Guidebook for Gualala
Food Scene
St. Orres is reliably good food and a favorite of both locals and tourists. Locals will typically eat in the bar – the bartender, Lupe, is amazing. She makes an awesome basil martini that is almost famous! Tell her Bonnie sent you. The dining room is very nice also. Rosemary is one of the owners and the executive chef. It's best to call for a reservation if you want to eat in the dining room. (10 minute drive)
47 moradores locais recomendam
St. Orres
36601 CA-1St. Orres is reliably good food and a favorite of both locals and tourists. Locals will typically eat in the bar – the bartender, Lupe, is amazing. She makes an awesome basil martini that is almost famous! Tell her Bonnie sent you. The dining room is very nice also. Rosemary is one of the owners and the executive chef. It's best to call for a reservation if you want to eat in the dining room. (10 minute drive)
The Bird Café in Point Arena (on Main Street next to the theater) has really good food and extra-friendly service. It’s connected to our favorite dive-bar (Sign of the Whale) where the locals drink and play pool. (10 minute drive)
32 moradores locais recomendam
The Bird Cafe
190 Main StThe Bird Café in Point Arena (on Main Street next to the theater) has really good food and extra-friendly service. It’s connected to our favorite dive-bar (Sign of the Whale) where the locals drink and play pool. (10 minute drive)
Trinks is a favorite of locals and tourists because the food and baked goods are SO good! (The scones are amazing!) If you’re looking for a breakfast or lunch, you’ll enjoy Trinks in Gualala. Dinner is offered a couple of times per week. (10 minute drive)
58 moradores locais recomendam
Trinks Cafe
39140 CA-1Trinks is a favorite of locals and tourists because the food and baked goods are SO good! (The scones are amazing!) If you’re looking for a breakfast or lunch, you’ll enjoy Trinks in Gualala. Dinner is offered a couple of times per week. (10 minute drive)
Black Point Grille (in Sea Ranch) is a nice fine dining option with a full bar and amazing views. (25 minute drive)
6 moradores locais recomendam
Black Point Grill at Sea Ranch Lodge
60 Sea Walk DrBlack Point Grille (in Sea Ranch) is a nice fine dining option with a full bar and amazing views. (25 minute drive)
Wild Fish is wonderful! The owners are a British couple transplanted to our coast. They are delightful and run a wonderful restaurant. It’s a tiny restaurant, so reservations are a must. They serve only beer and wine, so we often have a cocktail at the Little River Inn (sit at the bar, if there’s a spot, and watch the ocean) and then walk across the street to Wild Fish for dinner. It's a tiny place, so best to call for a reservation. The food at Little River Inn is also good, if you can’t get in at Wild Fish. (45 minute drive).
21 moradores locais recomendam
Wild Fish
545 Lighthouse AvenueWild Fish is wonderful! The owners are a British couple transplanted to our coast. They are delightful and run a wonderful restaurant. It’s a tiny restaurant, so reservations are a must. They serve only beer and wine, so we often have a cocktail at the Little River Inn (sit at the bar, if there’s a spot, and watch the ocean) and then walk across the street to Wild Fish for dinner. It's a tiny place, so best to call for a reservation. The food at Little River Inn is also good, if you can’t get in at Wild Fish. (45 minute drive).
Ravens is at Big River (just south of Mendocino). The menu is vegan and much of what they grow is from their organic garden (be sure to get there early and check out the garden). We’re not vegan and we very much enjoy their menu. Everything on the menu is fresh, organic, and creatively prepared. (45 minute drive) If you go into Mendocino village (adorable!), there are many good places to eat.
15 moradores locais recomendam
Ravens Restaurant
44850 Comptche Ukiah RdRavens is at Big River (just south of Mendocino). The menu is vegan and much of what they grow is from their organic garden (be sure to get there early and check out the garden). We’re not vegan and we very much enjoy their menu. Everything on the menu is fresh, organic, and creatively prepared. (45 minute drive) If you go into Mendocino village (adorable!), there are many good places to eat.
For the most amazing sweets and bakery items, you shouldn’t miss Franny’s Cup and Saucer in Point Arena.
42 moradores locais recomendam
Franny's Cup & Saucer
213 Main StFor the most amazing sweets and bakery items, you shouldn’t miss Franny’s Cup and Saucer in Point Arena.
Twofish is a great place to stop for coffee and expresso drinks, breakfast burritos, bread, bakery items, draft beer, sandwiches, salads, etc. (The calzone is wonderful!). It's inside the historic Stewart's Point Store and also has picnic supplies and arts/crafts by local artists.
31 moradores locais recomendam
Twofish Baking
32000 CA-1Twofish is a great place to stop for coffee and expresso drinks, breakfast burritos, bread, bakery items, draft beer, sandwiches, salads, etc. (The calzone is wonderful!). It's inside the historic Stewart's Point Store and also has picnic supplies and arts/crafts by local artists.
