Upper Wohler Bridge

01.05.10 - 11:18 am | Gary Hanauer |

(3)

Rating: C

Just upstream Lower Wohler Bridge, which has a decades-long tradition of nude use, another riverbank beach is starting to be used by clothing-optional sunbathing. "It looks like it's going to be a good replacement for the beach at Lower Wohler that is eroding," says a visitor. "And, better still, it's good for swimming."

Adds Redbeard, a poster on a naturist Internet message board who visited in April 2008: "It's worth checking out. It gets good sun throughout the day, yet is very secluded."

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 lot near the bridge was open seasonally, during the summer. 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 riding 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. Continue past the water facility. An all-weather gravel trail to the nude beach and beyond starts here. The Water Agency does not 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 newest Wohler Bridge 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 preferred sand is on the downstream side, where a regular visitor has cleared and leveled some nice spots. To find them, follow the trail next to the riverbank. "It's a nice secluded cove surrounded by willows," says a user.

The crowd:

A few visitors have been showing up, now that the word is out about the beach. But the site is often deserted. 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.

Select an Area:

Comments

No more Wohler Bridge Beach

This beach does not exist. It was mowed down at least five years ago!!!! I don't know who the idiots are that keep reporting this beach, but if you use google maps you can see for yourself. First of all, there is NO parking past the "Do Not Park" signs, since the "Do Not Park" signs continue ALL THE WAY TO THE BRIDGE!!!!
Back to google and from my personal experience: Walking up from the "South side" you see all vegetation: that means NO BEACH. A little further, you will see a tiny island with sludgy green water surrounding it, which is perhaps where the beach used to be. On the opposite side of the river and the sludge, is a thin strip of sand which appears to be something a tractor pushed over (also not a beach.)

Posted by Guest on Apr. 25, 2010 @ 2:30 am

no beach

i was there this weekend, there are some very private area that do exist( the google map is old!!!!!!)

Posted by Guest on May. 31, 2010 @ 7:55 pm

wolher 2010

In response to the beach mowed, go up to the pump and see the cleared area. As for the google photos, they are at least four years old. If you want a nice private area there, plan to a couple off miles( one mile up wolher and about a mile to the beach

Posted by Guest on May. 31, 2010 @ 7:52 pm