Stengel Beach Bliss

Seasonal Waterfall at Stengel Beach on the Sonoma Coast

03.15.2018

One of the coolest things about Stengel Beach Waterfall is that you’ll probably have it to yourself. Few people head to this beach because the waterfall is like a ghost, appearing in its best form after recent rains. So it’s not an obvious stop, unless it has rained! This now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t cascade is located up in The Sea Ranch on the Sonoma Coast.

And it’s easy to access: a 5-minute walk down a path lined by cypress trees gets you to the wooden stairs down to Stengel Beach. A short section on a large rock has a metal rail to help you get down to the sand. The falls jump off a 20-foot-tall bluff right onto the beach. Green moss sparkles on the rocks behind the cascading water. It’s easy to chill out in the small pocket cove with plenty of bobbing kelp and seals basking on the rocks just offshore.

The only sounds are those of the waterfall and the waves. Bring binoculars to spy migrating gray whales. Solo in Stengel is a good place to be!

Map and Directions. Dog-friendly!

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