Drinks & Nightlife
215 offers beer and wine along with panini sandwiches and bar snacks. This is a place where locals gather because there is often live music in the evenings.
13 moradores locais recomendam
215 Main St
215 Main Street215 offers beer and wine along with panini sandwiches and bar snacks. This is a place where locals gather because there is often live music in the evenings.
A hole-in-the-wall local hangout. Amazing cocktails! Bird Cafe (next door) will even serve you food at the bar. Cash only.
8 moradores locais recomendam
Sign of the Whale
194 Main StA hole-in-the-wall local hangout. Amazing cocktails! Bird Cafe (next door) will even serve you food at the bar. Cash only.
Sightseeing
A great whale watching spot (annual Gray Whale migration from late November through May, Humpbacks throughout the year, and the occasional pod of transient Killer Whales and even Blue Whales). Watch for the spouts, tails and breaches! Tours of the lighthouse (145 steps!), a museum and hiking trails are all great. Last tour is at 3:15PM.
74 moradores locais recomendam
Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum
45500 Lighthouse RdA great whale watching spot (annual Gray Whale migration from late November through May, Humpbacks throughout the year, and the occasional pod of transient Killer Whales and even Blue Whales). Watch for the spouts, tails and breaches! Tours of the lighthouse (145 steps!), a museum and hiking trails are all great. Last tour is at 3:15PM.
Essentials
Our mini-Whole Foods - organic fruits and veggies, good cheese selection, butcher.
52 moradores locais recomendam
Surf Market
39250 CA-1Our mini-Whole Foods - organic fruits and veggies, good cheese selection, butcher.
A great little market about 5 minutes from our place. All the basics plus a good selection of health food items. The owners, Alfredo and Barbara, are usually there and always offer a friendly hello.
13 moradores locais recomendam
Anchor Bay Store-Village Market
35513 CA-1A great little market about 5 minutes from our place. All the basics plus a good selection of health food items. The owners, Alfredo and Barbara, are usually there and always offer a friendly hello.
Parks & Nature
Where the Gualala River meets the sea. A great place for a day hike, beach-combing, picnicking, and bird/whale watching. Rarely crowded.
46 moradores locais recomendam
Gualala Point Regional Park
California 1Where the Gualala River meets the sea. A great place for a day hike, beach-combing, picnicking, and bird/whale watching. Rarely crowded.
Spectacular views of coastal bluffs, sea arches, the estuary of the Garcia River and sandy beaches. Eight miles of marked paths. Open for day use only; no motorized vehicles.
46 moradores locais recomendam
Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands
Spectacular views of coastal bluffs, sea arches, the estuary of the Garcia River and sandy beaches. Eight miles of marked paths. Open for day use only; no motorized vehicles.
A great place for watching the sunset. Fishing, picnicking, and surfing are popular activities here. There is a small parking area with two trail heads on the west side of the highway. The southern trail leads to Schooner Gulch Beach. Go at low tide and see Bowling Ball Beach.
12 moradores locais recomendam
Schooner Gulch State Beach
A great place for watching the sunset. Fishing, picnicking, and surfing are popular activities here. There is a small parking area with two trail heads on the west side of the highway. The southern trail leads to Schooner Gulch Beach. Go at low tide and see Bowling Ball Beach.
One of my favorite places! Gorgeous gardens, ocean bluff trail, lovely gift shop and the place I go for vegetable garden inspiration!
66 moradores locais recomendam
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
18220 CA-1One of my favorite places! Gorgeous gardens, ocean bluff trail, lovely gift shop and the place I go for vegetable garden inspiration!
A great place for a long walk! Lots of driftwood. A loop-trail that includes ponds, dunes, beach, and bluffs.
12 moradores locais recomendam
Manchester Beach
A great place for a long walk! Lots of driftwood. A loop-trail that includes ponds, dunes, beach, and bluffs.
Hikers paradise! Easy, moderate and strenuous trails. You can also go biking, birding, jogging, kayaking, and abalone fishing (when in season).
Van Damme State Park
Van Damme State ParkHikers paradise! Easy, moderate and strenuous trails. You can also go biking, birding, jogging, kayaking, and abalone fishing (when in season).
Easy access to beach to a beautiful sandy beach in a rock cove. Park along County Road 526. Unfortunately, there is only room for a few cars.
25 moradores locais recomendam
Praia de Cooks
Easy access to beach to a beautiful sandy beach in a rock cove. Park along County Road 526. Unfortunately, there is only room for a few cars.
A beautiful cove and beach at the end of a private campground. There is a small fee for day use of the beach, and it’s worth the price! Swimming is usually safe (rip currents are rare), but the water is always cold.
Fish Rock Beach
A beautiful cove and beach at the end of a private campground. There is a small fee for day use of the beach, and it’s worth the price! Swimming is usually safe (rip currents are rare), but the water is always cold.
