Deadly Waves And Currents Abound At One Of California's Most Dangerous Beaches

When we think of California, its spectacular coastline is often the first thing that springs to mind. At 840 miles long, with hundreds of underrated, bucket list-worthy beaches, this is the nation's most iconic shoreline, famous for its wide sands, rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and absolutely stunning sunsets. It's also a premier destination for ocean sports such as surfing and sea kayaking, as well as pastimes dedicated to harvesting its endless bounty, which include fishing, crabbing, and digging clams.

California's coast is rich in beauty and resources and is a magnet for the whole state, attracting visitors who long to take a dip in the water or an evening stroll along its storied sands. However, before you go, it pays to educate yourself about the risks, as things can get quite treacherous, especially for visitors who are unfamiliar with the tides and terrain.

One particularly perilous spot is Schoolhouse Beach near Bodega Bay, on the state's central coast just north of San Francisco. Popular with surf fishermen, Schoolhouse Beach is a gorgeous stretch of sand carved out of the rock on the edge of the North American continent. The place is wild and raw, and while you may be tempted to strip down and take a swim, the waters on this part of the coast are quite hazardous, so your best bet is to stay out and enjoy the waves from the relative safety of the shore.

Schoolhouse Beach sits on the Sonoma Coast, a stretch of California shoreline renowned for its untamed beauty. Like many beaches in the region, Schoolhouse has few amenities. Nature, instead, is the star of the show, and while she shines mightily in the form of gnarled rock, soft sands, and the aquamarine, surging glory of the Pacific. You also have to respect her, as there are no lifeguards on duty to pull you out when you get into trouble. 

The biggest danger at Schoolhouse Beach is rip currents, which means you should probably stay out of the water. These treacherously strong currents can pull swimmers away from the beach and out to sea, and the frigid year-round water temperatures drastically lower your chance of survival. California saw over 1,000 drowning related deaths between 1991 and 2021 at unguarded beaches, and Schoolhouse Beach is ranked as one of the deadliest beaches in the Bay Area. 

Rip currents aren't the only thing to watch out for, either. While the surface of the ocean may look relatively placid, sneaker waves can come out of nowhere like mini-tsunamis, inundating the area with frothy, icy water before racing back out to sea. This recently happened at California's Ventura Beach, injuring several people and damaging vehicles. In 2017, a woman was swept away by a sneaker wave near Schoolhouse Beach, and since then there have been other drownings as well.

Whether it's Schoolhouse Beach or another locale — such as this gorgeous beach famous for its seal population – wild waves and rip currents aren't the only thing to watch out for. If you do decide to go into the water, be aware of sudden drop offs, which can have you over your head in four or five steps. Undertow is also a serious hidden danger, where the current can suck you below the surface and whip you around in a circle like a washing machine before spitting you back up.

Anytime you plan to visit a California beach, also be aware of the tides, as a high tide can cut off trails around headlands and leave you stranded. You can monitor the tides online with apps such as Tide Alert, My Tide Times, and Nautide. The California coast is also a place of steep cliffs. These can suddenly collapse under your feet, so stay away from the edges and take great care when descending paths leading to the beach.

In addition, jetties and big rocks may not offer the safety you think, as waves can suddenly rush over them and knock you down onto more rocks or into the ocean itself. Be aware that not all beaches will have cell phone service, especially in more remote stretches of coastline, and while very rare, tsunamis are always a danger. If you experience shaking ground, a strange ocean roar, or water suddenly receding far out like a freakishly low tide, head to higher ground immediately.