North Coast Access Trails Map

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Sonoma County Regional Parks manages six public access trails in The Sea Ranch, a private community south of Gualala. Trails start at Highway 1 parking areas and cross bluff-top meadows and forests to rugged coastline. Cliffside staircases lead to secluded beaches with sandy coves, tide pools, and rock formations. In addition to hiking, these public access points offer opportunities for diving, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. 

The Sea Ranch public access trails (north to south)

• Bluff Top Trail
  • 3 miles one way - Runs along the headlands from Walk On Beach to  Gualala Point Regional Park
• Walk on Beach Trail
  • 0.25 miles one way - Passes through a large Monterey cypress grove to a quarter-mile beach reached by a bluff-top staircase.
• Shell Beach Trail
  • 0.65 miles one way - Runs through pines and meadow to a wide, sandy beach with sea rocks and tide pools. Small boats can be carried to the ocean via a beach ramp.
• Stengel Beach Trail
  • 0.12 miles one way - Short path lined with cypress trees leads to a wooden staircase and a small beach. Look for seasonal waterfalls on the cliffs. Stengel has largest parking area of the public trails, with room for a dozen cars.
• Pebble Beach Trail
  • 0.27 miles one way – Weaves through pines and meadow to a sandy cove reached by stairs.
• Black Point Trail
  • 0.25 miles one way – Crosses the bluffs to a curving, quarter-mile beach reached by a steep, wooden staircase. Known to surfers, this beach is just north of Black Point, a cape that juts out about 250 yards from the shore.