Sonoma Coast

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=451 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonoma_Coast_State_Park Sonoma Coast State Park in Sonoma County consisting of public access use on lands adjoining the Pacific Ocean. This extent of beach runs from a coastal point about 4 miles (6 km) north of Jenner and continues for approximately 17 miles (27 km) to the south to terminate at Bodega Head. The property lies along State Route 1 and consists of a number of named beaches including Arched Rock Beach, Gleason Beach and Goat Rock Beach. The ecosystem consists of alternating sandy beaches and rocky shoreline, with a marine terrace extending above the entire extent with an upland California coastal prairie habitat.

Our Mission Sonoma Coast State Park The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Sixteen miles of awe-inspiring shoreline offer myriad opportunities to create unforgettable memories — stroll the beach, fish, sunbathe, or California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (707) 875-3483. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Sonoma Coast State Park 3095 Highway 1 Bodega Bay, CA 94923 (707) 875-3483 or (707) 865-2391 © 2004 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) unpack a family picnic. I magine broad, sandy beaches, secluded coves, rugged headlands, natural arches, a craggy coastline with fertile tide pools, and offshore reefs — this is Sonoma Coast State Park, one of California’s most scenic attractions. A series of beaches separated by rocky bluffs, Sonoma Coast has 16 miles of some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. The weather here is often a chilly combination of wind and fog. During the summer months, the morning fog usually burns off to create pleasant, sunny afternoons. Even during the summer, however, visitors are wise to prepare for the possibility of wet, cold, and windy North coast weather. Native Americans The dominant indigenous groups in this area were the Pomo and Coast Miwok, whose presence dates back about 3,000 years. Pomo territory once encompassed much of today’s Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma counties. Farther south, the Coast Miwok occupied part of Sonoma County and what is now Marin County. These groups built seasonal villages of redwood bark houses along rivers and streams and near today’s Bodega Bay. Both groups were accomplished basket makers. The Russian and Aleutian fur trappers who arrived in the area in the early 1800s may have been the Pomo and Miwok people’s first contact with non-native people. The Pomo and the Miwok were among several Native Californian groups who actively resisted the drastic changes brought by the fur trappers, Spanish missionaries, and hordes of gold seekers. However, within a generation or two, direct conflict and exposure to European diseases nearly decimated the Pomo and Miwok. Today their descendants still occupy parts of their ancestral lands, keeping alive the old ways and passing them on to the next generation. PLANT COMMUNITIES The bluffs, slopes, and dunes that frame the many beaches support a hardy ground cover of native shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers. In the spring, these areas display yellow and blue lupine, sea pink, Indian paintbrush, western wallflower, verbena, and dozens of other species of native wildflowers. In 1951 a program was begun to stabilize the drifting sand and keep it from filling Bodega Bay. The dunes between the bay and Salmon Creek were planted with specialized grasses, including European beach grass, a species used to protect dikes in the Netherlands. This species is now considered invasive, so California State Parks staff and volunteers are removing the beach grass where possible. WILDLIFE Many types of animals make their homes in this lush coastal environment. A lucky visitor might catch a glimpse of raccoons, rabbits, black-tailed deer, skunks, squirrels, or — on rare occasions — elusive gray foxes or badgers. The Sonoma Coast is also rich in bird life, with some 300 identified species. The many shore birds and other waterfowl in the area include willets, godwits, gulls, cormorants, pelicans, coots, and many species of ducks. Among thriving land birds are quails, ravens, wrens, hawks, owls, and swallows. Whales — From December through April, volunteers assist visitors at Bodega Head in viewing the annual gray whale migration from Alaska to Baja California and back up the coast. Seals — The Sonoma Coast, especially the mouth of the Russian River, is Harbor seals home to hundreds of harbor seals. From March through June, seal pups are born unable to swim and are defenseless against predators when left alone. Solitary pups have neither been abandoned nor are they ill — their mothers are feeding offshore. People who approach the pregnant females and newborn pups are viewed as a serious threat. The seemingly tame seals frighten easily, and — like all wild animals — can inflict severe bites. Please do not touch seals or pups; stay at least 300 feet from harbor seal colonies. Tide pool creatures — Please do not disturb the life in the tide pools. Even the simple act of turning over a rock and exposing the invertebrates to the sun or air can

