma Coast State Park

    Sonoma Coast State Park

    4.7(58 reviews)
    14.7 mi

    The Sonoma Coast near Jenner was a nice stop during our trip. We weren't completely blown away, but…read moreit was still a pleasant place to visit and take in the scenery. The coastline is rugged and peaceful, and it was really cool to see the seal nursery - lots of seals lounging and playing, which was definitely the highlight. Jenner has a quiet, calm vibe, making it a good spot to get some fresh air, take photos, and enjoy a low-key coastal view. Overall, a nice experience if you're already in the area.

    I solo adventured to Sonoma Coast State Park in approximately 2018. I was looking for a beach a…read morenice drive away from where I was living in the East San Francisco Bay Area and had found this site listed on the California State Parks website. I went exploring around a large rock named Goat Rock. I did not see any of the hoofed ungulates on my visit. To the south of Goat Rock, the beach was a little narrowed with occasional pieces of rounded sea glass and intact mussel shells. I picked one of the shells up and noticed a faint violet color. It was one of those light phenomena where exposure to light drains the color from the shell, meaning the next day the faint violet color was gone. Parking was limited and I was fortunate to arrived before the masses. There were not any trees for shade on the beach, though the cool of the water on my feet did provide reprieve from the warmth for my feet.

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    Sonoma Coast State Park
    Sonoma Coast State Park
    Sonoma Coast State Park

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    Jenner Headlands Preserve

    Jenner Headlands Preserve

    4.9(11 reviews)
    13.1 mi

    Dog-friendly hiking?! Sign us up!…read more What an absolutely beautiful preserve! The parking lot was full on Sunday midday so we had to backtrack along the road to an auxiliary pullout parking area. Next time we'll drop off one human and the pups before moving the car as it was sketchy walking our pups on Rt 1. There's a nice Info Center at the trailhead, with signage and maps - both posted and printed copies to take. Bathrooms are just a short walk down the trail. There are various trail options, with I think up to 15 miles if you're up for the challenge. We planned to hike ~4 miles but the steep trail was in the direct sun and we all started feeling it. I don't think there's any water on the trail, so bring more than you think you need. We hiked ~1.5 miles up and our pups were getting a bit too warm so turned it around. Not mad about it as we enjoyed stunning ocean views on the way down/back. We all still enjoyed a workout and some peaceful time out in nature. Cows live on the preserve so expect to see cow pies/dung along the path. We didn't see any upclose, but there are warning signs at the trailhead advising you what to do. Despite the full parking lot, the trail wasn't crowded. We can't wait to return!

    It's been a while since we have been to Jenner Headlands Preserve and every time I go it blows me…read moreaway! This place is full of trails and natural beauty. The views of the ocean are spectacular and it's well worth spending some time here soaking in the views! Pro tip: Arrive early since it's common that by noon if not earlier, the parking lot can fill up since so many people love this place!

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    Jenner Headlands Preserve
    Jenner Headlands Preserve
    Jenner Headlands Preserve

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    Ocean Cove Campground

    Ocean Cove Campground

    4.4(112 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    Absolutely beautiful coastal campground! This might just be the most beautiful place I've ever…read morecamped at! Not to mention, the drive up Highway 1 was breathtaking! On to the campground! My friends and I don't have any trailers or anything, so we just did regular car camping, which was totally fine. You can find a picnic table and fire pit with bbq grill at each regular car campsite. There are various porta potties throughout the campground, and I believe one shower area. Since the ocean is literally feet away, be prepared for sandy/dusty everything. And obviously, colder weather as well. Also, there's lots of coastal area to explore within the campground, and I saw people fishing off the cliffs and rocks as well! This campground closes during the winter, so I'll definitely try to visit again in the Spring!

    Arriving was tricky because it was late and dark. Luckily our other party members had already…read morearrived, so they met us at entrance. We tent camped and waking up to the sounds of crashing waves, smells of early risers cooking breakfast, emerging from my slumber to feast my eyes on the Pacific Ocean crashing against our California Coastline... ahhh ZEN We hiked, sort of. Just down to the tide pool area (or whatever ya call it), checking out rock formations. I found a couple of heart shaped rocks and even made a face from rocks. I called him "stoned"... Before we left come Sunday, I rocked a table. Meaning I painted a rock and left a piece of my inner peace to the finder (whomever it would be). Sincerely C.Wray

    Photos
    Ocean Cove Campground - Beautiful view

    Beautiful view

    Ocean Cove Campground - Founds lots of washed up jelly fish on the boat launch

    Founds lots of washed up jelly fish on the boat launch

    Ocean Cove Campground - Ocean cove

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    Ocean cove

    Shell Beach - Gorgeous view. Missing the beautiful cypress that came down last year though.

    Shell Beach

    5.0(7 reviews)
    16.6 mi

    This is a small secluded beach with a pretty steep stairway down to the beach from the parking lot…read more It's a good bit of cardio climbing up and down. The parking lot has lots of spaces and it's free. The restroom is well maintained, port a potty style, no running water. Once on the beach it's a smaller area, easy walk to the water and the rocks at the end. There's a small tide pool area too. A nice relaxing beach with not many people, so can enjoy it almost to yourself. There are also many trails off the parking lot. I walked the Kortum Trail - it's a beautiful trail with stretches of wooden paths, sprawling greenery with mountains to on side and the, coast along the other. This trail leads to goat rock. It's a pretty steep incline towards the end but worth the views when you reach the top. It's a 2.3 mile round trip hike. I wish I had read a little history before I went on the hike, I later learned the large rocks you can see from the trail are named "Mammoth Rocks" it's believed the Mammoths rubbed against the rocks and created smooth polished patches 10-14 ft high. Probably end of ice age 10 to 14 thousand years ago. Great area, beautiful state beach and lots of hiking with breathtaking views of the coast.

    Shell Beach is a favorite location for beach combing and tide pooling. Note that the walk down to…read morethe beach is a little steep so take your time. There are many hiking trails that start from this beach. Some are flat with gorgeous views if you want to walk and soak in the views. If you are looking for more of a challenging hike with an incline there is the Shell Beach to Pomo Canyon or the Shell Beach to Red Hill loop. You will just need to cross the road. There is a large parking lot and the parking is free. They also have bathrooms that are well kept. Whatever trail you decide you will have picturesque views of the Sonoma Coast. Enjoy this beautiful area on the Sonoma Coast. These pictures are of the Shell Beach to Red Hill hike around 10:30am, before the fog burned off for the day.

    Photos
    Shell Beach - Thankful for the beauty and coolness of the beach during the heatwave

    Thankful for the beauty and coolness of the beach during the heatwave

    Shell Beach - Steep steps up & down to this beautiful and small beach

    Steep steps up & down to this beautiful and small beach

    Shell Beach - Wonderful walking paths along the Pacific!

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    Wonderful walking paths along the Pacific!

    Salt Point State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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