LOWER WOHLER BRIDGE

Improved Directions!

It was pretty quiet last season along the Russian River, with only one drowning and a single anti-nudity complaint lodged with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department (see Sunset Beach). "Knock on wood," says Deputy Paul Gregg, who urges visitors to "use common sense and be careful." Although Sonoma County has a harsh anti-nudity law and deputies have raided Wohler Bridge, Sunset, and other locations used by skinny-dippers in the past, checks by law enforcers of the nude meadow near Wohler now only take place when complaints are received. "We don't have a patrol (for anti-nudity)," says Diana Nolan, head of the Sonoma Sheriff's Department's Guerneville substation. In fact, the biggest news from Wohler this year is that a second nude site is emerging (see New Wohler Bridge). Finding these nude enclaves, though, isn't easy. Neither is parking. And there's no nude sunbathing taking place anywhere near the bridge. Users walk upstream along a trail edged by trees and other vegetation to a small clearing used mainly by gay cruisers, plus a sprinkling of others. "I see hikers, bikers, couples, and mixed singles who enjoy the beauty of the place and who usually skinny-dip and even picnic at Wohler," says Tom, who especially likes the walk upstream to the beach.

Legal status: Sonoma County Water Agency land purchased from the family of the late actor Fred MacMurray in 1996.

How to find it: From San Francisco, take Highway 101 north past Santa Rosa to River Road, then go west for 10 minutes to Wohler Road. Turn right onto Wohler and drive 1.4 miles to the bridge, continue across it, and look for parking. Some readers have reported that no parking is available at Wohler. A parking lot near the bridge is only open seasonally, during the summer, according to Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputy Gregg Paul. (As of June 5, the lot was still closed, according to a reader who saw no signs of it reopening.) Or park a half-mile or more before Wohler Bridge, on Wohler Road, past the long string of "Do Not Park" signs. You'll then need to walk toward the river. Or avoid parking hassles by visiting on a mountain bike. On the south side of the bridge, look for a steel fence and go through a green gate with a large Keep Clear sign. Walk or ride past the water facility. An all-weather gravel trail to the nude beach and beyond starts there. The Water Agency doesn't hassle bikers or hikers on the path. The walk from the gate to the nude beach is easy and takes maybe 15-20 minutes, with the path sloping down through a redwood forest next to the river. Where the trees end, you'll see a fork in the road. Follow the right fork to the meadow being used by nudists. A path there also leads down to a little beach. If you come to a water collection pumping area, it means you've gone too far on the trail and should turn around and retrace your steps, looking for the clearing.

The beach: An eighth to a quarter mile long ribbon of flat, soft sand and river gravel. Wohler is fun for sunbathing. Although watercraft are constantly passing the site, a few visitors occasionally wade in the water or set up a volleyball net in the clearing. However, the riverbank is eroding, so some nudists are now visiting Upper Wohler Bridge, another beach that is just upstream.

The crowd: Nearly everyone is nude. Many visitors are gay males. Expect several dozen users on the hottest weekend days, but, more often, just a few visitors.

Problems: Eroding beach; area subject to raids based on complaints; proximity of canoeists and other water craft users; path may be muddy following rainfall; garbage; tight parking; long walk from the parking area; possible poison oak if you don’t stay on trail and within clearing; gay cruising in meadow area.

Rating: C.

UPPER WOHLER BRIDGE

New listing!

Just upstream from Lower Wohler Bridge, another small riverbank beach is being used by small numbers of clothing-optional visitors. Says one of the "early adapters" coming here: "It looks like it's going to be a good replacement for the beach at Lower Wohler that is eroding. And, better still, it's good for swimming too."

Legal status: Sonoma County Water Agency land. See Lower Wohler Bridge for anti-nudity enforcement policy.

