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ОглавлениеMENDOCINO COUNTY
Map
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
Photos
Mendocino County draws visitors from California and around the world to its rocky shoreline, sandy pocket beaches, and dense forests. Along with its natural attractions, the Mendocino County coast has fine art galleries, unique performance spaces, and lively community events.
Visit a gallery or take in a performance
For over half a century, the nonprofit Mendocino Art Center has exhibited the work of artists from the Mendocino area and beyond and has offered classes in painting, sculpture, ceramics, and jewelry-making. Outdoor painting demonstrations and quick-draw competitions are just a few of the center’s public events. The Art Center’s activities include the annual Mendocino Coast garden tour held in June and arts and crafts fairs that take place in July and November. Musical performances take place on the first Sunday of each month. The Mendocino Art Center is located at Little Lake and Kasten streets. For information, see: www.mendocinoartcenter.org. With a long-standing reputation as an artist-friendly community, the town of Mendocino is also home to many commercial galleries, as are Fort Bragg and other Mendocino County communities.
Mendocino Art Center
The Mendocino Theatre Company offers a year-round schedule of plays at its theater at 45200 Little Lake St.; for information, call: 707-937-4477. In Fort Bragg, the venerable Gloriana Theatre puts on a range of productions; call: 707-964-7469. The Symphony of the Redwoods performs at venues in Fort Bragg and Mendocino; for upcoming performances, call: 707-964-0898. The beautifully restored circa-1928 Arena Theater in Point Arena maintains a busy schedule of film screenings, live opera simulcasts, theater works, and community events; call: 707-882-3456. In Gualala, the Art in the Redwoods Festival, now in its sixth decade, is held in August, with performances and art exhibits. For information on events throughout the county, see: www.mendocino.com.
Kayak on the sea
Relatively sheltered waters at Van Damme State Park, plus a beach-level parking area, make the park a fine launch spot for sea kayakers; sea caves are not far away. Kayak Mendocino offers tours year round from Van Damme State Park; call: 707-937-0700. At Mendocino Headlands State Park, Big River Beach is another spot to launch small craft, and the rocky shore has sea caves and excellent views of the historic town of Mendocino perched on its plateau. Catch-a-Canoe, located at the Stanford Inn on the south bank of Big River, offers boat rentals and bicycles, too; call: 707-937-0273. Russian Gulch State Park also has a good kayak launch spot at a cove beach. The small community of Elk is situated on a high bluff, but a paved path provides a way for kayakers to roll equipment down to the water’s edge at Greenwood State Beach. Dramatic sea caves and offshore rocks await visitors who launch there. Tours and instruction are available at various Mendocino County locations from Liquid Fusion Kayaking; call: 707-962-1623.
Mendocino Bay Overlook
Go fishing
Noyo Harbor at Fort Bragg is a departure point for ocean fishing trips. Albacore, salmon, lingcod, and rockfish are frequently taken by those on party boats, which can be arranged at the harbor. Wildlife excursions in search of seabirds and gray or blue whales can also be booked at Noyo Harbor. Shore fishing is possible at numerous sites along Mendocino County’s rocky coast, and abalone divers often head for Russian Gulch State Park and Van Damme State Park.
Explore the back country
Most of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is roadless, and many of its attractions can be reached only on foot or horseback. Together with the adjoining King Range National Conservation Area, Sinkyone Wilderness State Park provides a long stretch of undeveloped coast for intrepid explorers. Several more easily reached coastal destinations also include a back-country component. Jug Handle State Natural Reserve, Russian Gulch State Park, and Van Damme State Park offer much more than the shoreline activities for which they are well known; each has forests and meadows with miles of trails for hikers or, in some cases, bicyclists or equestrians, located well inland from the coast. Mendocino Headlands State Park draws many visitors to the scenic bluffs around the town of Mendocino, but the park also includes over 7,000 acres of land in the Big River watershed, inland of Hwy. One. Visitors get there by trail or by kayak on the river itself.
