Be sure to check out the large prairie and pygmy forest on top of the coast ridge. The park was formerly a dairy ranch, and many of the ranch buildings have been restored for use as a museum. Salt point state park jenner 2020 all you need to know. This is a short video of salt point state park that i put together for fun, and for a video contest americas state parks. Salt point bouldering area info bay area bouldering. Best beach trails in salt point state park alltrails. Salt point state park is located about 90 miles north of san francisco on coast highway 1. Also check out the tafoni on the rocks at the shoreline, explore the tidepools, wander through the landscape. Sep 05, 2019 walk in the park episode 150 takes us to salt point natural area on the shore of cayuga lake in lansing, ny, near the better known myers park on myers point.
The park is home to sandstone bluffs, rugged beaches, redwood forests, and outstanding viewpoints for whale watching. Be sure to keep food items put away as the jays will peck away at anything left unattended. The park also features the first underwater preserves in california. Whether you visit to picnic, hike, horseback ride, fish, or camp, this is a beautiful place to unwind and recreate.
Fisk mill cove is now part of salt point state park and is wellknown today for. Salt point state park jenner, california ocean, state. Salt point forms the northern half of the delta created by salmon creek on the east shore of cayuga lake several miles north of ithaca, ny in the finger lakes region, in tompkins county. Mar 17, 2018 a sacramento man who survived close to an hour in the frigid ocean after he was swept off the rocks while fishing with friends at salt point state park on the north sonoma coast was fighting for. Salt point state park in jenner california is a campground or rv park located within or adjacent to a forested setting. Ca state parks senior park aid airielle cathers attaches flagging tape to iron bolts set in the rocks at. One of the worlds coastal wonders, the pygmy forest in salt point state park features stands of mature but miniature bishop pine, bolander pine, mendocino cypress, and even petite redwood trees normally the worlds tallest living things. At salt point state park, visitors can spot an array of birds such as pelicans, ospreys and woodpeckers. Fisk mill cove, a beautiful spot at salt point state park, provides a great whale watching spot. Currently still in the offseason, camping at salt point state park is first come, first served until may 15, when reservations are required. The boardwalks at maumee bay state park and at punderson state park are closed. At salt point state park, how and why tafoni has formed remains a geological mystery.
Gerstel cove campground in salt point state park has 30 drivein sites located on the ocean side of highway 1. Above, and below sea level, salt point offers visitors a mindboggling array of activities. Whale watching at point reyes national park service. Theres plenty of opportunity along salt point s 6,000 acres of coastline to sleuth for sea stars, anemones and hermit crabs. Turn right off the exit onto lakevillehwy 116 heading west. Sandstone from salt point state park was used in the construction of san franciscos streets and buildings throughout the mid 1800s. Saltwater state park is on the flight path of seatac international airport and can be noisy at times, but its all part of the urban beach experience. Weve assembled a list of beautiful hiking trails that may be new to you. Salt point state park is a state park in sonoma county. Take alexander avenue exit off highway 101, north of golden gate bridge.
Salt point has a ton to offer for the adventurous, but even a casual in hike in the park is pretty darn epic. The shoreline within the 6,000acre park features rocky promontories such as salt point which jut out into the pacific ocean. Previous campers have noted that sites 21 through 27 are near the highway and pick up a little traffic noise. Dramatic coastal views, crisp ocean air, mushroom dotted forest floors, windy sweep prairies and pygmy forests. About four miles north of fort ross, beautiful 6,000acre salt point state park has much to offer, including one of californias first underwater parks, dramatic upclose views of crashing surf, a pygmy forest, and a lively visitors center with many activities. Climbing in salt point state park, san francisco bay area. The park has 6,000 acres of fascinating and diverse habitats including the adjacent kruse rhododendron reserve. Reached via highway 1s topsyturvy curves, salt point state park has a coastline that rivals big sur. At the north end of salt point state park, secrets a. These exposures are a magnet for study by amateurs, students, and professional geologists. The name secrets is a misnomer, because everybody and their. If you head out, use common sense, adhere to social distancing guidance, and remember to plan ahead restrooms and other facilities are closed at ohio department of natural resources. Mar 28, 2020 salt point state park has miles of secluded beaches with succulent, tafoni sandstone hidden in coves, on hills, and in huge eucalyptus forests alongside the scenic and wild pacific coast highway.
The cities jointly and literally buried a hatchet in the park as a symbol of an end to their mutual competition. Salt point state park, jenner, ca gps, campsites, rates. Salt point state park jenner, california rv park campground. Hit the park on the right day, and you may even be able to wave hello to a gray whale or two. From the bay area, get on 101n until the hwy 116e napasonoma exit in petaluma. Saltwater state park, a washington state park located near. There are two campgrounds in salt point state park with over 100 total camp sites. The best coastal perches for whale watching in northern. The drive is probably at least 2 hours from anywhere south of marin county.
