Park Information

Sandstone formations

Sandstone and Tafoni

Ever wonder where the streets of San Francisco came from? Sandstone from Salt Point was used in the construction of San Francisco's streets and buildings during the mid-1800s. If you look closely at the rocks at Gerstle Cove, you can still see eyebolts where the ships anchored, where sandstone slabs were loaded on board. Quarried rocks can still be seen scattered along the marine terrace north of Gerstle Cove. Look for the drill holes along the edges of the rocks that were used to separate the large rocks into smaller slabs.

Tafoni is the Italian word for ‘cavern’. It is a natural phenomenon that is common along the sandstone near the ocean's edge at Gerstle Cove and Fisk Mill. Look for a honeycomb-type network carved into the rocks forming pits, knobs, ribs, and ridges.

Hazardous Tree Conditions:

Pitch canker is a fungal disease caused by Fusarium circinatum, and can infect multiple species of pine trees. It is currently found in 18 coastal counties in California as well as the south-eastern United States, Europe, South America, and parts of Asia. In Sonoma County, pitch canker primarily infects Bishop pines (Pinus muricata) and can cause high rates of mortality. Some stands in Salt Point SP and Fort Ross SHP exhibit 100% mortality, creating many dead trees which pose a hazard to park visitors, staff, and facilities. A management plan is being developed to address this problem in order to protect park visitors, facilities, and ensure the long-term survival of the Bishop pine ecosystem.

Fly Amanita mushroomFly Amanita mushroom – highly toxic!

Mushroom Foraging:

Current mushroom regulations for Salt Point State Park are:

  • A maximum limit of 2 lbs per day, per person.
  • Organized groups (‘those who advertise an event; charge fees to participate; identify themselves as a mycological organization, either for scientific or personal collection purposes; university classes; and/or those groups larger than 10 people’. Sonoma Mendocino Coast District Superintendent’s Order No. 651-23-005) MUST acquire a Special Event Permit at the Russian River Sector Office in Duncans Mills.
  • A limit of 2 lbs per person or one mushroom/fungi (whichever is greater) per day is allowed for group collection activities.
  • No collection for commercial sale is permitted.
  • Please keep the trails and forest free of litter. Avoid disturbing vegetation (including mushrooms you do not intend to take), and do not leave discarded mushrooms along the trails.
  • Collect only where it is permitted. Fort Ross State Historic Park and Kruse Rhododendron Reserve are all prohibited gather areas.
  • Do not forage for mushroom in developed areas such as campgrounds or State Employee Housing areas.
  • Parking for mushroom foraging is only permitted in Day Use area lots, Stump Beach parking lot, or at safe Highway 1 pull-outs.