Gualala Regional Park

      The small town of Gualala straddling the border between Sonoma and Mendocino counties does not have extended options for hiking, but one of the exceptions is found at Gualala Regional Park overlooking the estuary of the Gualala River and its meeting with the Pacific.  This trip along the Bluff Trail descends to the black sand beach of the park, before rounding a noble headland topped by Bishop pine cypress and grasslands.  This is an enjoyable morning stroll when the ocean breeze is blowing, the fog rolling, and the temperature very cool.  


Stats:

Category: Easy
Miles: 1.4
Elevation Gain: 50'
Location: Gualala Regional Park
Directions: HERE 

The Trail: Follow the paved path from the Visitor Center about 0.75 miles down on a hillside overlooking the wide mouth of the Gualala River and further east a dense Redwood grove.  This path splits, with one traveling down to the quiet beach.  Take this trail down, then reascend to the split and follow the quint, flat path as it traverses around a wide bluff back to the parking lot.  

Hiked 7/12/2017, Sonoma County, CA

Path beginning 

Open Grasslands

Gualala River Estuary

Path to Ocean

Neat North Coast succulents

Awesome!

Waves Break! 

Can you find the two deer?

Closer...

Young male Black-Tailed Deer

Impressive cliffs