The waters in gerstle cove are protected by gerstle cove state marine reserve so fishing is not allowed in this area. A beautiful tour of the forest, prairie, and oceanside cliffs of salt point state park. Salt point state park 25050 highway one, jenner, ca 95450 707 8473221 salt point state park encompasses one of the first underwater parks in california. Fisk began lumber and milling operations at fisk mill cove in 1860 and established an active doghole port shipping out a large quantity of cord wood and tan bark. Hauser bridge and stillwater cove regional park are some sights worth a visit in the area.
While other campgrounds are available in the park, gerstle cove campground offers the nearest ocean access and remains open yearround. Horseshoe cove is a lefthand reefpoint that works during s winds and winter swells. Here, its dry camping and the gravel spot on the campsite is not even level. Situated on the rugged coastline of northern california, salt point state park features rocky cliffs, incredible views, grasslands, coves, forested hills, and forests. This is the same dvd as included with the above adoption kit. Spend a little time doing your homework before entering the water and youll be able to find easier entry areas.
Salt point state park occupies six miles of beautiful coastline, next to one of the first underwater marine preserves in california. The park is located halfway between the cities of tacoma and seattle. The park covers 6,000 acres 2,400 ha on the coast of northern california, with 20 miles 32 km of hiking trails and over 6 miles 9. Jenner is a great spot to head out in calm water with your abalone gear. As the name suggests, the campground is adjacent to gerstle cove, a state marine reserve that hosts a healthy. Fishing is restricted at gerstle cove marine reserve, where marine life is completely protected. You have your choice of camping by the sea at gerstle cove campground, or tucked up into the forest at the woodside campgroundand you cant go wrong with either choice. Salt point state park is located on the rugged northern california coastline about ninety miles north of san francisco on state highway 1, nineteen miles north of jenner. The parks dayuse area has a network of walking trails paralleling the pacific, dishing out panoramic views made more dramatic by the sound of the pounding surf below the salt point trail runs along the coast to stump beach cove and is 2. With 20 miles of hiking trails, over six miles of rugged coastline, and an underwater park, you can enjoy a variety of picnicking, hiking. At the end, choosing between walking back via the pch, through campsites or roughing the powerline trail in its current state was not pleasant. Gerstle cove salt point state park location of the lumber chutes at gerstle cove indicated by the yellow pin. Saltwater state park is a 7acre camping park featuring 1,445 feet of saltwater shoreline on puget sound, halfway between tacoma and seattle. Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national.
Fisk mill cove salt point state park historical location of the lumber chute at fisk mill cove indicated by the yellow pin. Sure, the place is clean, and it does have restrooms and a dump station. Secrets surf report, surf forecast and live surf webcams. Salt is at the surface and brine swims around and under the boat. The majority of the park is covered in forests of redwood, tanoak, pine and fir. Saltwater state park is an 88acre marine camping park with 1,445 feet of saltwater shoreline on puget sound. Spend 22 incredible minutes with the most popular whale in the world. Google earth gerstle cove was the site of considerable economic activity as a result of stone quarrying and lumbering. Salt point trail to stump beach closed california alltrails.
Salt point state park is located along highway 1 about equidistant 20 miles from small town of jenner to the south and gualala to the north. It is populated with stands of mature miniature bishop pine, bolander pine, mendocino cypress, and even the usuallygigantic redwood tree. Salt point state park s gerstle cove campground is more exposed than woodside campground, with less shade, but gerstle is closer to the cove. The reserve is a unique example of the succession that follows the burning of a redwood forest. Salt point state park is a state park in sonoma county, california, united states. The rugged and beautiful coastline here is a popular destination for abalone. The best time to visit is in may when the pink flowers are in full bloom. Salt point state park is not so far from some of californias great metropolises. Salt point state park 25050 highway one, jenner, ca 95450 707 8473221 salt point state park encompasses one of the first underwater preserves in california. There are over 20 miles of trail to choose from, but we recommend the salt point trail, which gives you a good feel for the rugged coastline and beautiful rock landscapes come on. The park boasts miles of hiking trails along the coast and inland. Salt point state park has breathtaking bluff trail hikes, mostly flat, that provide you with one beautiful cove or rock outcropping after another. Rock climbing routes in salt point state park, secrets.
