The Northern California coast never ceases to amaze us with her beauty and creativity! Large ball-shaped concretions ranging from 2 – 5 feet in diameter line up in neat little rows hidden just under the waves that should be hidden deep in the ocean can be found at Bowling Ball Beach in Mendocino County. Next time there is a low tide…go check them out!
Schooner Gulch, a California State Park, is at the south end of Bowling Ball Beach and Moat Creek Trail is at the north end. Either way you reach Bowling Ball Beach you need to go during low tide! If you go during a negative tide you get to experience some pretty great tidepools too!
The first time we visited Bowling Ball Beach there was just a rope to sort of scale down the side of the bluff to some old ladder-like stairs. The second time was a little better! It’s absolutely worth the short hike from Highway 1 to the edge of the bluffs and down to the beach.
Once on the beach, you will see rows of round rocks (concretions) lined up perfectly. Some show at the edge of the waves and the ones that are underwater more often are super mossy and other-worldly looking! Careful when you step on them! They are super slippery! Wander around, soak it all in, take some photos, and then pick out a spot to watch the tide come back in and swallow them back up! We like to wander around and check out the bluffs with what looks like more concretions hanging from the side. We may not be geologists but we definitely appreciate this oddity and all of its beauty!
Hike Details:
We have visited Bowling Ball Beach a couple of times and each time we are in complete awe of this site as are several other people! Try and go on a weekday if you can or at a time when the weather may not be ideal if you want the place to yourself. The parks mentioned above have the driving/parking instructions. It is just off Highway 1 on a curvy part of the highway so careful when stopping and getting out! Also, pay attention to what time the tide is coming back in so you don’t get stuck at the wrong end of the beach! Parking is free, pit toilet available at Schooner Gulch.
Things We Love:
Puzzles!! One of the things that has helped everyone under this shelter in place order that seems to have lasted forever is puzzles! They are sort of meditative and love that we found these digital ones! Our cat Oreo would have already chewed on and messed up any puzzle pieces left out so digital is definitely the way to go for us! Try out the below photos of Bowling Ball Beach! You can choose your difficulty level! Happy puzzling!
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