Nuestra Misión Parque estatal Sonoma Coast La misión de California State Parks es proporcionar apoyo para la salud, la inspiración y la educación de los ciudadanos de California al ayudar a preservar la extraordinaria diversidad biológica del estado, proteger sus más valiosos recursos naturales y culturales, y crear oportunidades para la recreación al aire libre de alta calidad. Dieciséis millas de costa imponente ofrecen innumerables oportunidades para crear recuerdos inolvidables, pasear por la playa, pescar, tomar California State Parks apoya la igualdad de acceso. Antes de llegar, los visitantes con discapacidades que necesiten asistencia deben comunicarse con el parque llamando al (707) 875-3483. Si necesita esta publicación en un formato alternativo, comuníquese con interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 Para obtener más información, llame al: (800) 777-0369 o (916) 653-6995, fuera de los EE. UU. o 711, servicio de teléfono de texto. www.parks.ca.gov Sonoma Coast State Park 3095 Highway 1 Bodega Bay, CA 94923 (707) 875-3483 or (707) 865-2391 © 2004 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) el sol o desempacar un picnic familiar. I magine amplias playas de arena, calas solitarias, promontorios de relieve irregular, arcos naturales, una costa escarpada con pozas de marea fértiles y arrecifes en alta mar. Este es el Parque Estatal de la Costa de Sonoma, una de las atracciones más pintorescas de California. Al ser una serie de playas separadas por acantilados rocosos, la Costa de Sonoma tiene 16 millas de algunos de los paisajes más impresionantes del mundo. El clima aquí a menudo es una combinación fría de viento y niebla. Durante los meses de verano, la niebla de la mañana generalmente se quema para crear tardes agradables y soleadas. Sin embargo, incluso durante el verano, es aconsejable que los visitantes se preparen para la posibilidad de un clima húmedo, frío y ventoso, propio de la costa norte. NATIVOS AMERICANOS Los grupos indígenas dominantes en esta área fueron los Pomo y Miwok Costeros, cuya presencia data de hace unos 3 000 años. El territorio de los Pomo alguna vez abarcó gran parte de los condados actuales de Mendocino, Lake y Sonoma. Más al sur, los Miwok Costeros ocuparon parte del condado de Sonoma y lo que ahora es el condado de Marin. Estos grupos construyeron aldeas estacionales de casas de corteza de secoya a lo largo de ríos y arroyos y cerca de la actual bahía de Bodega. Ambos grupos eran buenos fabricantes de cestas. Los cazadores de pieles rusos y aleutianos que llegaron a la zona a principios de la década de 1800 pudieron haber sido el primer contacto de los pueblos Pomo y Miwok con personas no nativas. Los Pomo y los Miwok se encontraban entre varios grupos de nativos californianos que se resistían activamente a los cambios drásticos introducidos por los cazadores de pieles, los misioneros españoles y las multitudes de buscadores de oro. Sin embargo, dentro de una generación o dos, el conflicto directo y la exposición a enfermedades europeas casi diezmaron a los Pomo y a los Miwok. En la actualidad, sus descendientes todavía ocupan partes de sus tierras ancestrales, manteniendo vivas las viejas costumbres y transmitiéndolas a la siguiente generación. COMUNIDADES VEGETALES Los acantilados, las laderas y las dunas que enmarcan las numerosas playas sustentan una cubierta de suelo resistente de arbustos nativos, pastizales y flores silvestres. En la primavera, estas áreas muestran altramuz amarillo y azul, Harbor seals clavelinas de mar, castillejas, alhelí occidental, verbena y docenas de otras especies de flores silvestres nativas. En 1951 se inició un programa para estabilizar la arena a la deriva y evitar que llene la bahía de Bodega. Las dunas entre la bahía y Salmon Creek se plantaron con hierbas especializadas, incluida la hierba de playa europea, una especie utilizada para proteger los diques en los Países Bajos. Esta especie ahora se considera invasiva, por lo que el personal y los voluntarios de los Parques Estatales de California están retirando el pasto de la playa donde sea posible. FAUNA SILVESTRE Muchos tipos de animales viven en este exuberante ambiente costero. Un visitante afortunado puede echar un vistazo a los mapaches, conejos, ciervos de cola negra, zorrillos, ardillas o — en raras ocasiones — a los esquivos zorros grises o tejones. La costa de Sonoma también es rica en aves, con unas 300 especies identificadas. Las muchas aves costeras y otras aves acuáticas en el área incluyen tigüis, limosas, gaviotas, cormoranes, pelícanos, fochas y muchas especies de patos. Entre las aves terrestres florecientes se encuentran codornices, cuervos, chochines, halcones, búhos y golondrinas. Ballenas — desde diciembre hasta abril, los voluntarios ayudan a los visitantes de Bodega Head a ver la migración anual de ballenas grises desde Alaska hasta Baja California y de regreso a la costa. Focas — la costa de Sonoma, especia