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, Lost Coast Trail
Big River
Other attractions
Annual Whale Festivals are held in the Mendocino County communities of Fort Bragg, Mendocino, and Little River on successive weekends in March during the gray whale’s migration season. Sea kayak tours, food and wine tasting, and art exhibits are scheduled. On the first Saturday in July, Fort Bragg hosts what is billed as the world’s largest salmon barbecue, benefitting salmon restoration efforts. For information on all these annual events, see: www.fortbragg.com.
Near the Mendocino County coast is a geological oddity, the strange sinkhole reached via the Little River Blowhole Trail. Despite the site’s name, water does not actually splash up out of the deep, circular hole in the bluff, but at high tide the waves wash rather mysteriously into it through a half-hidden natural tunnel. At Russian Gulch State Park is a feature called the Devil’s Punchbowl, actually a collapsed sea cave, into which the ocean surges at high tide.
Mendocino County’s pygmy forest is a rare living resource. At Van Damme State Park dwarf trees and shrubs grow in shallow, nutrient-poor soil called podzol, a Russian word that describes the soil’s ash-gray color. Pygmy trees that are decades old may reach a height of only two or three feet; in better conditions the same species attain normal size. Pygmy forest soils are among the most acidic in the world, with a pH about the same as vinegar. A boardwalk leading through the forest is reached via Little River Rd., off Hwy. One.
Mendocino County
Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
KING RANGE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA: Mattole River Beach (Humboldt Co.) to Four Corners (Mendocino Co.). Most of the King Range is in Humboldt County. The Lost Coast Trail continues south from the Hidden Valley trailhead on Chemise Mountain Rd. into Sinkyone Wilderness State Park in Mendocino County. Nadelos and Wailaki campgrounds, accessible by Chemise Mountain Rd., are near the Lost Coast Trail.
NEEDLE ROCK: Briceland Rd./Mendocino Co. Route 435, 7 mi. S.W. of Four Corners. Sinkyone Wilderness State Park visitor center, picnic area, campsites, and the park’s only ready-to-drink water. Hike-in Jones Beach and Streamside Camps are nearby along the Lost Coast Trail.
SINKYONE WILDERNESS STATE PARK: Between Four Corners and Usal Beach Camp. A rugged park, mostly roadless. From the north, approach via Briceland Rd. (in Mendocino Co. labeled as Route 435); parts may be impassable in winter. From Hwy. One in Mendocino County, access the park by vehicle as far as Usal Beach Camp via narrow unpaved Usal Rd. (Route 431).
Park open all year for hiking and primitive camping; no reservations taken. Most campsites are on the Lost Coast Trail. Mountain bikes permitted on roads open to vehicles but prohibited on hiking trails; some trails open to equestrians. For recorded park information and road conditions, call: 707-986-7711.
Keep in Mind When Visiting Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
Campers must check in first at Needle Rock or Usal Beach
Bring all supplies you will need, including drinking water and firewood
Narrow, steep roads are unsuitable for RVs and trailers
Wood gathering not allowed; fires allowed only in facilities provided
Pack your trash out when leaving
Bears frequent this area; store food and scented items properly at all times
Dogs are not allowed on trails and are discouraged elsewhere due to Roosevelt elk, which can be aggressive toward canines
BEAR HARBOR: Near S. end of Briceland Rd./Route 435. Campsites are in three groups at Orchard Camp, Railroad Camp, and Bear Harbor Camp.
LOST COAST TRAIL: Paralleling the shoreline between Orchard Creek and Usal Beach Camp, Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. The Lost Coast Trail runs the length of the park, at least a three-day walk. Much of the trail passes through forests high above the ocean. Campsites are at Wheeler Camp (equestrians welcome), Little Jackass Creek, and Anderson Gulch.
USAL BEACH CAMP: Usal Rd., 6 mi. N. of Hwy. One turnoff at mile-post 90.88. Fifteen campsites accessible via heavily rutted dirt road. Tables, fire rings, pit toilets.
▪ Surf fishing
▪ Abalone diving
▪ Equestrian camping
INTERTRIBAL SINKYONE WILDERNESS: E. of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. The InterTribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council, composed of ten northern California Indian tribes with ties to the Sinkyone region, manages some 3,800 acres of land east of the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. For information, call: 707-468-9500.
