Tucked away from view in rocky coves or beneath sheer cliffs, Sonoma Coast State Park’s 17-mile series of beaches make up some of the most stunning state park real estate in California. Though strong rip currents and unpredictable ground swells make the beaches dangerous for swimmers, the bluffs overlooking the water feature more than 150 campsites so visitors can safely take in the views at their leisure.

Campgrounds

Sonoma Coast State Park features four campsites with differing levels of amenities, though there are no sites with RV hookups in the park. Bodega Dunes, the main campsite, includes 98 campsites and bathroom facilities with hot showers. It does not allow dogs or campfires, as part of ongoing efforts to protect the habitat of the threatened western snowy plover population. Wright’s Beach, with 27 campsites, Pomo Canyon Environmental Camp, with 20 campsites, and Willow Creek Environmental Camp, with 11 primitive campsites, all feature picnic tables and fire pits. Wright’s Beach includes toilets and running water and Pomo Canyon has running water nearby. You may not collect wood in the campgrounds; firewood is available for purchase from at Wright’s Beach and Bodega Dunes.

Reservations

ReserveAmerica (reserveamerica.com) handles online reservations for Sonoma Coast State Park. The National Park Service employs the system to manage camping at national parks and forests, as do 25 state park systems. Consult the campground map to view campsite locations and choose your preferred camping area within the two sections of Wright’s Beach or four sections of Bodega Dunes. Enter your location and date preferences in the search tool on the left and browse the available sites. Pay your permit fees online and bring your printed confirmation with you to the site. Note that the two environmental campgrounds, set among the trees off the beach, cannot be booked through the online reservation system—call the park or inquire upon arrival for camping permits.

Wrights Beach Campground Features

Campground Type:	Organized
Number of Campsites:	27 Campsites
Cost:	$35/Night Premium (Beach) Campsites: $45/Night
Use Level:	High
Dogs Allowed:	Yes
Fire Rings:	Yes
Drinking Water:	Yes
Toilets:	Yes
Showers:	No – Campers may use showers at Bodega Dunes Campground
Trash/Dumpsters:	Yes
Hiking Access:	No
Beach/Lake Access:	Yes
RV/Trailer Length:	31 Feet
RV/Trailer Amenities:	None
Cell Phone Service:	None
Wifi:	None
Operating Season:	Open Year-round
Other:

Like most north coast beaches, Wrights Beach is NOT FOR SWIMMING. Strong rip currents, heavy surf and sudden ground swells make even surf play dangerous. It is especially important to keep children back from the highest water-line and never turn your back to the ocean. Many rescues are made each year.

 Be careful of the bluffs and rocks. The shale formations are unstable and unsafe for climbing, so stay on the trails and heed warning signs.

Weather

Like nearby San Francisco, California’s north coast suffers from chilly, foggy weather, even in summer. Thankfully, the summer fog typically burns off by noon and doesn’t return until evening. In the high season, expect daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s; winter daytime temperatures hover in the low 60s. No matter when you visit, come prepared for wind, rain and brisk evenings in the mid 30s to high 40s.

Getting There

Address:
Geo Coordinates:	38.400222, -123.093505
Nearest City:	Bodega Bay, California
Elevation:	25 Feet
Location:	Sonoma County, California
Paved Road Access:	Yes
Proximity to Stores:	6.5 miles to Bodega Bay
Directions:	6.5 miles north of the town of Bodega Bay on California Hwy. 1

no dogs

Long sandy beaches below rugged headlands, a craggy coastline with natural arches and secluded coves are features that make Sonoma Coast State Park one of California’s most scenic attractions. The Beach, actually a series of beaches separated by rock bluffs and headlands, extends 17 miles from Bodega Head to Vista Trail located 4 miles north of Jenner. Beachcombers, fishermen, sunbathers and picnickers can access the beach from more than a dozen points along coast Highway 1. While the north coast weather can be foggy in the summer, it usually burns off by midday and the cool ocean breezes make the Sonoma Coast a haven for visitors seeking to escape the inland heat.

I’m probably bias on this place because I’ve been coming here for years and it hasn’t gotten old. It’s not a long strenuous hike but I just love the view. It’s a great place to whale watch season permitted. The sunset is always spectacular. I did a full moon hike once there. Weather was jus right and the moon light up the sky.

The trail was great. There fog at the bottom by shell beach but you immediately climbed out of it.

don’t be fooled. this is for horses

Windy and exposed coming from the coast, but exhilarating and beautiful. Lots of sun exposure except in the occasional redwood stands (an unexpected treat!). Counter-clockwise, did not take the tiny, narrow trail to the right up Red Hill because it didn’t look legitimate, though I know now that it is. Instead went up at the marked junction up the back of the hill and back down. Did not take the Pomo Cyn trail all the way down to Willow Creek, but wish I had for extra elevation loss/gain. Instead took Shell Beach trail back to Hwy 1. Not at all busy, saw maybe 5 people on a Monday.

