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Things to Do

Beach Trail Head

BEACHES, WALKS, AND RUNS

Most of the south Mendocino Coast consists of 50" to 100" high bluffs above a rocky shoreline. Here and there are beautiful beaches in protected coves. Most access is across private property and is therefore restricted. Several Serenisea Vacation Homes have access to “private” beaches. To wiggle your toes in the sand at beaches available to the public, we suggest:

Sea Ranch Beaches/Trails

Starting just south of the Gualala River Bridge along Highway 1 is the first of six beach access points adjoining or on the Sea Ranch. From north to south the access points are:

Beautiful Cooks Beach, just a half mile south of the Serenisea resort

Other Beaches

CYCLING

Although Highway One was designated Bicentennial Bike Route, we don't recommend it for casual riding. Shoulders are narrow to nonexistent on virtually all roads in the area. Better areas for pleasant rides include along the Gualala river. This ride starts just south of downtown Gualala, and may include backwoods logging roads, depending on permitted access at the time. Any stretch of the ridge road paralleling Highway 1 will give you a modest challenge and much less traffic. A good starting point is Bower Community Park. Serious cyclists can bike 20 miles of more of physically demanding road without having to “challenge” Highway 1.

For additional information on local rides, and bike rentals, call Adventure Rents at (707) 884-4386.

SURFING

Some of the best surf spots in northern California are in our area. They include:

Check here for coastal conditions: Mendocino Coast Marine Report and Northern California Surf Report

GUALALA RIVER

The Gualala River is a popular playground with locals. During the winter this is a favorite river for steelhead (an ocean-going trout) fishing. During the summer months a favorite picnic and swimming area for families is a broad sand and gravel bar about a mile upstream from the Gualala River Redwood Park Campground. Temperatures can be 10-15 degrees warmer here than they will be by the ocean. During the summer it is possible to kayak the estuary portion of the river. Adventure Rents rents kayaks from a location just downstream from the Gualala River Bridge. Watch for signs/banners. Adventure Rents rents kayaks, canoes, and bicycles. Call (707)884-4386 for more information.

SEA KAYAKING

For something different and exciting, try ocean kayaking. Force 10 Ocean Whitewater in Elk leads ocean kayaking trips during the summer months. Elk is about 40 minutes north on Highway 1. Call (707)877-3505.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Horseback riding is available through the family owned and operated Ross Ranch. Rides can be arranged for folks of all skill levels. Enjoy trail rides through the inland coastal mountains of Elk or along spectacular Manchester Beach. For reservations and information, call (707)877-1834. Beach horseback riding is also available at Ricochet Ridge Ranch in Ft. Bragg. Call (707) 964-7669. Ft. Bragg is located 1 1/2 hours north on Highway 1.

FISHING

During the winter months steelhead fishing is popular on local rivers including the Gualala, Garcia, and Alder creek. All local river fishing is catch and release. In the summer cabazone, and ling cod are the tastiest (and ugliest) of the fish sought by folks fishing from the rocks. These fish plus salmon and shark (small) can be taken from charter boats that operate out of Bodega Bay, Pt. Arena and Ft. Bragg. For Pt. Arena charter information call the Arena Cove Harbor Master at (707)882-2583. Fishing licenses are available at local sporting goods stores; including Gualala Sport and Tackle in the Sundstrom Mall in downtown Gualala. Before you pick up your pole, make sure you pick up a copy of the current DFG regulations, free where licenses are sold.

DIVING

The kelp forests along our coast are abundant with marine life, and divers will find lots of protected coves excellent for observing fish and marine creatures. Salt Point Park, located 1/2 hour south, is a marine preserve, and a popular spot for beginning dive classes. Every year a few divers who are in poor physical condition, or who choose to enter a rough ocean, lose their lives. Dive smart. Due to decline in the abalone resource the Department of Fish & Game closed the 2018 abalone season. Check the DFG website for current rules, limits, dates, etc. regarding harvesting abalone.

GOLF

The Sea Ranch Golf Course is open the public seven days a week. The original nine holes was rated among the top five, nine hole courses in the nation. The new back nine should measure up to that standard as it matures. The course is rated 72.3 by the NCGA. Green fees vary for weekdays, weekends, and holidays, and are quite reasonable for a privately owned course. Clubs, push and electric golf carts may be rented. For information and reservations, call (707)785-2468.

TENNIS

Two fine courts are available at Bower Community Park above Gualala. Sneak up during the week when the locals are not so busy getting their exercise.

WHALE WATCHING

The magnificent California Gray Whales leave their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic each Fall to travel 6,000 miles the warm lagoons of Baja California, where the females give birth to their calves. The whales pass near our coast going south in early winter, beginning around Thanksgiving. The bachelors tend to head north as early as January, with the mothers and their young following in March and April. They frequently come within a couple hundred yards of shore when northbound. A great viewing spot is the picnic table at Serenisea, and from most of the Serenisea Vacation Homes. During the summer months we occasionally see Humpback and Blue whales off of Serenisea. When around, they tend to spend their time feeding and playing. Perhaps one of the few benefits of climate-change?

BIRD WATCHING

A seagull

The coast is world renowned for bird watchers. From Thanksgiving through Easter, the Garcia River Flats north of Pt. Arena are the wintering grounds of the Whistling Swans. These lovely birds migrate here from the Arctic each year. A wayward Albatross has been sighted at the Pt. Arena pier for several years. Other migrating visitors include brown pelicans, egrets, Canadian geese, oyster catchers and many more. Local birds range from hummingbirds to jays, owls, quail, gulls, cormorants, woodpeckers, plus wild turkeys, hawks and a nesting pair of bald eagles. Other seasonal visitors include brown pelicans, egrets, and an occasional eagle. Local birds range from hummingbirds to jays, owls, gulls, cormorants, woodpeckers and a variety of hawks.

ENTERTAINMENT

On any given weekend you'll find everything from symphony concerts to local bands to “brand-name” artists performing up and down the coast. Check the current edition of the “Splash” section of the Independent Coast Observer (our local paper) for information about dances, concerts, BBQ's, poetry readings, drama, and lectures. The old Arena Theater in Pt. Arena has been restored and is now one of the most charming movie houses north of San Francisco. There's also the Gualala Video store to sate your hunger for Hollywood.

ARTS

There are several fine galleries in the area. Henley's Gallery, Stuart-Kummer Gallery, and The Dolphin Gallery in Gualala. Throughout the year, special art exhibits are open at the Gualala Arts Center. The Independent Coast Observer has detailed listing of concerts, recitals, and gallery openings scheduled during your stay. Each year, the third weekend in August, Gualala Arts sponsors the “Art in the Redwoods,” a festival combining a juried fine arts show, craft fair, music, and drama. Gualala Arts also sponsors many other events during the year. For more information call (707)884-1138, or visit gualalaarts.org.

DAY TRIPS

For folks staying more than a couple of days, we suggest taking day trips to a variety of special locations to enrich your experience on our coast: Perhaps you'd enjoy:

RESTAURANTS

DINNER:

Reservations are highly recommended for weekends and holidays. The ratings are our very personal opinions about where we'd rather eat:

PIZZA:

BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND COFFEE:

In Gualala:

In Pt. Arena: