Salt Point State Park

A comfy campout with 2 to 5 mile hikes

Driving to and sleeping at a campground

Ideal for first-timers

Perfect for families with young kiddos

Road tripping to Salt Point State Park and Sonoma Coast State Park

Yvonne Leow

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http://www.bewilder.club/experiences/salt-point-state-park-coastal-road-trip

Last updated

August 3, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and new campers

Vibe · Relaxing and chill

Reservations · Yes, reserve a site at Woodside Campground

Drive · 2.5 hours from SF and LA

Ideal dates · June to September

Pets · Welcome at camp, but not on beaches and trails

Salt Point State Park (SPSP) is a 6,000 acre park that packs panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean along with unforgettable sunsets. It's home to one of CA's first underwater parks: Salt Point State Marine Conservation Area. Like most coastal spots in NorCal, the weather is wet and mild, with foggy summer days averaging in the 60s, so dress in layers when you visit. Don't let that discourage you from experiencing SPSP's rugged beauty, 20 miles of hiking trails, and tidepools. All of which make this a special place worth visiting.

Official State Park Website

Directions To Campground

‍Main image credit: Ronan Furuta

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

Stuff to know

Frisky raccoons like to lurk around camp for snacks so properly store your food in your campsite's storage box overnight and whenever you leave camp
The wet and windy coastal climate means campsites can get damp overnight. Wear layers and lay a tarp or groundsheet underneath your tent to keep it dry.

Resources

Check the weather

Gerstle Cove Trail in Salt Point State Park

Where to camp

Woodside Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

Picnic table
A fire pit and grill
Space for up to 8 people
2 parking spots
Food storage locker‍‍

SPSP has two campgrounds: Gerstle Cove and Woodside. Lower and Upper Woodside campsites range on the smaller, cozier, woodsier (heh) side, but it's a beautiful campground that shelters tent campers from breezy weather. You can buy firewood from the visitor center, and it's open seasonally so be sure to reserve a spot in advance.

Check-in: After 2 PM · Check-out: 12 PM‍

View Campground Map‍

Nightly Rate: $35

Reserve your campsite

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Itinerary

Day One

Leave SF by 11 AM and grab some clam chowda at Spud Point Crab Company

Diners LOVE their clam chowder and crab sandwich
Located at 1860 Westshore Road in Bodega Bay
Open Everyday · 9 AM to 5 PM
LAST PIT STOP · Jenner Sea Store - 10444 CA-1 in Jenner

Check in and settle in at Woodside Campground

Set up camp, wander around the campground, and relax

Walk to Gerstle Cove and hike the Salt Point Trail to Stump Beach

Take the Salt Point Trailhead past the Gerstle Cove Visitor Center, and enjoy an easy 3.3 mile round-trip hike along the coast.

Return to camp for din-din

Prep and enjoy dinner at camp

Salt Point State Park is named after the formation of salt crystals in the cracks and crevices of its rocky coastline.

Day Two

Drive to Johnson's Beach in Guerneville, rent a kayak or inner tube, and kick it on Russian River

Reserve a kayak, canoe, inner tube, or riverfront beach spot at Johnson's Beach in Guerneville! Protip: Reserve them in advance!
Spend the day coasting on or chilling by Russian River. It's an hour drive from Salt Point SP, but worth the commute!
Single kayaks are $40/day, double kayaks and canoes are $50/day, and inner tubes are $10/day.

Grab lunch at The Farmhand

People love their sandwiches, salads and riverside views!
Located at 15025 River Road in Guerneville
Open Everyday · 7 AM to 7 PM

Swing by Sonoma Coast State Park and hike Kortum Trail: Shell Beach to Blind Beach

This 4.4 mile round-trip trail has 643 feet of elevation gain and has great views of the immense Goat Rock.

Return to camp and prep a sunset dinner

Cook up your last dinner at camp and bring your camp chair to watch the sunset at Gerstle Cove
Return to camp for stories and s'mores around the campfire

The Kashaya Pomo tribe were the earliest known residents in this area. They were expert artisans and fishermen.

Day Three

Pack up and check out before noon

Cook up brekkie, clean up around camp, and throw away any random pieces of litter

Head home!

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Tafoni is a natural phenomenon found in the sandstone at Gerstle Cove and Fisk Mill Cove. It refers to the honeycomb-type erosion caused by seasonal wetting and drying of the rock.