Shell Beach
Jenner, CA
Shell Beach sits at the base of a high bluff within Sonoma Coast State Park, reached directly from the parking lot or via a longer walk on the Kortum Trail along the bluff top. The Kortum Trail route gives you more scenery for the same destination if you're not in a hurry.
The Kortum Trail option gives it more character than a typical parking-lot beach, though the bluff base setting means it lacks the open scale of some neighboring beaches.
How we score beachesTake the Kortum Trail route down instead of the direct parking lot path if you have the extra time, the bluff top views along the way are worth it.
Free parking is available at the lot.
A direct path or the longer Kortum Trail both lead down to the beach at the base of the bluff.
Dogs are welcome on leash at Shell Beach.
Summer mornings run foggy before clearing, typical of the Sonoma coast, with water staying cold year round.
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