How to find it: From San Francisco, take Highway 101 north past Santa Rosa to River Road, then go west for 10 minutes to Wohler Road. Turn right onto Wohler and drive 1.4 miles to the bridge, continue across it, and look for parking. Some readers have reported that no parking is available at Wohler. A parking lot near the bridge is only open seasonally, during the summer, according to Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputy Gregg Paul. (As of June 5, the lot was still closed, according to a reader who saw no signs of it reopening.) Or park a half-mile or more before Wohler Bridge, on Wohler Road, past the long string of "Do Not Park" signs. You'll then need to walk toward the river. Or avoid parking hassles by visiting on a mountain bike. On the south side of the bridge, look for a steel fence and go through a green gate with a large Keep Clear sign. Walk or ride past the water facility. An all-weather gravel trail to the nude beach and beyond starts there. The Water Agency doesn't hassle bikers or hikers on the path. The walk from the gate to the nude beach is easy and takes maybe 15-20 minutes, with the path sloping down through a redwood forest next to the river. Where the trees end, you'll see a fork in the road. At the fork in the road, bear left. Take the path down and up, through some bay trees, until you arrive at a pump station. The trail to the new beach starts near a clump of bamboo at the northwest end of the pumphouse "mound." Follow it through the willows until it ends at a long, curved gravel beach. The main nude sunning area is to the right, with the best sand located at the downstream end of the beach.

The beach: Either end of the beach is good for suitless sunbathing, but the best sand is at the downstream side, where a regular visitor has cleared and leveled some nice spots. To find them, just follow the trail next to the riverbank. "It's a nice secluded cove surrounded by willows," says a visitor.

The crowd: Often deserted, but starting to attract visitors. Gay cruising and a few incidents of public sex have been reported here.

Problems: Same as Lower Wohler Bridge, plus a longer walk; some public sex reported.

Rating: C.

SUNSET BEACH

Sonoma's original nude beach is still also its deepest and most popular swimming hole. Last summer, a swimmer drowned just downstream from the beach. Naked use, though, has dropped way off, with only a few people continuing to use it for clothing-optional tanning. They usually stay in or near the bushy area above Sunset's gently sloping hillside of sand that rings this stretch of the Russian River. "Guys will stand up in the bushes and then be seen by canoeists," says Gregg. Otherwise, it's strictly a suited site. Through mid-2006, sheriff's deputies had only received a single complaint about nudity at Sunset, and had not made any arrests or issued any citations, according to Gregg. Sunset is known locally as Hacienda Beach. Dogs love it. And in the early morning, check for butterflies gently fluttering along the water's edge. Sometimes, dozens of them cluster together right next to the river's edge. The last known citation here was in 1999, when an arrest for lewd behavior took place.

Legal status: Public access area of private property. For enforcement policy, see Lower Wohler Bridge.

How to find it: From San Francisco, go north on Highway 101, passing Santa Rosa, to River Road. Take River Road west to its intersection with Sunset Avenue in the Hacienda District, which is east of Guerneville and 2.1 miles east of the Korbel Winery. Park where you see other cars pulled over on either side of River Road, then follow Sunset until you get to the third "No Parking" sign, where you'll find an easy path that leads to the river. At the river, turn right and walk west (toward the ocean) about 100 feet. Just out of the woods, you'll come to a sandy hill usually frequented by a few people; the next beach you come to will be Sunset.

The beach: Sunset is a sloping beach with cool, deep water. Its biggest charms are its serenity and easy access. The walk to the quarter-mile-long beach is incredible.

The crowd: Sometimes it's in the hundreds, more often in the dozens. We counted about 15 visitors, including families and children, plus a few dogs, on the beach or in the water on a sunny weekend. Most users are suited.

Problems: Proximity of canoeists; rocks in river (wear water shoes; area subject to visits by deputies; parking on Sunset Avenue prohibited; nude use usually limited to bushes at top of beach.

Rating: C.

