Bowling Ball Beach
Point Arena, CA
At low tide, rows of large round sandstone concretions appear on the sand looking exactly like their name suggests, lined up as if someone set them there on purpose. You have to time a visit to the tide tables, which keeps the beach from ever feeling crowded even when word gets out.
The round sandstone formations are genuinely unusual, but you have to time it within an hour or two of low tide or you'll miss the whole point.
How we score beachesPlan your visit within an hour or two of low tide, or the round stones stay submerged and you'll miss the whole point.
Leashed dogs are allowed on the beach and trail year-round.
Mendocino coast water stays cold year round, rarely climbing out of the mid 50s, so this is strictly a low tide walking beach, never a swimming one. Fall tends to bring the clearest weather, once the summer fog pattern breaks.
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