Goat Rock Beach
Goat Rock Beach is a sand beach in northwestern Sonoma County, California, United States.
This landform is a sub-unit of Sonoma Coast State Beach, owned and managed by the State of California. At the northern terminus of Goat Rock Beach is the mouth of the Russian River, and the southern end of this crescent shaped expanse is the massive Goat Rock, an iconic outcrop of the Sonoma Coast, which is barely attached to the mainland by a narrow isthmus.
Goat Rock Beach is frequented by beachcombing visitors, but usually not in high numbers, except in mid-summer; there is some wading and surfing activity, although these uses are moderated by the rip current generated by a steep gradient into the water that leads to an underwater trench parallel to the waterline. The beach is also a regular resting ground for a variety of gulls (including Western Gull, California Gull, and Ring Billed Gull), river otters, elephant seals, harbor seals, and sea lions, with the latter three species often hauling out of the Pacific Ocean. The state of California recommends that a 50-yard (46 m) distance be preserved between human visitors and the seasonal marine mammals, especially in the pupping season.
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Images Gallery
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Goat Rock Beach
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Mouth of Salmon Creek, looking south with Bodega Dunes to the South.
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Rock formation on Goat Rock Beach
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The coastal prairie above Goat Rock Beach supports a diversity of upland species.
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Goat Rock, looking south across Goat Rock Beach
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Comments
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Stopped by on our way down to bodega bay. It was super foggy but beautiful none the less.
a month ago -
Where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean you'll find a place filled with magic. The pelicans riding the current, the baby seals flopping about while the parents sun bathe, the seagulls feasting on fish, shell hunting and shelter building make for an unforgettable experience overlooking the quaint village of Jenner.
a month ago -
A pretty remarkable place. Needs to be seen to be believed. I could sit there all day and night.
7 months ago -
A nice place to hang out. The parking is a bit limited but once you get a spot you get to relax on the beach.
4 months ago -
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Amazing coastline! Exciting park! Adventurous one-lane road down to the sandy jetty and to a huge rock isthmus! Fantastic views of crashing waves, a giant rock with an ocean portal, and grassy slopes falling off into cliffside beaches. Plenty of sea life above and below. And a river view to boot!
11 months ago -
Nice Northern California beach. Very windy the day I visited but just looking out into the ocean to watch the waves crash on the many rock formations in the area does the mind good. Happy to see they have restricted climbing the rock to protect the fragile environment but I was also saddened to not be able to see the view from up top.
2 months ago -