ODD FELLOWS BRIDGE

Despite its restrictive laws, yet another small, out of the way nude beach is emerging in Sonoma County. According posts on the Nudist-Resorts.org bulletin board, small numbers of single people, couples, and families have been sunbathing naked at a beach near Odd Fellows Bridge, between Guerneville and Sunset Beach, on the Russian River. The site is just east of Korbel Winery. "I've been frequenting this hidden little beach for three years now and it has become one of my favorites," says one writer. "The road is closed during winter, the bridge is removed in October, and replaced in May or June. Because of this, the beach area is rarely occupied." But, he adds, on warm spring weekends before the road is reopened, it isn't unusual to see "several couples and even families go nude there." Once summer arrives, though, more clothed people, traffic, and canoeists converge here. He remembers camping nude on the beach in spring 2004: "I felt so privileged." In July 2005, he camped there again. "I had the beach pretty much to myself," he writes. "The two couples that came through went nude also. Had a very peaceful time. The weather was perfect, and so was the water." Lately, a visitor who calls himself Redbeard has even been grooming the site. In June, Redbeard reported he's found at least four locations on the sand that are big and soft enough to hold a blanket. Rains washed away a small edge of the beach, but they also caused even more foliage, including some willow trees, to grow, which has been helping shield the site from passing canoeists.

Legal status: Believed to be public access area of private property. Says Redbeard: "I have never seen the owners, so discretion is required. As with all nudism in Sonoma County, out of sight is out of mind." See Lower Wohler Bridge for law enforcement policy.

How to find it: From Santa Rosa, go north on Highway 101 to River Road. Then follow River Road west, passing Wohler Road and Sunset Avenue, in the Hacienda District. After Sunset, River Road winds until it eventually curves past Korbel Winery. Check for Odd Fellows Park Road, which, if you're headed west, is the last street on the left before Korbel. Turn left onto Odd Fellows. Take it to Odd Fellows Bridge and park. If the bridge is not in place (it's there in late spring and summer), park at the end of the road. Walk to the last "Do Not Park" sign on your right. Follow the little trail that begins there as it goes up the embankment, staying on it as it heads to the right and takes you to the beach. Lay your towel down and you are now set to enjoy this little beach.

The beach: The beach curves and has a grove of willows that help keep it obscured from the view of passing canoeists and gawkers. Some of the trees fell during last winter's heavy storms but are now regrowing. In May or June, after the bridge is put back in place and traffic increases, clothing-optional visitors sometimes move to a nearby site, approximately .25 mile upstream, for more secluded tanning. "For the adventurous types, there is a clearing and meadow, big enough for Frisbee, on a private lot above," says Redbeard.

The crowd: Probably just you, but there may be a few other visitors present.

Problems: Due to increased traffic and canoeists, may be difficult to sunbathe nude here in the summer; private property; see Wohler Bridge for anti-nudity enforcement policy.

Rating: C.

BLANKET BEACH

Blanket Beach is so tiny that it's easy to miss. But if you check carefully, you should be able to find this fabulous little spot. "It's only big enough for a single blanket," says a regular visitor. Still, there are usually a few users at this sand-strewn riverbank sunbathing or swimming nude. During the warm months, it gets frequent nude use. Best time to show up: weekdays. On weekends, it's mostly a clothed beach used by spillovers from Sunset Beach -- usually a family or two who wander down the trail from Sunset Beach and discover it.

Legal status: Public access land of private property. For enforcement policy, see Lower Wohler Bridge.

How to find it: From Sunset Beach (see above) walk downstream about an eighth of a mile (toward the ocean, or if you're facing the river, to the right) to a small beach. If you arrive at The Rocks (see next entry), a quarter mile from Sunset, then you have passed Blanket Beach.

The beach: A sandy riverbank that's so small it can probably hold only a single, average-size blanket.

The crowd: Expect a handful of nude visitors on warm summer weekdays. On weekends, a clothed family or two -- but no nudists -- will usually be present.

Problems: Area subject to visits by deputies upon complaint; only holds a few people; needs better directions; nude use usually restricted to weekdays.

Rating: C.

THE ROCKS

True to its name, The Rocks attracts some rock jumpers and divers. Others use it for suitless sunbathing, swimming, reading, and just kicking back are the main activities at The Rocks, which is located just downstream from Sunset Beach. But if you swim or jump, please use caution.

Legal status: Public access land of private property. See Lower Wohler Bridge for enforcement policy.

How to find it: Follow the trail from Sunset (see above) downstream about a quarter mile.

