Walking along the Sonoma Coast beaches near Bodega Bay is like a treasure hunt. You never know what the Pacific will wash ashore.
The coastline here doesn’t have the neat little piles of perfect seashells that you sometimes find at more tame destinations. The Pacific has too much character for that. The waves pummel the rocks, winter storms rearrange the beaches, and shells get pounded, polished, and tossed back into the sea. But if you look closely, you’ll find treasures.
Doran Beach: Mussel and Clam Shells
At Doran Beach, where the sand stretches on and on, you may find clam shells, mussel shells, small limpets, and other treasures scattered along the beach. But mussel shells are especially beautiful here, taking on a purplish, bluey, and pearl-like glow when the light hits them just right.
Salmon Creek After a Storm
As you head northbound towards Salmon Creek, the beachcombing varies from day to day, depending on the tides and the weather. You may find driftwood, kelp, crab shells, and other items scattered along the high-tide line after days of rough seas. But every once in a while you come upon something special.
Limpets, Turban Snails, and Chitons
Limpets, which have a conical shell, and turban snails, which have a more familiar although tiny spiral shell, can sometimes be found along the rocky parts of the coast. But you may also find the small round ‘trapdoor’ that served as the lid for a turban snail. These things, called opercula, can be mistaken for small stones, but they once belonged to a living snail.
Chitons, which are kind of like armadillos, only smaller, wear a house of eight shells. But you may only find individual plates washed up on shore. They’re easy to miss if you’re not looking.
Finding Sand Dollars on the Sonoma Coast
Sand dollars are another treasure to look for, although you need to be careful. An intact sand dollar is something to behold, but the Sonoma Coast is a tough neighborhood for such delicate things, and finding one is a treat. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, enjoy it right where it lies.
It’s not easy to find a sand dollar on the Sonoma Coast, but it’s even more difficult to avoid finding treasures if you’re walking the beaches with a sense of adventure.
Beachcombing Tips
Looking along the tide line, peering around rocks, and noticing small things like interestingly shaped stones are all part of a beachcomber’s game plan. Going after storms or arriving as the tides are receding, revealing new territory, are also good tactics.
At places like Goat Rock, the real attraction may be everything mixed together: shells, stones, driftwood, feathers, kelp, and mysterious fragments that make you wonder where they came from.
County and state park rules protect the shells, stones, and other natural finds on these beaches, so admire them, snap a photo, and leave them for the next beachcomber. And if you find a living creature, make sure to leave it alone. Sometimes the best souvenirs are those that you almost have, like getting close enough for a second look at something interesting.
Along this rugged stretch of Northern California coast, you may not find neat piles of perfect shells. But you’re bound to come away with a few discoveries, and maybe a few photos worth sharing.
