Fish Head Beach

Fish Head Beach is a narrow driftwood-covered beach about two miles north of the visitor center in Jenner, California on the Sonoma County coast. It’s a hidden beach that is known to few except locals. It gained infamous status after a long unsolved double-murder of a young couple that was camping on the beach in August of 2004. In 2019 the murderer was finally sentenced to life in prison for the killings he confessed to.

There is only room for a couple cars on the ocean side of Highway 1 at the unofficial trailhead just north of a huge hairpin corner. The narrow trail descends south along a ridge crest and the top of a rocky outcropping. From there a steep scramble route descends left to the north end of Jenner Beach. The main trail turns right and descends to Fish Head Beach.

At high tide this access to Fish Head might be cut-off and dangerous to attempt, but there is another rough trail that descends the brushy hillside partway down the ridge. At low tide it’s possible to walk from Jenner Beach and go around large boulders to get there. If you are able to reach this beach, be watchful for sneaker waves that can crash onshore. Also, ticks in this area are abundant and the overgrown trail to this beach might get you covered in them. Note that fishing and bonfires are prohibited at Fish Head Beach.

Address

Highway 1
Jenner, CA 95450

Park Name

Sonoma Coast State Park

Other Names

Driftwood Beach, Fishhead Beach

Owner

State Park

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach

Fees

Free parking on highway shoulder

Activities

Beachcombing, Beach Exploration

Amenities

Driftwood, Rock Arch, No Facilities

Links

Tide Chart
Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps