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Home , Salt Point State Park, Sonoma Coast State Park

Our Mission The mission of State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and Salt Point education of the people of California by helping Salt Point State to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and Park’s wide-open State Park cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. meadows, thundering surf, brisk ocean breezes and stunning

California State Parks supports equal access. views represent Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at Mother Nature (707) 847-3221. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected]. at her best. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™

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Salt Point State Park 25050 Highway 1 Jenner, CA 95450 (707) 847-3221

© 2010 California State Parks (Rev. 2014) A bout 90 miles north of San Francisco, from just north of Stewarts Point to just Europeans rests majestically on south of what is now the Russian River. From On April 8, 1846, Ernest Rufus received one of several jutting promontories off State the coastline, their lands extended inland a Mexican land grant for 17,500 acres Highway 1. This 6,000-acre park — which about 30 miles. along the coast. The area, called Rancho includes one of California’s first underwater The Kashaya are expert artisans German, encompassed the land from parks — has breathtaking views of offshore whose exquisite basketry graces museum about six miles north of Fort Ross to the rocks, a thundering, boisterous surf and collections all over the world. Historians Gualala River. The southern portion of the unforgettable sunsets. estimate that at the time of the first Spanish rancho included what is now Salt Point On California’s , winters are mild contact, the Kashaya Pomo numbered about Beginning in 1849, the land changed and wet, with average temperatures in the 1,500 people, occupying several large villages. hands several times, becoming the site of low 40s. Cool and foggy summer days average Summers were spent fishing along the coast; several active sawmills from 1853 to 1859. about 64 degrees. Changes in weather are in late fall the Kashaya moved inland to hunt Lumber was shipped on schooners to San common and frequent. and to reoccupy their winter villages. Francisco. In 1870, the southern section of Over the years, the Kashaya Pomo people Rancho German was sold to Lewis Gerstle PARK HISTORY have been able to preserve much of their and Frederick Funcke to mill tanoak Native People traditional culture. Today many Kashaya and other hardwoods. They built a hotel The earliest known native residents — the descendants occupy a rancheria near Stewarts in 1872 and surveyed the westernmost Kashaya Pomo people — occupied an area Point as well as other areas near Fort Ross. section of their ranch to plot a town that Gerstle and Funcke named Louisville. After the sawmills ceased operations in At about 1,000 feet 1876, the land was transitioned to grazing elevation, a large open livestock as its primary use. prairie was once home to . At the park’s highest NATURAL HISTORY: INLAND point, a pygmy forest The inland portion of the park features acres holds stands of smaller of grasslands and forest areas. Northeast cypress, pine and of Highway 1, coastal brush and grasslands redwoods. Their growth merge with lush growths of wind-sculpted is stunted because of Photo courtesy of Steve Clabuesch Bishop pines towering over wild calypso the area’s highly acidic, orchids. Mixed evergreens skirt the edges nutrient-poor soil and a of the second-growth redwoods, descended hardpan layer beneath from trees that were logged in the last two the surface. Similar centuries. Douglas-firs stand tall among groves of stunted trees madrone, tanoak and peaceful meadows. can be found along the coast from Monterey County northward to Mendocino County. Among the native Marine life abounds in the waters off Salt Point. animals, and Above: bull forest; right: anemone. gray foxes usually hunt at night, while are more active during the holdfast (a root-like day. Black-tailed deer, , striped skunks, structure that holds the kelp and several varieties of squirrels, chipmunks to the ocean floor), bull kelp will grow up to and field mice may be seen. Bears, mountain ten inches a day reaching for the sunlight at lions, badgers and porcupines — rarely the surface. After storms, bull kelp can be seen — occasionally range the area. found piled in large, greenish-yellow mounds The forest, grassland and ocean shore host all over the . Visitors might be lucky a wide variety of birds. Look for pelicans, enough to spot a great blue heron fishing from ospreys, woodpeckers and oystercatchers. Be “rafts” of kelp at sea. In August, the water is especially wary of mischievous Steller’s jays dark with the lush kelp forest that provides and ravens, who ravage unattended campsites homes for countless varieties of rockfish and in search of food. marine organisms. From November to January, gray whales pass NATURAL HISTORY: THE COAST through the kelp forests as they migrate south Bull kelp thrives along the coast. In April, to breeding and calving areas along the coast of though the kelp is not yet visible, its growth . The whales return to summer Second-growth redwoods has already begun. Attaching to rocks with a feeding areas in the Bering Sea, heading north RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES in bad weather. Check at (707) 847-3221 before 1 between February and April. Activities at the park include camping, your trip. The sites are approximately ⁄3- to 1/2- The Sonoma Coast is famous for its red picnicking, fishing, free diving, kayaking, mile from the parking area. No dogs are allowed. abalone. This slow-growing mollusk, an important scuba diving, horse riding and hiking. Hike/Bike Campsites —Ten hike/bike part of the intertidal