Mendocino County
Westport Area
OVERLOOKS: Hwy. One at Hardy and Juan Creeks, 6.3 and 5.8 mi. N. of Westport. Roadside overlooks at Hwy. One mileposts 83.5 and 82.96; no improved beach access.
WESTPORT-UNION LANDING STATE BEACH: W. of Hwy. One, 3 mi. N. of Westport. Day use and camping on a narrow ocean bluff. The main day-use area is the beach at the mouth of Howard Creek. Eighty-six primitive campsites along the open bluff. Picnic tables and fire rings; no reservations taken. Fee for camping; no fee for day use. Call: 707-937-5804.
▪ Tidepooling
▪ Fishing
▪ Abalone diving
WESTPORT BEACH RV PARK: Hwy. One, .5 mi. N. of Westport. Privately run campground near the mouth of Wages Creek. Seventy-five RV sites with hookups, 50 tent campsites, plus group sites. Call: 707-964-2964.
▪ Volleyball and horseshoes
▪ Surfing
▪ Surf fishing
PETE’S BEACH: Hwy. One, .3 mi. N. of Westport. Stairs to beach start at an opening in the thicket at the south end of an unpaved pull-out. Part of Westport-Union Landing State Beach. Call: 707-937-5804.
WESTPORT HEADLANDS: Hwy. One, 7.5 mi. N. of Ten Mile River. Open bluff across Hwy. One from Westport. Stairs to beach are opposite the end of Pelican Road. Wheelchair-accessible parking and viewing platform off Omega Drive.
▪ Kayak launch spot
▪ Blufftop views
CHADBOURNE GULCH: Hwy. One, 5.8 mi. N. of Ten Mile River. Mile-long sandy beach, known by surfers as Blues Beach, accessible from dirt parking area at milepost 75.43. No facilities.
▪ Surf fishing
▪ Poke-pole fishing for monkey-face eels
▪ Abalone diving
VISTA POINT: W. of Hwy. One, 4.5 mi. N. of Ten Mile River. A large paved parking area, equipped with interpretive panels, is located at milepost 74.09. A path leads toward the shoreline near Bruhel Point, providing blufftop views. A wheelchair-accessible path leads south a short distance from the parking area.
NEWPORT TRAIL: W. of Hwy. One, 1.9 mi. N. of Ten Mile River. A segment of the California Coastal Trail for hikers and mountain bikers parallels Hwy. One on the west side from milepost 72.15 to 73.22. A parking lot and viewpoint are planned at the north end.
SOUTH KIBESILLAH GULCH VIEW AREA: W. of Hwy. One, 2.1 mi. N. of Ten Mile River. Unsigned overlook and parking at milepost 71.95; no beach access.
SEASIDE CREEK BEACH: W. of Hwy. One, 1 mi. N. of Ten Mile River. Sandy beach adjacent to Hwy. One, extending to the mouth of the Ten Mile River.
▪ Beachcombing
▪ Surf fishing
▪ Surfing
Mendocino County
MacKerricher State Park Area
TEN MILE RIVER VIEW AREA: S. side of Ten Mile River Bridge. Parking area on south side of bridge, with interpretive panels. Paved pedestrian access across the bridge; views of river and dunes.
MACKERRICHER STATE PARK: From Ten Mile River S. to Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. Eight miles of beaches, dunes, and rocky shoreline. Main park entrance is at Cleone. Additional beach access points within the state park include the end of Ward Ave., a parking area opposite Airport Rd., Pudding Creek, and Glass Beach Drive.
MacKerricher State Park campground includes more than 140 developed sites for RVs or tents; some campsites are wheelchair accessible. Also available are group campsites and 10 walk-in sites set in a forest. Leashed dogs allowed in campground. Visitor center is at the main park entrance. Beach wheelchair available.
▪ Nature walks and campfire programs
▪ Surf fishing
▪ Horseback rides can be arranged locally
WARD AVENUE: Just N. of MacKerricher State Park main entrance. Parking and access to sand dunes and miles of beach, both north and south. Seasonal restrictions may be in effect to protect nesting habitat of the western snowy plover.
