Point Arena Guidebook
Beaches
There are two different beaches at this location. Bowling Ball Beach is the most popular but it is a bit of a hike down. The trailhead will be on the north side of the parking area.
The other beach here is Schooner Gulch and it's an easier walk. the trailhead is located on the south side of the parking area and is a very clear trailhead. The beach is very nice, on the larger side (tide depending) and has a seasonal shallow river/creek that kids love to play in.
43 locals recommend
Bowling Ball Beach
There are two different beaches at this location. Bowling Ball Beach is the most popular but it is a bit of a hike down. The trailhead will be on the north side of the parking area.
The other beach here is Schooner Gulch and it's an easier walk. the trailhead is located on the south side of the parking area and is a very clear trailhead. The beach is very nice, on the larger side (tide depending) and has a seasonal shallow river/creek that kids love to play in.
Cooks Beach
Great beach if you are in Gualala. It can get busy however.
Manchester Beach
Great beach with an easy walk. *No dogs allowed*
One of our favorite beaches in Sea Ranch. I believe it’s about 1/4 mile walk from the parking lot located right off hwy 1. If you stay on the trail that parallels the beach, there is also a cute little playground north of shell beach, on the right (opposite the beach), called One Eye Jacks Playground. Its a little ways back from the trail so you may not see it if you’re not looking for it.
53 locals recommend
Shell Beach
One of our favorite beaches in Sea Ranch. I believe it’s about 1/4 mile walk from the parking lot located right off hwy 1. If you stay on the trail that parallels the beach, there is also a cute little playground north of shell beach, on the right (opposite the beach), called One Eye Jacks Playground. Its a little ways back from the trail so you may not see it if you’re not looking for it.
HIking
Pelican Bluffs
Great hiking and sight seeing spot!
Many great hiking trails here. Also on the same road as the Point Arena Lighthouse
46 locals recommend
Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands
Many great hiking trails here. Also on the same road as the Point Arena Lighthouse
Wonderful hiking/biking trails with ocean and bluff views. Many paved trails making it more stroller friendly
46 locals recommend
Gualala Point Regional Park
California 1Wonderful hiking/biking trails with ocean and bluff views. Many paved trails making it more stroller friendly
Sightseeing
Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum
45500 Lighthouse RdB Bryan Preserve
130 Riverside DrFood scene
Point Arena Wharf has it all. Check out the surfers and while you enjoy a cold beer from Point Arena Pizza or a coffee from Cove Coffee. Enjoy impeccable ocean views from the beach or bring your rod and reel to fish from the pier. At the end of the day you can relax upstairs at the Chowder House with a fresh bowl of clam chowder.
Point Arena Wharf
Point Arena WharfPoint Arena Wharf has it all. Check out the surfers and while you enjoy a cold beer from Point Arena Pizza or a coffee from Cove Coffee. Enjoy impeccable ocean views from the beach or bring your rod and reel to fish from the pier. At the end of the day you can relax upstairs at the Chowder House with a fresh bowl of clam chowder.
Point Arena Pizza
790 Port RdQuaint little bakery in the heart of Point Arena. Don't miss out on their famous bacon slippers and delicious Friday donuts.
42 locals recommend
Franny's Cup & Saucer
213 Main StQuaint little bakery in the heart of Point Arena. Don't miss out on their famous bacon slippers and delicious Friday donuts.
The most AMAZING Thai food! Favorites are the Pad Thai, Green Curry and Penang Curry.
56 locals recommend
Anchor Bay Thai Kitchen
35517 CA-1The most AMAZING Thai food! Favorites are the Pad Thai, Green Curry and Penang Curry.
Very good food if your in gualala. They are also open on days a lot of restaurants are closed on.
22 locals recommend
Cove Azul Bar & Grill
39102 Ocean DrVery good food if your in gualala. They are also open on days a lot of restaurants are closed on.
Excellent food and great beer at this brewery that just opened in spring 2022. It is fairly kid friendly but they don’t have a kids menu
9 locals recommend
The New Museum Brewers & Blenders
265 Main StreetExcellent food and great beer at this brewery that just opened in spring 2022. It is fairly kid friendly but they don’t have a kids menu
Wonderful breakfast and lunch joint. Great for the whole family. Be sure to call ahead for large groups. Seating limited.
22 locals recommend
Rollerville Cafe
22900 Shoreline HwyWonderful breakfast and lunch joint. Great for the whole family. Be sure to call ahead for large groups. Seating limited.
Gualala Seafood Shack
California 1Great seafood shack! The fish tacos are our favorite
The best coffee around and with a killer ocean view. They just reopened so be sure to check Facebook for their current hours. Right now they are open Saturday-monday 7-3 with a limited food menu.
If they have it on the food menu, be sure to try a Nate’s Special!
6 locals recommend
Cove Coffee & Tackle
790 Port RdThe best coffee around and with a killer ocean view. They just reopened so be sure to check Facebook for their current hours. Right now they are open Saturday-monday 7-3 with a limited food menu.
If they have it on the food menu, be sure to try a Nate’s Special!
Wineries 🍷
Annapolis Winery
26055 Soda Springs RdOne of the closest wineries
Grocery Stores
Organic and locally sourced food/produce. They also have a coffee bar and made to order breakfast and lunch.
15 locals recommend
Arena Market & Cafe
185 Main StOrganic and locally sourced food/produce. They also have a coffee bar and made to order breakfast and lunch.
One of the best grocery/hardware stores around. They usually have what you need here.
12 locals recommend
S&B Market
19400 CA-1One of the best grocery/hardware stores around. They usually have what you need here.
Gualala Supermarket
39225 CA-1Surf Market
39250 CA-1City advice
Book before you go
Grocery shopping
Unless you wish to shop local and pay a premium price, I recommend you do your grocery shopping before heading this way. The closest Safeway is a 1hr 15 min drive and the closest Costco is 1.5 hrs away.
Don't miss
Farmers Markets!
Friday in Point Arena 3-6 and Saturday morning in Gualala 9:30-12:30 both located right off hwy 1. *both seasonal