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    Shell Beach

    5.0 (7 reviews)

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    Recommended Reviews - Shell Beach

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    Shayla B.

    Kind of shocked that nobody else has reviewed this gorgeous beach, but also not so shocked because I'm sure they were all trying to keep it a secret. Well folks... guess I'll let this one out of the bag. Shell Beach is absolutely stunning! It's just one of the many beaches located within Sonoma Coast State Park. But one of the big differences between this beach and the others is that it's much more secluded. Yes you'll find other people enjoying this beach too, but there won't be a big crowd of people. There's a nice sized parking lot along with several spots on the side of the road to park if the lot gets full. There are also restrooms here and they seem to keep them pretty clean and well stocked with toilet paper. This beach is also the hub for many hiking trails including the Kortum trail and the Pomo Canyon Trail that's located right across the street. What I enjoyed most about Shell Beach were the picturesque views and how warm it was. Beautiful white waves and gorgeous rocks in the distance. You'll even have the perfect view of nearby Arch Rock. The waves are gentle and the wind gusts aren't very heavy it tends to stay warmer on this side. There are so many places to setup shop and relax on this beach too. I didn't get into the water so I can't really comment on the sand or the tides, but just looking at this beauty was enough to satisfy me. And the people that you will run into are so chill. Minding their own business but still friendly enough to say hello if you so happen to pass them by. Also found some really pretty shells while I was there. One thing to note is that the trek down to the beach is a little steep but still totally doable. Just be careful when you reach the log steps because a few of them weren't actually bolted down like the others were. It's also very family friendly. Saw a few kids playing in the water when I touched down. It's a lot smaller than the other beaches nearby, but still spread out enough to be enjoyable. Looking forward to coming back here again for some hiking and for more beach play.

    Greenstone
    Scott H.

    Geologic wonderland. Beautiful beach in a relatively sheltered area. Black sand.The speech is not for swimming, it's for lying on the beach, admiring the geology, or hiking. This is one of the best places to see a huge variety of the rocks from The Franciscan melange.

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    Bodega Dunes Campgrounds - Non-stop Oyster

    Bodega Dunes Campgrounds

    3.9(108 reviews)
    6.1 mi

    March 15-18, 2025 We…read morestayed in Site 76, which is close to the bay. You could see the bay from our campsite, and the road that runs around the bay. The park backs up to some private residences along the bay road. So it was not exactly rustic and peaceful, but it was still a nice place to hang out for a few days. As long as you can tune out the foghorn, you'll be okay. If that kind of thing bothers you (it would have driven me crazy in my younger years), then you best be as far from the bay as you can get. The foghorn sounds every 10 seconds, fog or no fog, 24/7. Most of the campsites have plenty of room, but some are better and more spacious than others. You can hike the dune trail from the campground (no dogs allowed, but watch for horses). We drove to the parking lot at the beach area, and walked down to the beach. It seemed nice, but it was windy and a bit rainy, so I didn't spend much time checking it out. Besides, I'm more interested in dog-friendly beaches. I'm sure that the campground has a totally different feel during the summer months, but in March, there was not much activity. We were one of the few campers in our campground loop, so very low key. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Tokens are needed for the shower. The token machine accepts dollar bills. Special Notes: No dogs allowed on the trails or on the beach. Motorhomes are limited to 31 feet. There is an RV water filling and dump station. As for the dune trails, I thought I could hike to the beach from the campground. But I hiked the trail to the road, crossed the road, and then the trail branched off onto several different pathways, all which ended abruptly. So I don't recommend it, at least not in March. May be a bit different in summer. Overall, this state park is a decent home base for exploring Bodega Bay and the Sonoma Coast.

    Interesting to see folks bring out a dorm room on wheels and consider that "camping." Come on…read moreman...that's glamping at best. And if you drag a vehicle with your mobile dorm room? That's just silly. 'Murica!!! But people do that and I'm not concerned with it. It's location, location, location here. If you aren't in your motorized shell, the ocean can be heard at night and cool breezes can be felt. Or shack up in your tin can on wheels and "enjoy!" Really, it's a short drive from the bay, or even from the greater Sacramento area so sure, bring it all! Leave the oppressive heat and wear pants for a change. Bring shoes and maybe take a hike...leave the extra car at home. Maybe bring some food items with you. The stores are expensive and have great seafood but they aren't meant to supply for longer stays.

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    Bodega Dunes Campgrounds - Breakfast

    Breakfast

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    Inside our seating clam

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    Shell Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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