community, takes about ten Camping — Camping reservations are campsites are behind the ranger office near years to reach a diameter of seven inches. strongly advised from March 15 to October the Woodside Campground. On the north coast, the rocky tide pools are full 31, especially on weekends. Each site has Group Campground —The group campground, of life. Sea stars, mussels, sea urchins and several a fire ring and picnic table with food locker. on the ocean side of Highway 1, accommodates a varieties of tiny young fish lead a precarious Drinking water and restrooms are nearby, maximum of 40 people and 10 cars. No dogs existence in these pools. These organisms are so but no showers or sanitation stations are are allowed. fragile they can easily be destroyed by accident. available. Call (800) 444-7275 to reserve Overflow Camping — A day-use parking lot Many of these creatures can be damaged by even campsites or visit www.parks.ca.gov. below Gerstle Cove Campground is available for the simple act of turning over a rock and exposing Family Campsites — The 109 family sites at self-contained vehicles only (no tent camping or them to the sun. Salt Point State Park include 30 on the ocean open fires). There are no restroom facilities, and At Gerstle Cove State Marine Reserve, Stewarts side of the highway at the Gerstle Cove you must bring your own drinking water. Point State Marine Reserve and the Salt Point Campground, and 79 on the east side of the Fishing — Salt Point is a very good spot for surf Marine Conservation Area, no form of marine highway at the Woodside Campground. fishing. In the Gerstle Cove State Marine Reserve or intertidal life or artifacts may be collected Walk-in Campsites — The 20 walk-in sites in and the Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve, or disturbed. Only kayaking, underwater the Woodside Campground do not require marine life is completely protected. Abalone photography, and recreational diving are reservations, but they are frequently unusable diving, spearfishing, and rod and reel fishing are permitted within these designated reserve areas. permitted elsewhere in the area. Anglers over the age of 16 must SANDSTONE AND TAFONI carry a valid California During the mid-1800s, sandstone from Salt Point fishing license. played a vital role in the construction of the Diving — Salt Point’s rocky coastline streets and buildings of San Francisco. Along the attracts abalone divers. Abalone marine terrace north of Gerstle Cove, visitors can collection is highly regulated. see enormous slabs of quarried sandstone, drill People taking abalone need a holes and scattered eye bolts left by long-ago valid California fishing license and stone workers. abalone report card. Additional Tafoni is a natural phenomenon common to the rules apply regarding minimum sandstone near the ocean’s edge at Gerstle Cove size, daily bag and possession and Fisk Mill Cove. An Italian word for “cavern,” limits, tagging and reporting. tafoni refers to a honeycomb-type caused For more information on abalone by seasonal wetting and drying of the sandstone, and fishing regulations, contact the weakening it into pits, knobs, ribs and ridges. Department of Fish and Wildlife or Tafoni formations in sandstone visit www.wildlife.ca.gov. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES campsites. They must be kept in a tent or vehicle Accessibility is continually improving in at night. Only service dogs are allowed on trails. California State Parks. Some picnic areas Horses — Riders must stay on the trail. have accessible tables. The Salt Point Trail is Tide Pools — Tide pools are extremely sensitive accessible for one-tenth of a mile along the to any disturbance. As you observe and explore coastal bluffs. areas, please watch your step; do not The Gerstle Cove day-use area has disturb or collect any of their delicate residents. accessible parking and an accessible restroom. Note — All natural and cultural features are Accessibility updates may be viewed at protected by law and may not be disturbed. http://access.parks.ca.gov. NEARBY STATE PARKS PLEASE REMEMBER • Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve, Fires — Ground fires and open fires of any kind 22.5 miles north of Jenner; are not permitted. Use your own off-the-ground take Kruse Ranch Road off Highway 1 Fisk Mill Cove picnic area barbecue to cook in the campground areas, (707) 847-3221 or (707) 865-2391 or you may use the facilities provided. Safely • Fort Ross State Historic Park Picnicking — Fisk Mill Cove, a day-use area with extinguish hot coals in park fire rings. 12 miles north of Jenner on Highway 1 paved parking, picnic tables, upright barbecues, Pets — Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times (707) 847-3286 or (707) 865-2391 restrooms and drinking water, is shielded from and are permitted only in the developed areas, • , Off Highway 1, the wind by Bishop pines. For a dramatic view except the group campground and walk-in just north of Bodega Bay (707) 875-3483 of the Pacific Ocean, take a short walk from the north parking lot to Sentinel Rock’s viewing KRUSE RHODODENDRON STATE platform. Stump Beach, one of the few sandy NATURAL RESERVE north of Jenner, has some picnic tables Once part of a large sheep ranch owned near the parking lot and a primitive toilet, but no by the Edward P. Kruse family, the running water. A ¼-mile trail leads to the beach. reserve adjoins Salt Point State Park. Gerstle Cove also has picnic tables, a primitive The ranch, established in 1880, was toilet and a scenic view of the ocean. donated to the people of California in Trails — The park has more than 20 miles of 1933. Beginning in late April, beautiful hiking and equestrian trails — visit pink blossoms appear throughout the www.parks.ca.gov for details. Mountain bikes redwood forest. Three miles of hiking are not allowed on single-track trails because trails lead visitors through this silent,

