Best LGBTQ Beaches in Gualala

Located a couple of miles north of Gualala, Cooks Beach is a small beach with light brown sand and a few rock formations. The beach is situated in a deep cove below steep rocky oceanfront bluffs and also has sparse vegetation. The beach has three alternative names - it is also known as Bonham Beach, Bourns Landing, or simply as Bourns. The Glennen Gulch Creek flows into the beach and often forms a lagoon here. Cooks Beach is also sunnier and warmer than other beaches along the Mendocino County shoreline. In addition, this beach is rarely windy. 

Located to the north of Gualala, Anchor Bay Beach - also known as Fish Rock Beach - is a half-a-mile long beach with light brown sand. The beach is situated below steep oceanfront bluffs. The edges of the beach are narrower than its center. Anchor Bay Beach is a part of the Mendocino County coastline locally known as the "Banana Belt," which makes the beach sunnier than the other Mendocino County Beaches. During storms, the beach loses much of its sand and turns into a rocky beach. A creek flows through the beach into the ocean and sometimes forms a lagoon here. This popular beach was also featured in the "Top 10 Beaches in the West" list by Sunset magazine, where it was listed as the third-most-popular beach. Anchor Bay Beach gets its alternative name, Fish Rock Beach, from a nearby town named Fish Rock which was abandoned during the early 20th century. Anchor Bay Beach does not have lifeguards. However, there is a private campground near this beach that has restrooms. 

Located near the mouth of the Gualala River, Gualala River Beach is a riverfront pebbly beach. This beach is situated along the banks of the Gualala River and is a part of a historic area known as the Mill Bend, which was recently acquired by the Redwood Coast Land Conservancy. This beach is surrounded by dense vegetation and the Gualala River Bridge is also present nearby. This beach is a part of a region locally known as the "Banana Belt" which has sunnier and warmer weather than other parts of Mendocino County. Gualala River Beach does not have lifeguards. However, the beach has a small craft boat launch and some trails. The beach also allows dogs. Getting to Gualala River Beach is easy - the access trail to the beach is situated just north of the Gualala River Bridge along the western side of Coast Highway / Pacific Coast Highway. There is a free parking lot near the beginning of the access trail just across the highway. Since you need to cross an active highway from the parking lot to access the beach, we recommend being very careful.