By Amy Wolf, Sunset travel editor
Can you name this beach? Hint: I mentioned it in a previous blog. Another hint: There’s a story about it (it and nine other beaches) in the July issue of Sunset.
Yes, that’s right: Bowling Ball Beach. I knew you knew it. I just couldn’t resist sharing a few more of my snapshots from the beach. It’s just about the most photogenic beach I’ve ever seen. If you’re still scrambling for ideas for 4th of July weekend (I know I am), this would be a good place to go.
Where is this hidden beach (which will no longer be hidden after all of you read this), you ask? Read the magazine! OK, I’ll give it up. It’s just outside the tiny hamlet of Anchor Bay, on the Mendocino Coast. It’s not the easiest place to find, but I know you have the July issue sitting by your bedside. You can get directions there. Be forewarned that the walk to the beach is a tad squirrely, requiring one short scramble down a rope ladder (pictured above). We were able to do it with wee ones in tow, but they had to be carried.
To continue the quiz theme, can you guess how these otherworldly bowling-ball-esque rocks were formed? I’m no geologist, but based on this scene that I saw at the beach, the rocks didn’t roll out of the sea (although that would be cool thing to witness). Instead, they apparently emerged from the earth as the softer sandstone eroded around them. Anyone who needs a living geology lesson, this would be a good place to start.
Up for another test? OK, what kind of birds are these? Post your answer as a comment below. Bonus points if you can guess where this photo was taken. Hint: not far from Bowling Ball Beach...
