Anchor Bay Beach sits on the Mendocino County coast about four miles south of the small town of Anchor Bay, and you access it through Anchor Bay Campground. The beach itself is privately owned but welcomes day visitors for a small fee—$3 per adult, though dogs and kids get in free, plus a $5 parking fee per car. Your dog needs to stay leashed the entire time and can’t be left unattended, which is a fair trade-off for having access to this scenic stretch.

The beach curves in a white sand crescent that locals call Fish Rock Beach, backed by bluffs and fronted by Quinliven Rock, a dramatic 40-foot sea stack that rises straight up from the water. It’s the kind of place where you can actually see what’s happening in the ocean—sea lions are common here, and if you visit between December and April, you’ve got a solid chance of spotting gray whales migrating past.

Just up the coast, the actual town of Anchor Bay sits perched on a cliff with views that stretch across the Pacific. The whole area has this wild, slightly remote feeling that makes sense once you learn the history—this small bay was a favorite hiding spot for rum runners during Prohibition, and you can almost imagine boats slipping in and out under cover of darkness.

The setting is genuinely dramatic without feeling touristy. The water’s cold (this is the Northern California coast), so most people bring a dog for beach walking rather than swimming, which works perfectly. Bring a jacket because wind off the ocean is pretty much guaranteed. The parking lot fills up on nice weekend days, so arriving early gives you the best shot at a spot and a less crowded experience on the sand.