Gualala River Beach(Gualala Beach)

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.

Gualala River Beach offers many fun activities including swimming, beachcombing, picnicking, fishing, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and boating. The Gualala River around the beach has generally calm water which is ideal for children, beginner swimmers, paddleboarders, and kayakers. Kayakers and canoeists can explore the vibrant and beautiful Gualala River banks present near Gualala River Beach. The best time to canoe, kayak, and paddleboard in the water near the beach is generally during May and June, as the Gualala River has ample water during this time which makes it great kayaking, canoeing, and paddling spot. In addition, if you are planning to kayak or canoe here, we recommend visiting this beach early in the morning as the area around this beach is known to be windier in the afternoon. If you need a canoe or a kayak, Adventure Rents offers kayaks and canoes on rent and also organizes interesting canoeing/ kayaking trips along the Gualala River. The area around the beach is also home to many animals including otters, frogs, toads, garter snakes (which are nonvenomous), bobcat, black bears, and mountain lions. If you like birdwatching, you can watch many interesting kinds of birds near Gualala River beach including bald eagles, ospreys, and kingfishers. In addition, if you explore the area under the nearby Gualala River Bridge via kayak during early spring you can see interesting cliff swallow nests on the bridge’s underside. 

Another popular activity in Gualala River Beach is fishing - you can catch a large amount of steelhead in the river water near Gualala River Beach. However, if you are planning to fish here, keep in mind that fishing in the water near Gualala River Beach is only permitted during adequate river water flows between October 1 through April 30. We also recommend you to get prior confirmation from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife by calling their Low-Flow Hotline at (707) 944-5533 to determine if fishing in the Gualala River is indeed allowed during your visit. In addition, we also recommend that you also follow the local fishing regulations while fishing here. As an interesting fact, the area around this beach was once a crucial center of the regional lumber industry and many successive lumber mills were also present near this beach. If you like hiking, the Gualala Bluff Trail is present near the beach and offers a memorable way to explore the vibrant landscape near the Gualala River Mouth. The trail also provides Instagram-worthy views of the Northern California shoreline.

There are many attractions near Gualala River Beach. Gualala Arts Center has interesting artworks and sculptures. In addition, the center also hosts many interesting activities and performances throughout the year including a chamber music series, jazz performances, plays, and many festivals throughout the year including the Fine Arts Festival in May, Whale & Jazz Festival during April/ May, and the Holiday Festival of Trees in November. Alinder Gallery displays interesting photographs and focuses on the work of eminent photographer Ansel Adams. If you are looking for another attraction near Gualala River Beach, Bower Park is a community park with pine trees and a duck pond. The park also has a picnic area, children’s playgrounds, a tennis court, a basketball court, and a baseball field.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants near Gualala River Beach. Cove Azul Bar & Grill serves delicious steaks, seafood, burgers, and pasta. Upper Crust Pizzeria offers fantastic pizzas. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Gualala River Beach, the modestly priced Gualala Pizza & Bakery offers fantastic pizzas, sandwiches, desserts, and Mexican dishes including nachos, burritos, tacos, tortas, and quesadillas. 

If you are looking for a hotel near Gualala River Beach, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for a hotel near Gualala River Beach, the 4-Star Elk Cove Inn & Spa is 45 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a rooftop deck, a day spa, a beachfront gazebo, a guest lounge, and a complimentary breakfast and wine and cocktails. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Hotel Breakers that offers an Instagram-worthy view of the North California shoreline. In addition, the hotel offers many amenities including a restaurant, complimentary continental breakfast, and a walking trail that offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. As another moderately priced option, the 3-Star St. Orres offers many amenities including a restaurant, a bar, complimentary breakfast, and a spa with a hot tub, a sundeck, and a sauna. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Gualala River Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Gualala Country Inn is located close to some of the major landmarks in Gualala and offers complimentary breakfast.