Dark Gulch Beach
About
Dark Gulch Beach is a public ocean beach on the California coast, about 1.3 miles from the town of Albion. There is no fee to visit. Summer and early fall are the driest, mildest stretch. Typical averages from a nearby weather station put July through September highs around 65°F, with only a few wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the low 50s and frequent rain. The beach makes an easy pairing with hikes close by. Fern Canyon Scenic Trail is about 2.5 miles away and Ames Lodge Trail about 4.1 miles. The Mendocino Headlands Bluff Trail is about 4.6 miles off, and paddlers can head to the Albion River, roughly 7 miles away.
Beach Details
Lifeguards
None
Parking
Available
Fee
Free
Restrooms
None
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Dark Gulch Beach
California
Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: May–Oct. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–65°F and lows of 45–50°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Ft Bragg 5 N, CA weather station, 19 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan52° high40° low
- Feb54° high41° low
- Mar55° high41° low
- Apr57° high42° low
- May60° high45° low
- Jun63° high47° low
- Jul65° high49° low
- Aug65° high50° low
- Sep65° high49° low
- Oct62° high46° low
- Nov56° high43° low
- Dec52° high40° low
Nearby
- Fern Canyon Scenic TrailHiking2.5 mi
- Fern Canyon TrailHiking2.7 mi
- Ames Lodge TrailHiking4.1 mi
- Mendocino Headlands Bluff TrailHiking4.6 mi
- Pole Line TrailHiking4.7 mi
- Orchard TrailHiking5.7 mi
- Little Lake-Sherwood TrailHiking5.9 mi
- Albion RiverCanoeing7.2 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
