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

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

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

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

Designed by
Yvonne Leow
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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

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

Woodside Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

Spud Point Crab Company
Spud Point Crab Co. Credit: Yelp

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

Korkum Trail
Korkum Trail. Credit: AllTrails

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

Salt Point Arch
Salt Point Arch. Credit: AllTrails

Pack up and check out before noon

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

Head home!

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.
June 1, 2024

Bewilder at LAist Super-Fun Saturday

Make wildflower seed bombs with Bezzi the Yeti at LAist's Super Fun Saturday

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

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$5

Pocket-sized UNO GO!

A classic, easy to learn game for the entire family

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$24

Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50

It's pricey, but Supergoop! makes putting on sunscreen feel smooth and easy.

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$19

NATPAT BuzzPatch Mosquito Patches

A cute and colorful patch that repels mosquitoes with a natural repellent.

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$19

Vlirka VNDS Shoe Holster

A neat way to pack, carry, and organize dirty shoes.

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$32

High Tail Hikes Brass Leash

A lightweight, easy to clean customizable leash that comes in a rainbow of colors.

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$49.95

Ruffwear Basecamp™ Dog Bed

A packable, easy to clean dog bed for the great outdoors.

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$17.99

Mighty Paw LED Dog Collar

A weather-resistant LED collar so your pup stays safe at night.

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$24.96

PupFlask Large Dog Water Bottle

A leakproof water bottle to quench your pup's thirst.

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$17.40

DOGSWELL Remedy + Recovery Bundle

Add this pup medication and liquid bandage bundle to your first aid kit.

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$139

Radius Outfitters Large Camp Kitchen Organizer

For avid campers, this organizer will keep your kitchen utensils clean and organized.

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$20

MyCarry Travel Potty

Bring a portable toilet to help your toddler stick to their indoor routine.

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Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

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Dessert

Campfire cinnamon roll ups

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Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries

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Angie's Boom Chicka Pop

Gluten Free · Vegan

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Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce

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Summer rolls with almond butter satay

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Dan dan noodles

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Asian chicken lettuce wraps

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Pho ramen

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Curry ramen

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Peanut butter cheesecake overnight oats

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Korean beef tacos

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Sausage sandwiches with sriracha honey

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