Great trail. Amazing views (so much so I chose to prepose to my girlfriend there!!) relatively easy elevation wise. Stay on the trail though! Take it from me, I learned the hard way! (Poison oak)

From the trail head, the trail starts off with beautiful views. Saw elk right on the trail (had to stop and proceed with caution) on the Horseshoe Cove Overlook, which is a short up and back I’d recommend. After that, it goes downhill. Trail is for horses and full of sand (dunes, so expected), which means basically walking in a horsey litter box. Decent workout, though. If you do end up on this trail and aren’t staying at the campgrounds, I recommend hiking to the bend in Whaleship Rd, where there is a well marked trail from dunes to the street between the houses. Then, walk down Whaleship to Bay Flat Rd, turn right and walk 1/2 a mile to the best clam chowder and crab sandwiches you’ve ever had at the SECOND restaurant, Spud Point Crab Company. You deserve it. Try to grab a table. After you eat, it’s a 3 mile walk on Westshore Rd back to the trailhead. Two cars would be perfect.

Beautiful hike even with the morning fog! Recommend wearing pants to avoid scratchy brush along the trail.

Uncrowded, beautiful views, well maintained trail.

The trail offered endless amazing views. It is a bit overgrown and you have to watch out for poison oak along the trail.

a super weird trail. there’s an upper trail and a lower trail. the upper trail is behind people’s houses but both are 100% in deep sand and the upper trail is a horse trail so there’s tons of horse shit. not really meant for normal hiking.

High points: side trip from the parking lot to the beach and view from the peak.

we did the overlook trail and the path is extremely narrow. worth it for the great views.

Beautiful trail! Bit of a climb on the way up, but it opens into magical sweeping meadowside. Easy access to addition side trails that add to the view!

hiking

bugs

over grown

rocky

1 month ago

Great hike, went clockwise and enjoyed the challenge. Disliked the condition of trail before red hill. Small trail and nothing special. Beautiful views, great views and fun hike. highly recommend.

Exposed, but pleasant hike. Plenty of side trails will take you to viewing points.

trail running

over grown

rocky

1 month ago

Beautiful trail! don’t miss the trail on the right side of the path by the two outhouses… easy to walk right past it. Starts in the redwoods, up to the bluffs and down to the beach. Rocky. About 7 miles round trip (without going all the way down to the beach).

hiking

over grown

1 month ago

Nice trail. I started out at the parking lot for the day use area. Made a few detours to go to the beach and getting a little turned around. Didn’t quite make it to the Head bc of a late start. Some parts where chest-high tall grasses, pretty over grown. But mostly beautiful sand dunes. I’d do it again but leave myself more time.

hiking

over grown

1 month ago

This was a beautiful trail that had some wide open spaces and lots of vegetation and trees. It has a pretty steep incline on the way up, but levels out at the top. There are a ton of flowers up there and the few times I’ve gone up, there haven’t been many people around. Be very careful with ticks. The two times I’ve been up here, people I’ve gone with have gotten bit by them.

beautiful and tranquil with lots of variety. redwoods, open medows and great view of the coast. took us about 2hrs including picnic stop

This is a really pretty trail, and it’s pretty easy. This time of the year in June, there are lots of wildflowers and during a clear day,The coast is really pretty highly recommend.

This is a great trail, some part is a little bit narrow, most of it pretty easy to pass. I would rate this as easy Instead of Moderate. You got to see the coast, The redwood trees, and the canyon.

Overall this is a fun trail. You have views, redwoods, and some wildlife. I hiked clockwise and the elevation gain was in the very beginning and coming out of Pomo canyon. There was some mud but it was easy to get around. I would do this this hike again.

This is a beautiful trail and offers fantastic views of the coast as you climb up out of the Shell Beach parking lot. We hiked clockwise which offers the best views as you climb up and over Red Hill and back down to the beach.

Beautiful sunny day on the Sonoma Coast. Easy hike from Wright’s Beach to Goat Rock with a lot of wild flowers in bloom.

hiking

no shade

1 month ago

this hike is one of my absolute favorites with spectacular ocean views the entire way. I usually start at Wright’s Beach and go to Goat Rock and back with lunch on Blind Beach. The climb down to Blind Beach would be difficult for anyone with disabilities.

Very nice, easy hike. If you have fear of heights as I do, don’t look right on first section. It was foggy on the ocean side but got warmer once away from ocean. Very clean trails. Bathroom was primitive but well taken care of. Saw deer cross path 200 yards in front of us. Overall very pleasant day.

This trail is by far my favorite in Sonoma county, you get it all- redwoods, beach and vistas. ❤️

Seasonal Closures

A variety of factors govern campsite closures—weather, which can be inhospitable in the low season, chief among them. The Willow Creek and Pomo Canyon environmental campgrounds typically close for the season in mid-November due to bad weather. Service restrictions in the off-season necessitate the closure of all but 20 of Bodega Dunes campsites and most of the park’s day-use areas, as well as cause diminished or nonexistent staffing of park kiosks. Throughout the park, signage indicates areas of temporary closure due to the nesting season of the protected western snowy plover.

References

Resources

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Photo Credits

• Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

When To Go

Spring & Fall – The campground’s peak season is summertime; reservations can be hard to obtain. Sonoma Coast weather can be foggy in the summer.

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Wrights Beach Campground Pictures

Wrights Beach Campground

Wrights Beach Campground

Wrights Beach Overflow Camping

Wrights Beach Day Use Parking

Wrights Beach Warning Sign

Wrights Beach Campground

Wrights Beach Campsite 16

Wrights Beach Campground

Wrights Beach Campsite 13

Wrights Beach Campsite 3

Wrights Beach Campground Bathroom

Wrights Beach Campsite Bathroom

Wrights Beach

Wrights Beach Overflow Camping

Wrights Beach Overflow Camping

Wrights Beach Campground Sign

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Image Credits: Justin Wilson