Goat Rock State Beach - Sonoma Coast State Park

Category: Tourist attraction

Address: Salmon Creek Jenner, Jenner, CA 95450, USA

Opening hours

Sunday: Open 24 hours

Monday: Open 24 hours

Tuesday: Open 24 hours

Wednesday: Open 24 hours

Thursday: Open 24 hours

Friday: Open 24 hours

Saturday: Open 24 hours

Reviews

Julie Dreier

Jul 23, 2022

I love the beach access. Beautiful views!

Millie Kwan

Jun 24, 2022

This is a lovely beach in the Sonoma Coast State Park. Make sure you find the place to pay for state parks but if you've already bought a pass at another state park, then you're good to go. Would definitely drive onto the parking lot at the Rock. The final strip to arrive at the parking is one lane so would drive slowly at the end. The beach is pretty and the sand is hot when it is sunny. The water is lovely although strong waves at times. The other side is rocky but again beautiful. Definitely recommend.

Violet Moyer

Mar 15, 2022

A truly magical place. If you go to the northern beach where the Russian river meets the ocean there are seals and sea lions that lay on the beach opposite the south side of the river. People make little son huts out of driftwood. The ocean has terrible whip currents so you can’t go in the water. However, you can see all sorts of wildlife. When I was there with my children I saw dolphins jumping out of the water. The rocks sticking out of the water makes spectacular crashes when the waves hit them. It is a wonderful place to have a nice picnic and you can dip your feet in the water on the river side of the beach peninsula

Nicholette Earl

Dec 21, 2021

The road could use a little work, but awesome beach and rock formations. It's also fun to watch the hang gliders.

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Questions & Answers

Can you still park and go to the beach?

Krista c | Jan 11, 2021
Jason Allain | Jan 12, 2021

Yup was just there

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Is it dog friendly?

Gretchen Brock | Jan 11, 2021
Diana Ortiz | Jan 12, 2021

Dogs are not allowed at Goat Rock, but are allowed at Blind Beach, just south of Goat Rock, there is a parking lot shared by the t o beaches. See the Sonoma County State Parks site for Dog Friendly Beaches. We love bringing our doggies to Blind Beach! Dogs should be on-leash: “Dogs allowed on specified beaches: Campbell Cove, Marshall Gulch, Carmet Beach, Schoolhouse Beach, Portuguese Beach, Duncan's Cover, Wright's Beach, Furlong Gulch, Shell Beach, Blind Beach, Russian Gulch. ”

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Can you swim at this beach

Bwaz L | Jan 11, 2021
B W | Jan 12, 2021

I grew up in the area and would go on field trips here when I was a kid. We were always told the stories of people that would brave the current to the big rock that was always referred to as Goat rock. The people were always stranded some died. This is not an area to swim, I remember the water here was always very cold.

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Not the first to ask but, why is it called 'goat rock'?

The Lady R | Jan 12, 2020
Succubus Terra | Jan 13, 2020

The beach itself was named after therock. The naming of Goat Rock is unknown, but many sources say somegoat herders around the early 20th century used the grassy, flat rock forgoats, because few other animals could live there. Goat Rock Beach has many visitors. It usually has the most people in the middle of summer.

Is Goat Rock and the restrooms open on Christmas day?

Vincent Hoesl | Dec 12, 2021
Chris Nielsen | Dec 13, 2021

Yes

Are there Agates? Is the opening for the Russian River here?

Jaxon Benjamin | Dec 12, 2021
Chris Nielsen | Dec 13, 2021

The river meets the ocean a little more north of goat rock.

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How accessible is the beach for the elderly?

Paula G | Jul 15, 2021
Jordan Cervetto | Jul 16, 2021

Very accessible. Easy, flat, access onto North beach. The dog beach south of the Rock is not easily accessible at all.

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What can i catch there

Brett Page | Jul 15, 2021
Jordan Cervetto | Jul 16, 2021

Nothing. There's no fishing permitted.

Where is the best area to fish at there?

Brett Page | Jul 15, 2021
Brian Parlin Sr. (Grandpa) | Jul 16, 2021

I saw obvious locals fishing in Tamalis bay not sure of the spelling but it's right along the coast hwy.

Why is it called goat rock beach

Judy Patik | May 16, 2021
Kyle Ball | May 17, 2021

It is said to have derived its name from goat herds that grazed nearby more than a century ago.

Is this beach open right now as of 3-30-21 wanting to take my daughter to see a beach she has never been before but I live like 2hrs away and don't want to drive there and find out its closed to public.

April Snyder | Apr 16, 2021
Amanda Spaulding | Apr 17, 2021

I was there on 3/13/21 and it was open. Every beach we passed was open.

Are public restrooms available and open?

Judith Rosen | Feb 15, 2021
peadog007 | Feb 16, 2021

Yes. I was there on feb. 3rd & they were open

Is the parking lot open at 6:30AM for a sunrise walk?

Cherie Carson | Jan 11, 2021
Emma Renner | Jan 12, 2021

Unfortunately they open the gates that lead down to the main lot at 8 (I've seen them do it early at 7:30 am) but there is a lot right before the gates on the left hand side (called Blind Beach, I believe) that you can park in that early! :) or I would also recommend Shell Beach a little further down hwy 1 because it has great parking (and no gates to open up in the morning!) and there's a great hiking trail that starts right at the parking lot called Kortum Trail that leads you to Wright's Beach which is gorgeous. Hope that helps! Enjoy your sunrise walk!!

Why was the water at Goat’s Rock reddish brown this afternoon?

jefferson finney | Jan 11, 2021
Antonio (Tony) Solidum | Jan 12, 2021

Red tide algae

Can dogs be off leash

Rona Isherwood | Jan 11, 2021
Rebecca Anson | Jan 12, 2021

Digs not allowed on goat rock.

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Are all sonoma co.beaches open?

Marcus Picciau | Jan 11, 2021
Nate Byars | Jan 12, 2021

As of now, I believe so. I think the biggest thing is masks everywhere.

Is this soyth OF bodega bay

Roberta Capen | Jan 11, 2021
Bharat D | Jan 12, 2021

North of bodega bay. Where russian river connect to the sea.

Can you have a small bonfire on the ocean side of the beach?

Patricia Struntz | Jan 12, 2020
Marshall Marshall | Jan 13, 2020

Nope but it's a pretty cool harbor seal area that's protected but makes for amazing sunset and seal pics

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