Gualala Bluff Trail

This scenic half-mile trail overlooks the Gualala River estuary and is popular with locals and tourists as a quick access to viewing the river, sand bar, and ocean beyond.

You might see harbor seals that frequently haul out near the mouth of the river. Pelicans and river otters are visitors as well as whales out to sea during migration seasons. More recently, bald eagles have made their home nearby.

The trail includes landscaping, a footbridge over a creek, stairs, view benches, and a curved overlook of the estuary. The trail meanders behind the Breakers Inn, Surf Market, Surf Motel and shops and eateries of downtown Gualala, offering a pleasant stroll away from traffic. Along the way, there are numerous places to take in the views or watch for wildlife.

The Gualala Bluff Trail offers dramatic views of the Gualala River after significant rainfall. The river pushes out the sandbar at the mouth of the lagoon to flow into the sea. This is a bar-built estuary, which closes and opens depending on the river’s flow.

Please note, there is no trailhead parking. This trail does not provide access to the river from the bluff edge – those wishing to cross the river to the sandy point must enter at Gualala Point Regional Park just south of the Gualala River Bridge.