Now that youve visited salt point state park, you can discover the sights within a few miles of the area. At the end of salt point trail, youll be on the paved campground road, take the road up until you reach highway 1. Aug 26, 2011 this is a short video of salt point state park that i put together for fun, and for a video contest americas state parks. Go around the gate and work your way through the grasslands across the bluff on salt point trail. Situated at the highest elevation within salt point state park 25050 highway 1, jenner, 7078473221, just south of gualala on the sonoma coast lies one of the worlds coastal wonders. Hotels near salt point state park, jenner on tripadvisor. The best strategy is to enter the trail at the north end and then venture to the.
Gerstle cove campground is situated atop the coastal bluffs on the ocean side of highway one and offers 30 family campsites. Best trails in salt point state park california alltrails. Beginning at salt point and gerstle cove in salt point state park, the salt point trail runs 5 miles north all the way to the park s northern boundary. Between the months of december and april, it is possible to see gray whales migrating south.
The annual northtosouth gray whale migration along sonoma countys coast peaks during the winter months, with good. Salt point state park includes 9 miles of rugged coastline, with countless little inlets and coves, bays, jagged points, a few sandy beaches, caves, and sea stacks. Spend a little time doing your homework before entering the water and youll. The terrain varies from sandy beach coves to steep bluffs and sandstone cliffs. A bit north of point reyes, here youll findn gorgeous views of bay and the california coast including migrating grey whales, sea lions, and other coastal wildlife. The parks of the sonoma coastal region in california. Discover all the trails, beaches and overlooks around salt point state park. Once you arrive, however, youll feel as if youve been transported to a whole other world. Gerstle cove beach is directly below the visitor center building in salt point state park. The bluffs have round tafoni features in the rocks. For the hiking and the views it offers, salt point is a beautiful state park.
Day trippers guide to salt point state park top things to do. There are several locations along the whale trail, where many whales can be seen. Within the reserve are secondgrowth redwoods, douglas fir, and an abundance of rhodondendrons. If you like walking and the ocean and theres bouldering near by then check it out. Gerstle cove salt point state park area recreation.
The beds that formed from density currents reveal undersea processes and conditions that are rarely witnessed. Woodside campsite photos, campground information and. Walkin campsites the 20 walkin sites in the woodside campground do not require reservations, but they are frequently unusable in bad weather. Access to the forest will depend on the location but generally we have flagged these as forest if they are surrounded by trees or national forest lands. The trail traverses the shoreline along coastal bluffs, meanders around scenic coves, and skirts the tide pools, all with the continual sound of surf crashing against the rocky sonoma coastline in the background. From highway one, 33 miles south of point arena and seven miles north of fort ross, turn west into the salt point state park entrance for gerstle cove. Campers at salt point state park campgrounds are close to some of the most breathtaking scenery along the california coast. The beach here is rocky, as most salt point state park beaches are, but this one is easy to get to. The kruse rhododendron state natural reserve adjoins salt point state park. Download a sonoma coast state park map or brochure. See more ideas about park, local parks and state parks. On land, visitors may also run into wildlife such as deer, bobcat and foxes. Gerstle cove campground has about 30 spots on the ocean side of the highway and woodside campground has the rest.
Abalone diving at salt point state park, salt point state park. The two cities jointly and literally buried a hatchet at the park during the 1926 park dedication as a symbol of the end of their mutual competition. Most visitors are drawn by the beauty of the region, taking advantage of the trails that meander along the bluffs overlooking the ocean and the scenic viewpoints. Woodside campground, with 79 sites, is located on the east side of highway one. The shoreline within the 6,000acre park features rocky promontories such as salt point. The bluffs have round tafoni features in the rocks, very interesting. Salt point state park includes 6 miles of the sonoma coast and 20 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. Saltwater state park washington state parks and recreation.
Two main campgrounds are available at salt point state park. Located on the rugged california coastline about 90 miles north of san francisco on state highway one, and 8 miles north of fort ross state historic park. Salt point state park naturalists at large environmental. Salt point state park mountain bike trail, sea ranch. Salt point state park include 30 on the ocean side of the highway at the gerstle cove campground, and 79 on the east side of the highway at the woodside campground. Wilder ranch state park is a california state park on the pacific ocean coast north of santa cruz, california. Just west of the woodside campground in salt point state park is one of the first underwater parks in california. Fort ross conservancy, a 501c3 and california state park cooperating association, connects people to the history and beauty of fort ross and salt point state parks. Rocky promontories, panoramic views, kelpdotted coves, and the dramatic sounds of pounding surf. The tomales point trail and the sky trail are a favorite of ours. Camp and dive at salt point state park, salt point state park. South of point reyes national seashore marin headlands. Salt point state park camping californias best beaches. Salt point state park has a lot to offer in its 6,000 acres, including 20 miles of.
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