Sonoma Coast State Park 3095 Highway 1 • Bodega Bay, CA 94923 • (707) 875-3483 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 extends 17 miles from Bodega Head to Vista Trail, located 4 miles north of Jenner. Beachcombers, anglers, sunbathers, and picnickers can access the beach from more than a dozen points along coast Highway 1. PARK FEES are due and payable upon entry into the park. Use the self-registration system if the entrance station is closed. The campsite fee covers one vehicle. There are additional fees for extra vehicles. OCCUPANCY: Each campsite may have up to 8 persons (including children). Two vehicles maximum are allowed per cmapiste. VEHICLE PARKING: Vehicles may only be parked in your assigned campsite. They must remain on the pavement and must not extend into the roadway or off the road. CHECK-OUT TIME is noon. Check-in is 2 p.m. SPEED LIMIT: The maximum speed limit is 15 mph. When pedestrians are present, even 15 mph might be too fast. Use good judgment. Remember not to drink and drive. QUIET HOURS are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Please do not disturb other campers, regardless of the time of day or night. Generators may only be operated between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. PETS/DOGS are not permitted on trails or in the environmental campgrounds, Pomo Canyon, and Willow Creek. Dogs are permitted in Bodega Dunes and Wrights Beach campgrounds, provided fees are paid and pets are kept on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets must be under control at all times and not left unattended. FIRES/FIREWOOD: Please be cautious when building fires. Fires are allowed only in established fire rings or camp stoves, and fires are not permitted on the beach. Do not build ground fires outside the fire rings or leave campfires unattended. Do not gather firewood in the park — the nutrients must be allowed to recycle back into the ecosystem. You may purchase firewood from the camp hosts. CAMPGROUND LOCATIONS: • Bodega Dunes Campground 2485 Highway 1, Bodega Bay 94923 • Wright’s Beach Campground 7095 Highway 1, Bodega Bay 94923 • Willow Creek Environmental Campground Approximately ½ mile east of Highway 1 on Willow Creek Road ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPGROUND RULES: • Vehicles may not be driven into the campsites, and camping in a vehicle in the parking area is not permitted. • Fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided; you may use your camp stove. • You may stay for a maximum of seven consecutive days per stay, no more than 30 days per year. Occupancy is limited to 8 persons per site. • Swimming or wading in the Russian River is not recommended. The river is treacherous due to submerged obstacles, uneven bottom, and unpredictable current. No lifeguard service is available. • Keep your site clean, and leave it looking as if no one had ever camped there. CAMPING RESERVATIONS: You may make camping reservations by calling (800) 444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275). To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov. ALTERNATE FORMAT: If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. Sonoma Coast State Park 10 11 12 9 8 13 14 15 7 18 6 17 5 4 3 Note of Caution: Please be safe while visiting Sonoma Coast State Park. Like most North Coast beaches, the Sonoma Coast is not for swimming. DANGER! Cold water, strong rip currents, backwash, and large, unpredictable waves have caused many deaths. These conditions make surf, play, and climbing on nearby rock out-croppings dangerous and unsafe. To HWY 1 Kortum Trail 19 16 20 21 CH 2 1 22 23 27 26 25 24 Wright’s Beach Campground Your Site # ________ N To HWY 1 Pacific Bodega Dunes Campground Ocean 18 N 36 35 33 Beac h D (N o Campground 47 Camp Host Campfire Center Entrance Hike & Bike Campground Tr a i l t o (N o D ogs) © 2010 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) 55 CH Bodega Harbor 7 28 50 52 53 54 98 51 87 99 96 97 95 57 94 93 92 56 90 91 89 88 85 64 63 66 68 65 67 69 86 84 83 81 82 58 59 60 61 62 Paved Road Trail 30 48 Parking RV Sanitation Station 5 9 8 6 4 27 25 26 24 23 22 49 b ay 12 11 10 2 31 CH 29 Locked Gate Restrooms 3 32 37 16 17 14 15 13 CH 21 20 1 34 Trai 38 og l 39 s) 40 41 42 43 Legend 44 45 # Accessible Campsite 46 CH 19 To Beach Area (No Dogs) 78 80 79 76 77 73 75 70 74 Map not to scale 71 72 For Emergency, Dial 911.