Thanks to Point Arena, this southern section of the Mendocino coast gets a ton of sunshine. Though still chillier than say, Los Angeles, the beaches here are as warm as it gets in the North Coast, so bring a wetsuit and your polar bear sensibility. Fish Rock Beach, located at the Anchor Bay Campground, is a favorite of local families....
Fishermen, surfers and walkers flock to the coastal bluffs of the headlands. In winter watch the whales migrate past the coast, surprisingly close to shore. In summer, hike down to the coves that offers sweet (but chilly) swimming areas. This beach is adjacent to the Caspar Headlands State Reserve, noted for its rock formations and ocean views. To access these...
From 1906 to 1967, cars, batteries and bottles were tossed over the cliffs into the ocean. These days, someone’s trash has morphed into others’ treasures on Glass Beach. Walk the half mile out to one of three coves blanketed with sea glass, much of it sapphire and red, colors rarely found on California beaches. For those uninterested in old apothecary...
The tiny town of Elk, a former logging town, formerly known as Greenwood, now houses a quirky collection of locals. The main beach in town is quite lovely. A short trail down to a cove decorated with emerald seaweed and secret coves. Join the artists and seaweed harvesters as you wander along the quiet beach. The beach visitor center houses...
Outdoor lovers from Sonoma and Mendocino counties flock to this huge coastal park. Hikers weave along the Gualala River, finding hidden nooks to picnic, fish, or camp in the redwoods. Walkers trek the 2.9 miles of walking paths hugging the lips of the bluffs. Campers should reserve a spot well in advance on summer weekends. Day trippers can park here...
Halfway between Fort Bragg and Mendocino, go check out the 2.5-mile staircase trail from the coast to the Pygmy Forest. This environment displays the ecological succession and landscape evolution of the coast mountains. Once sandstone, the terraces (that create a natural staircase) have been weathered for different lengths of time by sea, wind, and tectonic plate movements. Jug Handle Beach...
Seven miles of sandy beach, wetlands, tide pools, and even a lake make this one of Mendocino County’s most beloved outdoor spaces. There’s a wheelchair-accessible coastal bluff trail popular with walkers and sunset meanders. In-the-know divers come here to explore the 450 acres of underwater parkland. Plus there’s a great bike trail along the coast. From the park, you can...
Surrounding the town of Mendocino, along CA 1, these headlands meander down to the shore. Most travelers wander across Main Street to the coastal bluffs for stunning views of Mendocino’s dollhouse-like Victorians. Inland, named for the size of redwoods growing along the river, the Big River wetlands, a 7440-acre wildlife corridor adjoining Jackson Demonstration Forest with Mendocino Woodlands State Park,...
The 11 miles of second-growth redwoods have a way of blocking out the sun in the sweetest way. This park is an excellent place to kayak, canoe, hike, swim, camp, or just hang out and enjoy the splendor of these giant trees, especially since in summer it gets pretty warm here. If you want to pitch a tent, Navarro Beach...
This little beach cove is one of Mendocino county’s most overlooked destination. In-the-know visitors flock here for fantastic diving (sunken ships, abalone, harbor seal-viewing locations), the best surf spot on this stretch of coast, a boat launch, and tide pools. Fishermen reel in lingcod from the 330-foot pier. And since you don’t need a fishing license, it can get crowded....
Climb to the top of the tallest lighthouse in the Western U.S. and gaze out to sea, spotting whales, birds, and maybe a passing ship. Rebuilt after being destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, the 1908 building features a 6-foot glass prism lens. There are daily tours of the lighthouse. In-the-know beachcombers hike the 23 acres, meandering down the bluffs to...
Two of Mendocino’s best beaches are in Schooner Gulch State Beach. To access the beaches, from Highway 1, park at mile marker 11.41. The southern trailhead takes you to Schooner Gulch Beach, a lovely strip of rock and sand popular with families and surfers. The northern trailhead takes you to Bowling Ball Beach. At low tide, a tribe of massive...
Outdoor adventurers will adore this 2069-acre state park. Hiking and biking trails lead you up to Fern Canyon; a rocky beach meets the river, where divers, kayakers, cold-water-loving swimmers, and boaters head out to sea; and the famed Pygmy Forest of century-old cypress and pine trees, none taller than 10 feet, might have you scratching your head. And finally, if...