๐ Sonoma County Area
๐น Gualala Point Regional Park Beach: top beaches for surfperch in Northern California.
๐น Salmon Creek Beach (North & South)ย
๐น Shell Beach Part of Sonoma Coast State Park: Mixed sand/rock, good structure, known among anglers.ย
๐น Portuguese Beach: South of Salmon Creek; more secluded. Has been noted in guidebooks for surf and rock/sand mix.
๐น Schoolhouse Beach: Near Portuguese & Shell Beaches. Smaller, with steeper access; worth exploring.
๐น Doran Beach / Bodega Bay area: In Bodega Bay region. Sands plus jetty/rock structure at harbor mouth. Might get surf perch mixed in when surf conditions allow.
๐น Gualala Point: More precisely Gualala Point Beachย Called out in โTop 5 Beaches for Surfperch Fishingโ as perhaps the best in Sonoma.
๐น Salt Point State Park: Rock/reef + exposed coast; more risky surf but has shore fishing. Might have less sandy bottom, so fish locations may be more limited.
๐ Marlin County Area
๐น Stinson Beach: A sandy stretch on the Marin coast; good access. Often mentioned as a classic beach; likely to have surf perch.
๐น Bolinas Beach: Gentle break, sandy edges + lagoon entrance; popular surf spot. Could be productive for perch.
๐น Muir Beach: Crescentโshaped, sandy beach; more sheltered; may require walking access.
๐น Rodeo Beach (Marin Headlands): Pebbly & mixed sand/pebble; exposed to ocean swells; structure can congregate fish. Good possibility.
๐น Tennessee Valley Beach: (Tennessee Cove) More remote; mixed terrain; waves can be strong. May produce perch under good conditions.
๐น Limantour Beach: Long sandy beach; large area; likely spots especially near troughs or when forage is present.
๐น Drakes Beach (Point Reyes): Driveโup access; likely to have settings where surf perch might show.
๐น Kehoe Beach: More remote walk in beach; mixed sand & rocks; may work depending on surf.
๐น Abbotts Lagoon Beach: More remote; long walk through dunes; very sandy. Possibly less fishing pressure; potential for perch.ย
๐น Agate Beach Park (Bolinas / Point Reyes area): Rocky/sandy mix, tidepools etc; may have some surf perch especially near the sandy bits.
๐ San Francisco Area
๐น Ocean Beach / Fort Funston / Mussel Rock Beach
Excellent surfperch fishery, especially near the Cliff House and Noriega St. access.
Look for rip currents and troughs.
Fish early morning or dusk during an incoming tide.
๐ Pacifica Area
๐น Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar)
Protected cove makes for calm surf โ great for perch.
Sand crab beds and troughs near the south end are hot spots.
๐น Rockaway Beach
Short beach, but productive near rocks and rip channels.
๐น Sharp Park Beach (by Pacifica Pier)
You can fish both from the pier and the adjacent beach.
Great for barred and walleye surfperch.
๐ Half Moon Bay Area
๐น Montara State Beach
Deep drop-offs and small sand crab beds.
Great at higher tide, especially in spring/summer.
๐น Half Moon Bay State Beach (Venice, Dunes, Francis Beaches)
Miles of fishable shoreline.
Fish near the rivermouth and during calm surf conditions.
๐น San Gregorio & Pomponio State Beaches
Underrated and lightly pressured.
Good sand structure for perch.
๐ Pescadero Area
๐น Pescadero State Beach
Sand/rock transitions = good perch zone.
Best during spring grunion runs or mole crab activity.
๐ Santa Cruz County
๐น Waddell Creek Beach
Near creek outflow, great perch action.
Remote and beautiful โ lightly fished.
๐น Davenport Beach
Rocky and sandy mix = big perch possible.
Fish near the cliffs and reefy edges.
๐น Four Mile / Panther Beach
Classic barred perch water.
Use light tackle and fish low-light hours.
๐น Natural Bridges / West Cliff Drive beaches
Small sandy pockets near reef and kelp zones = great for calico surfperch.
๐น Capitola Beach
Gentle surf and consistent action.
Good pier access too.
๐ Monterey Bay Area
๐น New Brighton State Beasch / Rio Del Mar / Seacliff State Beach (Aptos)
One of the most consistent surfperch beaches in the state.
Easy access, good structure, and bait-rich water.
๐น Manresa / Sunset State Beach / Palm Beach
๐น Zumbowski State Beach / Moss Landing State Beach
๐น Salinas River State Beach / Marina State Beach
Deep water access and consistent sand crab beds.
One of the best beaches for perch in Monterey County.
๐น Del Monte Beach (Monterey)
Right in town and very fishable.
Barred and walleye surfperch common.
โ Surfperch Fishing Tips
Tide: Incoming to high tide.
Time: Early morning or dusk.
Bait: Sand crabs (dug fresh), Gulp! Sandworms (camo), shrimp, mussels.
Lures: 2โโ3โ grub tails (motor oil, root beer, chartreuse), or Gulp sandworms.
Rig: Carolina rig with 1/2โ1 oz sliding egg sinker and #4โ#6 hook.
Gear: Light 8โ9 ft surf rod with 6โ10 lb test line.