Laurie’s Guidebook to Gualala Area
Food scene
Local coffee shop with outdoor space, wifi, and a breathtaking view of the ocean. Good food-lunch, breakfast, snacks. Closes in the early afternoon.
58 locals recommend
Trinks Cafe
39140 CA-1Local coffee shop with outdoor space, wifi, and a breathtaking view of the ocean. Good food-lunch, breakfast, snacks. Closes in the early afternoon.
Anchor Bay Thai Kitchen
35517 CA-1Good Thai Food. Can order ahead for pick up.
Surf Market Teriyaki Outdoor BBQ is SO good--they are only open in the summer on weekends. They often sell out so don't hesitate if you see them out there. Tri-Tip, Ribs, Chicken.
52 locals recommend
Surf Market
39250 CA-1Surf Market Teriyaki Outdoor BBQ is SO good--they are only open in the summer on weekends. They often sell out so don't hesitate if you see them out there. Tri-Tip, Ribs, Chicken.
The Bird Cafe
190 Main StGreat Restaurant in Point Arena
Upper Crust Pizzeria
39331 CA-1Great for families
St. Orres
36601 CA-1Good food, cool place but pricey
Good tacos and other mexican food. Outdoor picnic area is to the left or get them to-go.
Taqueria Del Sol
39150 CA-1Good tacos and other mexican food. Outdoor picnic area is to the left or get them to-go.
LOVE this bakery--a local favorite. You will not be disappointed. A large variety of sweets. Run by a mom and daughter team. Check the hours--closes early.
42 locals recommend
Franny's Cup & Saucer
213 Main StLOVE this bakery--a local favorite. You will not be disappointed. A large variety of sweets. Run by a mom and daughter team. Check the hours--closes early.
Sweet Life Bakery & Cafe | Gualala-Vegan
38921 Sedalia DrSweet yummy vegan bakery for take out only.
Stewarts Point Store
32000 CA-1Wonderful sandwiches and outdoor picnic tables.
Gualala Seafood Shack
California 1Low Key Seafood + Burgers. Good for kids/families.
Nice restaurant and wine bar. This place has a special spot in my heart. Views are amazing. About 1 hour South of Gualala. Good place to stop on your way home. Check hours. May not always have full lunch menu.
27 locals recommend
Timber Cove Resort
21780 North Coast Highway 1Nice restaurant and wine bar. This place has a special spot in my heart. Views are amazing. About 1 hour South of Gualala. Good place to stop on your way home. Check hours. May not always have full lunch menu.
Sea Ranch Lodge
60 Sea Walk DrRestaurant & Cafe now open (after a long covid shutdown)
Cove Azul Bar & Grill
39102 Ocean DrSeafood, Steak, Pasta, etc.
Casual place and social place to explore Pt. Arena Pier. Check hours--limited.
29 locals recommend
Pier | Chowder House & Tap Room
790 Port RdCasual place and social place to explore Pt. Arena Pier. Check hours--limited.
Sightseeing
Long & beautiful beach + cliff sea views that runs along downtown Gualala where the river meets the sea. Note—there is a $7 parking fee upon entrance. Also gives you access to hiking bluff trails that connect with other southern beaches in Sea Ranch. (All the other beaches in the region have free parking.)
46 locals recommend
Gualala Point Regional Park
California 1Long & beautiful beach + cliff sea views that runs along downtown Gualala where the river meets the sea. Note—there is a $7 parking fee upon entrance. Also gives you access to hiking bluff trails that connect with other southern beaches in Sea Ranch. (All the other beaches in the region have free parking.)
Bluff Trails & Beaches. Sea Ranch has 5 magnificent public access beach trails + beach access. Some of the trails/beaches connect
Be sure to park in the public parking lots or you will get a ticket
Drive South on Hwy 1 and look for the signs to the public parking lots
SHELL BEACH
STENGEL BEACH
*WALK-ON-BEACH (a favorite, walk left at bluff and keep going after beach #1)
PEBBLE BEACH
*BLACK POINT BEACH -this beach + bluff hike is my favorite!
SALT POINT STATE PARK –past Stewart Point--more trails & beaches!
7 locals recommend
Sea Ranch
Bluff Trails & Beaches. Sea Ranch has 5 magnificent public access beach trails + beach access. Some of the trails/beaches connect
Be sure to park in the public parking lots or you will get a ticket
Drive South on Hwy 1 and look for the signs to the public parking lots
SHELL BEACH
STENGEL BEACH
*WALK-ON-BEACH (a favorite, walk left at bluff and keep going after beach #1)
PEBBLE BEACH
*BLACK POINT BEACH -this beach + bluff hike is my favorite!
SALT POINT STATE PARK –past Stewart Point--more trails & beaches!
A small sweet beach just a tiny bit North of downtown Gualala.
(Parking is across from St. Orres. Look for sign for public beach access)
25 locals recommend
Cooks Beach
A small sweet beach just a tiny bit North of downtown Gualala.
(Parking is across from St. Orres. Look for sign for public beach access)
Known as “BOWLING BALL BEACH”—wonderful long beach with magnificent tide pools. Be sure to go “low tide” and walk to the right to see the tidepool magic. This is a beach that I ALWAYS bring friends to when they arrive.
12 locals recommend
Schooner Gulch State Beach
Known as “BOWLING BALL BEACH”—wonderful long beach with magnificent tide pools. Be sure to go “low tide” and walk to the right to see the tidepool magic. This is a beach that I ALWAYS bring friends to when they arrive.
Pelican Bluffs
Great beach bluff hike but no beach access