Looking for a new place to camp? You’re in for a sweet surprise. Get ready to camp at one of our favorite campsites that’s just a stone’s throw away from the ocean.
We’ve been camping in Gualala for several years now and it continues to be one of our absolute favorites campgrounds to date.
We love this campground so much that we wanted to share it with our family this year and decided that Thanksgiving was going to be the perfect occasion to get my family to experience camping in Gualala.
My family isn’t use to camping, so Gualala offered the perfect balance of easy trails, coziness and solitude.
If you prefer smaller campgrounds, this is the perfect spot for you. Here is all the essential information you need to know before your trip to Gualala
This post is all about Camping in Gualala | One of Our Favorite Campsites in NorCal.
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Gualala California
Gualala, CA is a picturesque coastal community located at the southernmost point of Mendocino County, where the Gualala River meets the Pacific Ocean.
Known for its stunning natural beauty, Gualala offers a range of outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking, and beachcombing. The town is a gateway to the scenic Gualala Point Regional Park, which features diverse ecosystems and breathtaking views.
Visitors can explore charming local art galleries, unique shops, and enjoy dining options that highlight fresh, local ingredients. Gualala’s serene environment and welcoming community make it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature.
Gualala Point Regional Park
Gualala Point Regional Park is a beautiful park located in Gualala, California. It spans 195 acres and features a variety of landscapes, including coastal bluffs, forested areas, and the picturesque Gualala River.
The park offers numerous recreational activities such as hiking, beachcombing, several trails providing stunning ocean and river views, and our favorite camping at one of best campsites in all of California, Gualala Point Campground.
Additionally, the park is a great spot for wildlife watching, including birdwatching and seasonal whale watching.
With its diverse ecosystems and serene natural beauty, Gualala Point Regional Park is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Where is Gualala Campground Located
Gualala Point Regional Park Campground is located within Gualala Point Regional Park right off Coast HWY 1 and borders Sonoma and Mendocino County. It’s located north of Sea Ranch and south of Point Arena.
The campground is enclosed within the Gualala River Redwoods and a short walking distance to the beach.
Gualala is a very small town but has everything you need for a sweet little getaway, a local grocery store, a couple restaurants, a gas station and several hotels.
Camping in Gualala
Once you arrive you will see exactly why we love camping in Gualala, it’s the perfect mixture of forest, meadows and beach. The way the sun beams through the trees throughout the day is nothing short of magical. At night you will enjoy the soothing sound of ocean waves crashing. The perfect white noise for sleeping.
Gualala Point Campground is open all year round and views of the Gualala river can be enjoyed from several campsites. (See Map Below)
Gualala Point Campground offers 19 campsites for tents, trailers and RV’s. It’s nestled within the forest right along the Gualala river.
Reservations are required and I personally recommend booking at least a few months in advance during off season and up to 6 months during high season. To make a reservation you will need to make a profile on Sonoma County Regional Parks website.
We have camped at 4 different sites and we have enjoyed them all. Our two favorites are campsite 10 & 11.
There are 6 walk up sites that are located at the back of the campground, one site is reserved for hikers or cyclists.
Campsites are equipped with a picnic table, a fire pit with grill, and a food locker. Within the campground you will find restrooms, a coin operated shower for $2 for 5 minutes, and a dump station.
There are several tap water spigots throughout the park.
A reservation includes one vehicle and one towed vehicle. Each additional vehicle is $7 per night. A single campsite can have up to 8 people. A dog fee applies of $2 per dog per night.
Campsite Fee:
- $37 per night +$9.50 non-refundable reservation fee May 1 through Nov. 30
- $35 per night +$9.50 non-refundable reservation fee during off-season
- Check-in 2 PM. Check-out 12 PM.
Gualala Campground Info
- Dogs are ALLOWED on leash, both at camp and on trails.
- Since the campground is surrounded by trees there’s not a lot of direct sunlight, so bring a few extra layers.
- Gualala Campground has NO electrical hookups available.
- If you forget anything don’t worry, a 5 minute drive from camp you’ll find the town of Gualala with two markets, the Gualala Supermarket and Surf Market.
- Gualala Campground sells firewood at $10 a bundle, cash only.
- If the camp host happens to be off, firewood can be found at Gualala SuperMarket for $11.50 a box.
- The morning of departure support a local business and have breakfast at a local favorite, Trinks Cafe, a laid back cafe with a nice view of the ocean and really yummy pies.
What to do in Gualala
One of the main reasons I love Gualala Campground is its close proximity to several beautiful attractions.
- Take the trail from camp to Gualala Point for a beautiful view of the river, it’s about 1.5 miles round-trip.
- Walk the Coastal Bluff Trail, a 6.5 miles round-trip hike from Gualala Point Regional Park to the Walk On Beach Trail.
- Salal and Bluff Trail Loop a 2.4 mile loop.
- Snap a picture of the ceremonial Serge Posts located in the meadow of Gualala Point Regional Park.
- Eat at Gualala Seafood Shack and enjoy some fresh seafood.
- Fish or kayak the Gualala River. RENT A KAYAK HERE
- Golf at the world famous Sea Ranch Golf Links.
- Relax and enjoy wildlife watching at one on the many benches perched on top the coastal bluff.
- Visit the nearby Point Arena Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the West Coast. This is about a 20 minute drive from camp and is totally and absolutely worth it. Cost is $5 to enter the site and $5 for the lighthouse tour. Cash and Card accepted.
- Go whale watching. Migration season falls from November through March. BOOK A TOUR HERE
Don’t forget your binoculars, these are the ones we have and are priced well and work great.
That wraps up this post, Camping in Gualala | One of our Favorite Campsites in NorCal.
Leave No Trace Principles
If you love to be outdoors whether it’s hiking, backpacking, kayaking or camping please follow these guidelines. Leave No Trace Principles helps minimize our impact and aids in preserving our earth as much as possible. If you would like additional information please read this article The 7 Principles.
The 7 Principles:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
Take Nothing but Pictures; Leave Nothing but Footprints
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE:
- Camping at McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park
- Camping at Steep Ravine: Where Ocean Views and Adventure Meet
- 27 Must-Have Tent Camping Essentials Every Camper Should Have
Travel Resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUNDS We like to use a couple apps for last minute campsite bookings. Our favorites are HipCamp, The Dyrt and Campendium.
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go to for looking up flights is SKYSCANNER, but we try to always book directly with the airline.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use SafetyWing. We are currently using them for our 1 year trip.
TRANSPORTATION: For all our bus, ferry and train transfer needs in Asia we use 12go.asia.
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