they can damage wet trail surfaces. Please stay pristine area. Photo by Robert Potts © California Academy of Sciences on the trails to preserve the park’s unspoiled Pets and bicycles are not permitted qualities and to avoid contact with ticks and on the trails, and mushroom gathering is poison oak. Motor vehicles are permitted only prohibited everywhere in the park. Pacific rhododendron on paved roads. 900

South

800

700 Fork 600

500 Gualala

400 500 600 700 River 800

900 900

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600 to 700 1000 Gualala 500

400 300 200 SALT POINT 100 STATE Horseshoe Cove 1 400 Legend 600 500 700 STAY ALIVE! STAY ALERT! PARK 800 900 Major Road

h • Check in with lifeguard or ranger if you are c l Horseshoe u Paved Road G unsure about diving conditions. Point n a m Unpaved Road ad De • Stay back from bluff edges. Multi-Use Trail • Large rogue waves can sweep you out to sea Hiking Trail Grace Rock Trail during ALL seasons and ocean conditions. (No Bikes) 0.5 mi Trail Distance h lc u • Bluff- and ocean-related deaths are common. G n o Accessible Trail n n a • The water is very cold, swift and unforgiving. C Marine Conservation Area

Lower Marine Reserve Area STEWARTS KRUSE Lake POINT Accessible Feature Reserve RHODODENDRON STATE Fisk Mill Entrance STATE Lake Campground MARINE Gulch Cove P Oliver RESERVE Sentinel Rock NATURAL Group Campground Kruse 1100 Viewing Platform Chinese RESERVE P Ranch 800 Hike/Bike Campground

Trail 900 P Road 1.0 mile h Kruse Ranch Horse Staging Area lc 800 500 u 700 G Trail 1000 600 e Phillips Parking es Gulch Road in 700 h C 1.0 mile Plantation 2 miles h Picnic Area Philli ulc ps G 600 Ranger Station

500 1 Restrooms Salt Point 1100 1000 l Miller Creek Plantation Trail 900 ai 600 S State Park Tr 800 400 1.0 mile o ch u 700 ea t 600

B h 500

Fo

300 p 700 r

k

m tu G 200 S

Kruse Rhododendron Stump Beach 1.5 miles 800 u 100 a Cove 900 l State Natural Reserve a 1000 l a R i P North Trail v er PYGMY 600 SALT FOREST 1.1 miles Water Tank Trail 700 0.2 mi 800 POINT Salt Point Trail North Trail 900 Prairie Trail

STATE North Trail Huckleberry Water Central Trail Tanks 1000 0.9 mile 1.4 miles .3 m 0.3 mi 0.3 mi l 0 Trail a il MARINE r e t n e Trail CONSERVATION C

1.2 miles Creek see AREA Park detail Entrances map Warren

0.12 P mile PRAIRIE P 900 Visitor Creek 800 Center P 700 P

600

Salt Point GERSTLE 500 COVE Trail Gerstle Powerline South STATE Cove 1 SALT POINT MARINE 1.3 miles RESERVE Wildcat

Salt Point SP & 0.5 miTrail STATE PARK South Kruse RhododendronHealdsburg SNR Gerstle 500 Sugarloaf Point Fort Ross Ridge SP 400 SHP 116 Lake 300 29 Berryessa 200 Jenner Santa Annadel Sonoma Rosa SP 100 Coast SP ek re Bodega 12 C 1 f Bay Napa Ocean Cove of kh oc P St Petaluma A C 500 Point I F PA Samuel P. 37 I C Reyes Suisun C IF Taylor SP Bay I NS San Pablo C Bay

O 101 O C Muir 80 C E Point A Reyes Woods E N NM A 24 N Mt. Tamalpais SP Petaluma 0 10 20 Mi SAN 880 FRANCISCO 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 Mile 0 10 20 30 Km 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 Kilometers 1

© 2010 California State Parks (Rev. 2014) Map by Eureka Cartography, Berkeley, CA to Jenner (18 miles) This park receives support in part through a nonprofit organization. For conservancy information, contact: Fort Ross Conservancy, 19005 Highway 1, Jenner, CA 95450 (707) 847-3437 • www.fortross.org