Salt Point State Park spreads across rocky headlands and coastal bluffs just north of Jenner, offering a dramatic stretch of Sonoma coastline where you and your dog can spend a couple of days exploring. The park’s developed areas are accessible to leashed dogs, though they can’t join you on the actual trails or beaches—so expect to keep your dog mostly in the campground, parking areas, and immediate surroundings while you venture out to see the sandstone formations and tide pools yourself.

The park has two main camping options. Traditional campsites sit in a more open layout where you’ll see other visitors, while environmental campsites offer more seclusion if you don’t mind facilities being more basic. Neither welcomes dogs at the group campground or walk-in sites, so stick with the standard campsites if you’re bringing your dog. Some campsites have ocean views, and from certain spots you can hear the waves and smell the salt air even from your tent.

What makes Salt Point distinct is its unusual geology—sandstone cliffs riddled with sea caves, honeycomb rock formations, and sometimes during lower tides, accessible tide pools where you can spot starfish and anemones. The main parking area gives you quick access to view these features, and it’s easy enough to walk your dog around the developed areas while taking in the dramatic landscape. The coastal scrub and wind-swept cypress trees create that classic rugged Northern California aesthetic.

Camping here works best if you enjoy quieter, less-crowded parks. It’s not the most dog-friendly state park in terms of trail access, but if you’re content keeping your dog in camp while you do some solo exploring, and you want a spot with genuine coastal character, the park delivers. The main thing is understanding the restrictions upfront so you’re not disappointed when you arrive.