▪ Popular surfing spot
▪ Haul road trail access
LAKE CLEONE: End of Mill Creek Drive. Freshwater lake is ringed by a 1.3-mile-long trail. Non-motorized boats allowed. Picnic area overlooks the lake.
Birds seen year round at the lake include great blue herons, ring-necked and mallard ducks, and osprey
▪ Freshwater fishing
LAGUNA POINT: End of Mill Creek Drive. On a clear day the headland offers an unimpeded view of the mountainous coastline to the north.
▪ Look for harbor seals on the rocks and gray whales migrating along the coast, November to early May
▪ Wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leads around Laguna Point
HAUL ROAD ACCESS: From Ward Ave. to Glass Beach Dr., Fort Bragg. The old timber haul road now serves as a paved multi-use trail through MacKerricher State Park. The trail, a segment in the California Coastal Trail, can be accessed from the end of Ward Ave., at Laguna Point, and from a parking area off Hwy. One, 100 yards south of Airport Road. There is also trail access at the north end of Glass Beach Dr. in Fort Bragg.
Mendocino County
Fort Bragg
PUDDING CREEK BEACH: Hwy. One at Pudding Creek, Fort Bragg. Wide sandy beach beneath the old wooden trestle. Part of MacKerricher State Park.
GLASS BEACH: W. end of Elm St., Fort Bragg. Path to beach starts at Glass Beach Dr., at the end of Elm Street. Roadside parking. Part of MacKerricher State Park.
▪ Look for surf-polished bits of blue, green, and red glass
FORT BRAGG COASTAL PARKLAND: Hwy. One, 10 mi. N. of Mendocino. Fort Bragg’s shoreline between Glass Beach and the Noyo River mouth was dominated for a century by its sawmills. By 2003 all mill operations ceased. Re-use of the area is pending, perhaps to include a route for the California Coastal Trail and public open space.
▪ The historic Skunk Train offers excursion trips through the redwoods between Fort Bragg and Willits; call: 707-964-6371
NOYO HARBOR: Off Hwy. One, 1.8 mi. S. of Fort Bragg. Commercial fishing harbor, with restaurants, marine-related businesses, and nice views. Lawn and public viewing area overlooking fishing boats is next to Ocean Fresh Fish Market. A sandy beach is at the far west end of Harbor Dr., beyond the Hwy. One bridge that passes high overhead.
▪ Sport fishing trips can be arranged
▪ Public boat ramps are at the ends of Basin St. and South Harbor Dr., on the south bank of the Noyo River
POMO BLUFFS PARK: Cliff Way, off Ocean View Dr., .2 mi. S. of Noyo River Bridge, Fort Bragg. Grand views of the Noyo River mouth from atop the bluff, trails, interpretive displays. Call: 707-961-2827.
HARE CREEK PUBLIC ACCESS: S. of Bay View Ave., Fort Bragg. Walk south from College of the Redwoods parking lot. At Bay View Ave., turn west for 100 yards and look for signed trail-head. Trail leads south, then east, then south again to sandy cove beach. Private property is adjacent; do not trespass.
MENDOCINO COAST BOTANICAL GARDEN: 18220 N. Hwy. One, Fort Bragg. Flowering shrubs and perennials of great variety are set among pine trees. Paths, some wheelchair accessible, lead to the ocean bluffs; electric carts for use by guests are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fee for garden entry; no fee for beach access. Open year round except major holidays. Call: 707-964-4352.
▪ Towering rhododendrons bloom in spring
▪ Picnicking on the grounds is allowed
▪ There are stunning views of rocky coves and surf
BELINDA POINT: 17410 Ocean Dr., S. of Fort Bragg. Turn west from Hwy. One onto Ocean Dr., eight-tenths of a mile south of the Hwy. 20 intersection. Continue another eight-tenths of a mile to the signed trailhead on the right; shoulder parking. A half-mile-long trail leads to a bluff-top walkway and stairs to a rocky cove beach. Call: 707-962-0470.
Mendocino County
Point Cabrillo Area
PATH TO BEACH: Ocean Dr. near Hwy. One, 2 mi. N. of Caspar Creek. Park on west side of Ocean Dr., near Pine Beach Inn sign; walk through shore pines to part of Jug Handle State Natural Reserve. No facilities.
