Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands
Point Arena, CA
Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands, now part of the California Coastal National Monument, covers a stretch of headland just south of town with blufftop paths reaching both from Lighthouse Road and from a trailhead next to City Hall. Dunes and wetland habitat mix with the more typical rocky bluffs, giving this unit real variety for its size.
Genuinely varied terrain for a national monument unit this size, though it's a walking headland rather than a beach to sit on.
How we score beachesStart from the City Hall trailhead if you're already in downtown Point Arena, it's a shorter, less crowded route into the monument than the Lighthouse Road side.
Free parking is available at both the Lighthouse Road and City Hall trailheads.
Blufftop paths connect both trailheads to the headland; conditions are natural and uneven rather than paved.
Dogs are welcome; check posted signage for specific leash rules.
Summer mornings run foggy before clearing, typical of the Mendocino coast, with water staying cold year round.
More Pacific Coast beaches
Zuma Beach
Malibu, CA · Pacific Coast
A wide stretch of sand backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, with reliable swells that draw surfers year-round and plenty of room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Known as Surf City USA, with a mile-long municipal pier, consistent breaks for surfers of every level, and a laid-back boardwalk scene along Pacific Coast Highway.
Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Tucked between rocky headlands, with tidepools to explore at low tide, calmer coves for swimming, and an arts-town backdrop of galleries and cafes just steps from the sand.