Schooner Gulch State Beach
Anchor Bay, CA
Schooner Gulch State Beach is the walk-in route to the famous Bowling Ball Beach just north, reached by a trail from shoulder parking that only works heading southbound on Highway 1. The beach here is worth a stop on its own too, not just a means to reach its more famous neighbor.
Genuinely useful as the access point to Bowling Ball Beach's famous rock formations, and a solid beach in its own right, though the southbound-only parking catches people off guard.
How we score beachesTime your visit around low tide if Bowling Ball Beach is the real goal, the unusual rock formations there only show up when the tide drops far enough.
No fee; shoulder parking is available southbound only on Highway 1.
A path and blufftop trail lead down to the beach.
Dogs are allowed on leash on both the bluff trail and the beach.
Winter swells bring the most consistent surf here, while summer mornings tend to start foggy.
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