JEFFERSON WAY: W. of Hwy. One, 1.8 mi. N. of Caspar Creek. At west end of Jefferson Way, trails lead to pocket beaches within Jug Handle State Natural Reserve.
JUG HANDLE STATE NATURAL RESERVE: E. and W. of Hwy. One, 1 mi. N. of Caspar Creek. Sandy cove beach; trails lead inland to unusual pygmy forest. Call: 707-937-5804.
▪ Brochures for self-guided tour at the picnic area
JUGHANDLE CREEK FARM AND NATURE CENTER: E. of Hwy. One, .9 mi. N. of Caspar Creek. Nonprofit nature education center offers overnight stays in a red Victorian farmhouse, cabins, and a campground. Private rooms, with shared bathrooms and kitchens. Path to beach. The farmhouse, campground, and some trails are wheelchair accessible. Call: 707-964-4630.
CANTUS COVE: .1 mi. from Pacifica Dr. and Caspar Rd., Caspar. From Caspar Rd. walk west 200 yards to 45350 Pacifica Dr.; trail-head is unsigned. Head north past a split rail fence on your right and cypress grove on your left, then west to scenic overlook.
CASPAR CREEK VISTA POINT: W. side of Hwy. One at Caspar Creek. Southbound pull-out with views.
CASPAR HEADLANDS STATE BEACH: At Doyle Creek, off Pt. Cabrillo Dr., S. of Caspar. Sandy beach along Pt. Cabrillo Dr.; no facilities. Caspar Beach RV Park, on the inland side of Pt. Cabrillo Dr., offers RV and tent sites; convenience store, laundry, and hot showers. Call: 707-964-3306.
CASPAR HEADLANDS STATE NATURAL RESERVE: End of Headlands Dr. off S. Caspar Dr., S. of Caspar. Public shoreline is interspersed with private property; do not trespass. No facilities. Call: 707-937-5804.
POINT CABRILLO LIGHT STATION: Pt. Cabrillo Dr., 2 mi. N. of Mendocino. Restored lighthouse open daily, 11 AM–4 PM; grounds open sunrise–sunset. From visitor center and parking area, one-half-mile walk to the light station; those with special needs may park at the light station. Call: 707-937-6122.
RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK: E. and W. of Hwy. One, 2 mi. N. of Mendocino. Sandy beach with sea-level parking. East of Hwy. One are campgrounds, including sites for groups and equestrians. For camping reservations, call: 1-800-444-7275; reservations for equestrian sites available only through state parks district headquarters. Summertime reservations strongly recommended; campground closed from late October to early April. For park information, call: 707-937-5804.
▪ Rock fishing and diving
▪ Kayak launch spot
▪ Devil’s Punchbowl, a collapsed sea cave, surges with seawater at high tide
▪ Ten miles of trails, some open to bicyclists and equestrians
Mendocino County
Town of Mendocino
MENDOCINO HEADLANDS STATE PARK: Seaward of Mendocino, from Lansing St. and Heeser Dr. to Big River. The park is located on the ragged-edge marine terrace that surrounds the town of Mendocino on three sides. A trail winds along the bluffs, providing views of sea-stacks, tidepools, and sandy beaches below. At the west end of Main St., a path leads onto a promontory where a blowhole is located; stairs lead down to small, south-facing sandy Portuguese Beach. Never turn your back on the ocean; sleeper waves can reach higher on the rocks than you might expect.
The visitor center at the historic Ford House has maps, books, and displays; open daily. Docent-led walks are available; picnic tables and restrooms are nearby. Another restroom is located on the north side of the Mendocino Headland, on Heeser Dr. near the Cypress Grove. Call: 707-937-5804. Mendocino has many buildings of historic and architectural interest.
