Point Arena is a small, alternate life-style community that struggled for many years to find a solid economic base. In its earliest years, this cape was named Cabo de Fortunas in 1543 by the Spaniard navigator, Bartolome Ferrelo; then in 1775 when Bodega y Cuadro arrived from the Mexican government he renamed it Punta Delgado. Next the cape somehow acquired the name of Barra de Arena, which means sand bar in Mexican. Now, in our day, this same area and town is called Point Arena. All this name changing makes some sense in that the huge, identifying sandbar which once stretched far out to sea, vanished in a severe winter storm
In recent decades, the town has experienced several major fires, a boom-and-bust urchin-gathering industry, and the gradual elimination of local enterprises other than retail services. You'll find excellent restaurants, the wonderful old theater, fine B&B's, and rewarding trips to the wharf area and the Point Arena Lighthouse.
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