Things To Do

Go Swimming

Although there’s no public pool, there is very family friendly swimming just down the road at the Gualala River.

Hike Beaches

Schooner Gulch State Beach, aka Bowling Ball Beach, needs to be low tide to show the bowling balls.  The best way to access this stretch of coast is not from Schooner Gulch Beach but rather from an entry point a bit further north.  From Anchor Bay, go north on Highway 1 about 7 miles.  At about mile 5 the road runs along open field bluff tops with a pretty clear view of the ocean.  Then it dips down and you’ll see Schooner Gulch Road on the East and a parking area for Schooner Gulch Beach on the West side.  This is a dangerous parking area because traffic flies around blind corners here at 60 mph. Instead of parking there, keep going north.  You’ll notice a private airstrip on the east side of Highway 1 and then the highway dips and crosses Brush Creek.  There is a wide spot for parking on the East side of the road and a noticeable yellow highway call box with an emergency phone.  If you park there, you can cross the highway, hike a little way up hill to the north and then you’ll see the trail head leading down to the beach.  Once down at the beach, you can hike South along the beach to the bowling balls or North over the hill to Moat Creek.

Visit Point Arena Lighthouse

The Point Arena lighthouse is newly remodeled and open. The lands surrounding the lighthouse are now administered by the federal BLM and open to the public for hiking, diving, etc.  There’s good hiking along the top of the bluff out on the Light House Road.  The road to the lighthouse is on Highway one about a mile north of Pt. Arena.  The road is well marked.  Drive down this road until you can’t drive any closer to the water.  At this point the road veers right, to the north but you’ll also notice some parking sports right at this corner of the road. Park, hike south along the bluffs.  Great spot.

See Sea Ranch

Blacks Beach is a great beach to explore. It’s immediately north of Sea Ranch Lodge.  For $5 you can park in the public access parking lot  and skip across the field to the stairway headed down to the beach.

Explore the Gualala River Mouth

You can enter the Gualala Point Regional Park on the south side of the Gualala River. Be careful when you get down to the beach, especially in the winter. The surf gets huge and it’s dangerous for kids and even adults.

Play at the Beach

Anchor Bay Campground, which is at the bottom of our road, has a very child friendly beach.  It’s protected from most waves and a great sandy beach.  You can pay $3 for parking in the campground or you can park at the bottom on Sunset, walk in and avoid paying for the car.

Watch Zebras

There’s a preserve just east of Pt. Arena for African hoofed animals called the Bryan Preserve.  You can call ahead to make reservations to see the animals being fed. Very fun!

Visit an Organic Farm

Oz Farm in Point Arena is sometimes open to the public if you call for an appointment.