▪ The Masonic Hall on Lansing St., built in 1865, is topped by an enigmatic sculpture carved from a single block of redwood
▪ The Temple of Kwan Tai on Albion St., built as early as 1867, served early Chinese settlers
▪ The Mendocino Art Center on Little Lake St. hosts galleries, performances, garden tours, and more; call: 707-937-5818
BIG RIVER BEACH: S. of Mendocino. A broad white sandy beach, part of Mendocino Headlands State Park, extends along the north bank of Big River. The main access is east of Hwy. One; boats can be launched at the far end of the parking area. A beach wheelchair is available; call: 707-937-5804. Big River Beach can also be reached west of Hwy. One on foot via a stairway south of the historic Presbyterian Church.
Some 7,300 acres of the Big River watershed, much of it formerly logged, have been added to Mendocino Headlands State Park. An old logging road, now a trail, departs the east end of the parking lot at Big River Beach. Hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers permitted; no motor vehicles. For information on summertime guided walks led by Mendocino Land Trust docents, call: 707-962-0470.
▪ Boating
▪ Fishing
▪ Wildlife viewing
▪ The mouth of Big River is sometimes a good surfing spot
MENDOCINO BAY OVERLOOK: Off Road 500B, W. of Hwy. One, S. of Mendocino. Path to overlook is marked by a brown sign; roadside parking. Fine views of the town of Mendocino from the grassy bluff. Road 500B is also known as Brewery Gulch Road. Additional roadside vista points are farther south along Brewery Gulch Road.
Mendocino County
Van Damme to Navarro River
PATHS TO SHORELINE: Hwy. One at Gordon Lane, 1.5 mi. S. of Mendocino. A trail, part of Van Damme State Park, starts at Hwy. One at dirt parking area opposite Gordon Lane. A second trail starts at a fence opening 200 feet north of Peterson-Headlands Ln.; park on the south side of Peterson-Headlands Ln., just off Hwy. One.
VAN DAMME STATE PARK: E. and W. of Hwy. One at Little River, 3 mi. S. of Mendocino. No-fee beach parking is west of Hwy. One. Inland of the highway are a picnic area, visitor center, and camping facilities, including family sites, hike or bike sites, a group campground, and environmental sites reached by trail. Campground open all year; for reservations, call 1-800-444-7275. Enroute campsites are available in the beach parking lot. Fee charged for camping and park day use. Call: 707-937-5804.
▪ Visitor center open weekends, year round
▪ Hiking trail through Fern Canyon
▪ Divers and kayakers enjoy easy equipment transport from sea-level parking area
▪ Self-guided, wheelchair-accessible pygmy forest trail is off Little River Rd., east of the county airport
LITTLE RIVER BLOWHOLE TRAIL: W. of Hwy. One, N. of Little River cemetery. Trail starts at north fenceline of cemetery and leads to giant sinkhole. Stay back from the edge.
DARK GULCH BEACH: Hwy. One, Dark Gulch. Limited roadside parking (southbound) at milepost 45.24 along tall wooden fence; walk seaward between low fences to sand-and-cobble beach.
ALBION RIVER BEACH: Albion flats, W. of Albion River Campground. Park near the Albion River Campground café, then walk under the bridge to sandy river beach. Albion River Campground offers RV and tent camping, rest-rooms with showers, and boat launch. Fees for camping or day use; no charge for pedestrians headed for Albion River Beach. Call: 707-937-0606. The separate Schooner’s Landing Campground offers RV camping, boat launch and dock, and picnicking; call: 707-937-5707.
NAVARRO BLUFFLANDS TRAIL: Off Hwy. One, N. of Navarro Ridge Road. Half-mile-long trail starts at milepost 42.5; roadside parking. No beach access. Call: 707-962-0470.
NAVARRO POINT PRESERVE: Off Hwy. One, 1.7 mi. N. of the junction of Hwy. 128. Mile-long loop trail starts at parking area at milepost 41.83. Call: 707-962-0470.
NAVARRO BEACH: W. end of Navarro Beach Road. Wide sandy beach strewn with driftwood. Picnic area and RV campsites; no water available. Call: 707-937-5804.
▪ Visitor center planned in historic Navarro-by-the-Sea structure
NAVARRO RIVER REDWOODS STATE PARK: Hwy. 128, 2 mi. E. of the junction of Hwy. One. Pull-outs along Hwy. 128 provide access to the banks of the Navarro River. On Hwy. 128 eight miles east of Hwy. One is the Paul Dimmick Campground, which also has day-use picnic areas in a redwood grove along the river. Call: 707-937-5804.