The beach: A 200-foot long, sandy riverbank that has high rocks on one side, plus a deep swimming hole. Some visitors jump off the rocks.

The crowd: "It's used by a mix of men, women, and couples," says a frequent user named Tom. "No citations have ever been issued at this beach to my knowledge." Best time for nudies to visit is late on weekdays. The rest of the time, says Tom, "it's pretty busy with clothed vacation users."

Problems: Area subject to visits by deputies; nude use usually limited to weekdays; needs better directions.

Rating: C.

ELSEWHERE ON THE RUSSIAN RIVER

Want to make your own nude beach? Sandy shoals along the Russian River frequently attract skinny-dippers who like to start their own clothing-optional sunbathing sites. The best way to find such a spot: simply walk along the river's edge or a nearby path or paddle upstream or downstream. Places that are fully or partially shielded from public view work best. The water's higher and faster than normal this year and if local residents or passing river users complain, then you may be cited, so please be doubly cautious when heading for these hidden hangouts.

Legal status: Public access areas of private land. For policy, see Lower Wohler Bridge.

How to find it: From San Francisco, take Highway 101 north to Healdsburg, north of Santa Rosa. Favorite skinny-dipping locales that have not been raided often include the riverbanks off North Fitch Mountain Road and West Side Road, which parallels the Russian River between Guerneville and Healdsburg, and Steelhead Beach, across from the rusty Nail Bar, in the Mirabel area of Guerneville. Reader Doug wrote us, saying, "As long as people are well behaved, the locals don't mind" topless and nude sunbathing off a hard-to-find path near 2500 North Fitch Mountain Road. We investigated and were told by operators of a parking lot at 2636 North Fitch Mountain that nudists seldom appear and when they do local residents are quick to call deputies.

The beach: Sandy stretches of riverbank, except off North Fitch, which is a mix of gravel and sand.

The crowd: It will probably be just you!

Problems: Needs better directions; areas open to view by canoeists; possible raids by deputies; limited parking on North Fitch Mountain Road and elsewhere.

Rating: C.

CAZADERO

More than a half dozen old-fashioned skinny-dipping holes adorn the tiny Russian River community of Cazadero. For decades, they have been favorite places for locals to cool off and hang out. The owners of the swim spots, which are on private property, sometimes let pals, family members, and neighbors use them, but only with the owner's permission. As the word about these areas has filtered out, the owners of the private land around them have been trying to run any visitors they don't know off their properties. Authorities agree that, in many instances, they may have the right to do so. In particular, the owners are upset about the trash and noise created by the out-of-towners. Use with extreme caution, if at all.

Legal status: The area around the holes is private property. But what about the water? It's a murky question. "Many property owners claim the water to the middle of the river as their property," Gregg says. Lawyers who have researched these claims say that "if you can kayak or paddle to a swimming hole, you can use it, but not the riverbank," Gregg says. "But if you can't paddle to it, it's private property." When called to the scene, deputies usually try to avoid the controversy by urging visitors to leave. See Lower Wohler Bridge for policy. If you have any questions about legal issues, we suggest you contact local authorities.

How to find it: From San Francisco, take Highway 101 north, past Santa Rosa, to River Road. Follow River Road and Highway 116 west through Guerneville to the cutoff for Cazadero, which is called Austin Creek Road. Turn left on Cazadero Highway and continue to Cazadero. Hole one: In town, take Fort Ross Road west past Neistrath Road to Bohan Dillon Road. (If you get to Meyers Grade Road, you've gone three miles too far.) Turn right on Bohan Dillon, a dirt road that crosses a bridge. Park in the meadow just before the bridge. Take the little trail that starts there through the trees and bushes to the riverbank. Hole two: Look for cars pulled over off Kings Ridge Road, which heads north from Cazadero.

The beach: Tiny riverbank swimming holes, usually ringed by private land.

The crowd: Use varies, but is often limited to just a few people, even on the hottest days. More often, such places are deserted.

Problems: You'll probably be visited or cited by a deputy if the owner of the property or a family member, friend, or passerby complains; trash; noise; needs better directions.

Rating: D.

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