Long, wide, pebbly beaches. Access is just north of the Gualala River Bridge on Highway 1. Park on the east side of the highway and find the dirt road path that is on the west side. If the gate is closed just step over it and walk the road to the beach. This is a popular kayaking put-in spot for access to the calm waters of the river estuary.
Gualala River
Long, wide, pebbly beaches. Access is just north of the Gualala River Bridge on Highway 1. Park on the east side of the highway and find the dirt road path that is on the west side. If the gate is closed just step over it and walk the road to the beach. This is a popular kayaking put-in spot for access to the calm waters of the river estuary.
A hidden gem! Lava rock walls on both sides of the cove and a large rock arch tunnel - spectacular! There is a pull-out dirt parking area along Highway 1 just north of Iversen Point Road. From this lot you can find footpaths that lead out to ocean overlooks (steep cliffs). There is a trail to a steep path that drops into Saunders Landing. North of the cove is a paved road that leads to a circular parking lot and equally stunning views.
Hearn Gulch Coastal Access
A hidden gem! Lava rock walls on both sides of the cove and a large rock arch tunnel - spectacular! There is a pull-out dirt parking area along Highway 1 just north of Iversen Point Road. From this lot you can find footpaths that lead out to ocean overlooks (steep cliffs). There is a trail to a steep path that drops into Saunders Landing. North of the cove is a paved road that leads to a circular parking lot and equally stunning views.
Beautiful beach. Waves crashing on rocks. Seals and nice tide pools at low tide. Parking at the Sea Ranch parking lot is free but only on the west side of Highway 1. There are public access trails that lead to the beach below.
Shell Beach Access Trail
39200 CA-1Beautiful beach. Waves crashing on rocks. Seals and nice tide pools at low tide. Parking at the Sea Ranch parking lot is free but only on the west side of Highway 1. There are public access trails that lead to the beach below.
Dark sand, steep rocky cliffs, a beautiful beach. Park in the lot on the west side of Highway 1 just north of the entrance to The Sea Ranch lodge. It's a 1/4 mile trail across an open meadow that ends at the edge of a cliff. There's a huge staircase to the beach. Swimming is dangerous due to strong rip currents.
11 moradores locais recomendam
Black Point Beach Access
Dark sand, steep rocky cliffs, a beautiful beach. Park in the lot on the west side of Highway 1 just north of the entrance to The Sea Ranch lodge. It's a 1/4 mile trail across an open meadow that ends at the edge of a cliff. There's a huge staircase to the beach. Swimming is dangerous due to strong rip currents.
Entertainment & Activities
This is a great experience! We take all our visiting family and friends to see Frank & Judy's amazing animal preserve. You'll see zebra, giraffe, and antelope that are endangered. It's a special treat to see the giraffes so up-close and personal! It's best to make a reservation.
44 moradores locais recomendam
B Bryan Preserve
130 Riverside DrThis is a great experience! We take all our visiting family and friends to see Frank & Judy's amazing animal preserve. You'll see zebra, giraffe, and antelope that are endangered. It's a special treat to see the giraffes so up-close and personal! It's best to make a reservation.
My favorite Anderson Valley winery. A beautiful drive along Highway 128 (at the Navarro River) through redwood forest. A nice place for a picnic with views of the vineyard and hills beyond. (You can't get Navarro wine in a store, so pick up a bottle or two!)
24 moradores locais recomendam
Vinícola e Vinhedos Navarro
5601 CA-128My favorite Anderson Valley winery. A beautiful drive along Highway 128 (at the Navarro River) through redwood forest. A nice place for a picnic with views of the vineyard and hills beyond. (You can't get Navarro wine in a store, so pick up a bottle or two!)
Sparkling wine! Barely visible from Highway 128, it's a great place to stop for wine tasting and a picnic.
13 moradores locais recomendam
Roederer Estate
4501 CA-128Sparkling wine! Barely visible from Highway 128, it's a great place to stop for wine tasting and a picnic.
Wander about the apple orchard. Buy some apples at the self-service Farm Stand (open daily from 9am--6pm). If no one is around to assist (especially at harvest time), the farm stand is set up for you to pay using the honor system. If you're in the area, be sure to check out the Farmhouse Mercantile in Boonville.
10 moradores locais recomendam
Apple Farm
18501 Philo Greenwood RdWander about the apple orchard. Buy some apples at the self-service Farm Stand (open daily from 9am--6pm). If no one is around to assist (especially at harvest time), the farm stand is set up for you to pay using the honor system. If you're in the area, be sure to check out the Farmhouse Mercantile in Boonville.
Arts & Culture
A delightful shop with a little bit of everything. Check out the current art exhibits, often featuring local artists.
8 moradores locais recomendam
Placewares @ The Sea Ranch
39114 Ocean DrA delightful shop with a little bit of everything. Check out the current art exhibits, often featuring local artists.
Studio 391
39102 Ocean DrCheck out the photography by gallery owner Paul Kozal.
Spindrift Gallery
39120 Ocean DrVery nice contemporary art gallery.