Mendocino County
Elk to Manchester State Park
GREENWOOD STATE BEACH: Hwy. One at Greenwood Creek, Elk. Picnic area is on the bluff. An old road leads down to the sandy beach, where there are additional picnic tables. Day use only. Call: 707-937-5804.
▪ Beach is popular kayak launch site; visitors roll small boats on carts down the road
▪ Greenwood Beach Visitor Center and Museum has an eclectic collection of historic artifacts and is open on weekends, 11 AM–1 PM
▪ North of Elk on Hwy. One at milepost 37.0 is Peg and John Frankel Trail, one-third-mile long and part of California Coastal Trail
MALLO PASS CREEK VISTA POINT: W. of Hwy. One, .2 mi. N. of Irish Beach subdivision. Paved parking with coastal views.
ALDER CREEK BEACH: End of Alder Creek Beach Rd., W. of Hwy. One, 7 mi. N. of Point Arena. Alder Creek Beach Rd. is at Hwy. One milepost 22.48; road closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians. Steep path to the northern end of Manchester State Park. Day use only. Call: 707-882-2463.
▪ Horseback riding on the beach
MANCHESTER STATE PARK: W. of Hwy. One, from Alder Creek to just N. of Pt. Arena. The state park includes more than three miles of driftwood-strewn sandy shoreline. From Hwy. One, the park can be reached on Alder Creek, Kinney, and Stoneboro roads. Main entrance is on Kinney Rd., where there are day-use and camping facilities.
A picnic area is at the end of the road, along with restrooms and a quarter-mile flat trail to the beach. Restrictions on beach use may be in effect during the breeding season of snowy plovers. Call: 707-882-2463.
The campground offers tent and RV camping and a hike or bike site. Fire pits, chemical toilets, running water, RV dump station; no showers. RVs up to 30 feet allowed; trailers up to 22 feet. One mile east of the main park entrance are an additional nine primitive walk-in sites. Dogs on leash allowed in the campground; horses not permitted. Fee for camping.
▪ Fishing for steelhead in Brush Creek and Alder Creek; check Dept. of Fish and Wildlife regulations
MANCHESTER BEACH KOA: Off Kinney Rd., E. of Manchester State Park. Privately operated facility, including 135 campsites for tents or RVs (some with partial or full hookups), cabins and cottages, showers, swimming pool, volleyball, disc golf, game room, and laundry. For reservations, call: 1-800-562-4188. For information, call: 707-882-2375.
STONEBORO ROAD: End of Stoneboro Rd., W. of Hwy. One, 4.5 mi. N. of Point Arena. Dirt parking area; path leads through dunes to the beach. Day use only. Part of Manchester State Park; for information, call: 707-882-2463.
Mendocino County
Point Arena to Hearn Gulch
POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE: End of Lighthouse Rd., W. of Hwy. One. The 115-foot-tall lighthouse was built in 1870. Panoramic views from the top; guided tours available. Open daily, 10:00 AM–3:30 PM (until 4:30 PM during the summer); closed on major holidays. The visitor center and gift shop are wheelchair accessible. Call: 707-882-2809.
▪ Popular place to spot migrating gray whales, November–early May
▪ Lodging available on site
POINT ARENA HEADLAND: 2 mi. N. of Point Arena, W. of Hwy. One. Two miles of shoreline surrounding Point Arena Lighthouse are managed by the Bureau of Land Management. There is access to the shoreline from Lighthouse Rd., 1.3 miles from Hwy. One. Additional access to public lands on the east side of Lighthouse Rd. is immediately outside the lighthouse entry gate. Motor vehicles, bicycles, and camping are prohibited. Call: 707-468-4000. The headland is a planned addition to the California Coastal National Monument, which comprises small islands, reefs, and rocks.
▪ Hiking
▪ Equestrian use
▪ Wildlife observation
GARCIA RIVER ACCESS: 2.4 mi. N. of Point Arena, W. of Hwy. One. Unimproved Miner Hole Rd. leads from Hwy. One to a turn-around on the south bank of the river. A half-hidden path leads to the riverbank. No facilities.
