Blanket Beach

01.05.10 - 11:20 am | Gary Hanauer |

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Rating: C

Here's a blanket statement: people who don't come early will miss out on using Blanket Beach, where a towel's needed, but clothes aren't. The site is frequently used by nude sunbathers and swimmers in the summer. But, even if it's cold, drop by in the morning or you'll have to go elsewhere. "It's only big enough for a single blanket," says a regular visitor. Best time to visit is weekdays. On weekends, it's often occupied by the first swimsuit-wearing guests who appear -- usually a family or two who wander down the trail from nearby Sunset Beach.

Legal status:

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

How to find it:

Blanket Beach is easy to miss. But if you look carefully, you should be able to find this great little spot. From Sunset Beach (see above), walk downstream about an eighth of a mile (toward the ocean, or if you are 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 hold 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.