ARENA COVE: End of Iversen Ave./Port Rd., 1 mi. W. of Hwy. One, Point Arena. Pier has a boat hoist and fish cleaning tables. Call: 707-882-2583.
▪ Pier fishing
▪ Restaurants and lodging are adjacent
MOAT CREEK BEACH: W. of Hwy. One, 2 mi. S. of Point Arena. Short trail to a rocky beach; a separate loop trail leads south from the parking area along the bluff. Day use only.
BOWLING BALL BEACH: W. of Hwy. One, 3.7 mi. S. of Point Arena. Located midway between Moat Creek Beach and Schooner Gulch Beach, with no direct public access of its own. At low tide, walk north along the shoreline from Schooner Gulch State Beach.
▪ During minus tides, round rocks and straight grooves like bowling lanes make a great photo opportunity
SCHOONER GULCH STATE BEACH: W. of Hwy. One at Schooner Gulch Rd., 3.8 mi. S. of Point Arena. Park on the shoulder of Hwy. One, southbound, opposite Schooner Gulch Road. Trail leads to the beach. Day use only. Call: 707-937-5804.
▪ Picnicking
▪ Fishing
▪ Surfing
OVERLOOK: W. of Hwy. One, milepost 10.52. Paved parking; fine views.
HEARN GULCH: W. of Hwy. One, N. of Iversen Rd., 5.5 mi. N. of Anchor Bay. Roadside pull-out at Hwy. One milepost 10.0. Steep trail to a white-sand beach.
▪ Launch spot for experienced kayakers and divers
▪ Saunders Reef offshore is a popular surfing destination
Mendocino County
Anchor Bay to Gualala
FISH ROCK BEACH: At Anchor Bay Campground, .2 mi. N. of town of Anchor Bay. Public beach access and camping are available at the privately owned Anchor Bay Campground. The sandy beach has scattered rocks and tidepools. The campground has 30 overnight sites with picnic tables and firepits; most have water hookups, and some have electrical hookups. Coin-operated showers, fish-cleaning house, and a dive-gear wash area. Fee for day use or camping. Call: 707-884-4222.
▪ Fishing
▪ Abalone diving
▪ Trail climbs the bluff to the village of Anchor Bay
COLLINS LANDING: At Serenisea Lodge, 1.7 mi. S. of town of Anchor Bay. Steep trail and stairs are at the north end of the Serenisea Lodge. Public use of the accessway requires the permission of the Serenisea Lodge management; the lodge office, open 9 AM–8 PM daily, adjacent to the accessway. For information, call: 707-884-3836.
ST. ORRES CREEK: Hwy. One, 2.5 mi. N. of Gualala. A very steep, unimproved path at St. Orres Creek leads down to a cove beach, starting on the road shoulder at milepost 3.30.
BONHAM TRAIL TO COOK’S BEACH: Hwy. One, milepost 3.10, 2.3 mi. N. of Gualala. The beach is accessible from the northern end of the old Coast Highway frontage road, signed CR 526, opposite the onion-domed St. Orres Inn. Nice blufftop views of the beach. A path leads downhill to the sandy cove known as Cook’s Beach, with abundant driftwood. Limited shoulder parking; no facilities. Call: 707-884-4426.
GUALALA RIVER: W. of Hwy. One at Gualala. Access to the river mouth is available from Gualala Point Regional Park on the south bank of the river.
GUALALA BLUFF TRAIL: Hwy. One, at Gualala. A path runs along the bluff on the river side of Gualala’s commercial strip; benches and picnic tables are along the trail. Park in town; pedestrian access from Hwy. One is via the driveway through the Surf Motel or through the Sea Cliff Center complex. For information, call: 707-884-4426.
▪ Lovely views of the Gualala River mouth
▪ River otters can sometimes be spotted cavorting on the beach below
South Kibesillah Gulch View Area
Old timber haul road spanning Pudding Creek
Point Cabrillo headlands, view north
Mendocino Headlands State Park, Cypress Grove
Manchester State Park, Kinney Road entrance
View from Garcia River toward Point Arena Lighthouse
