Introduction:
What? : Mendocino
is a coastal small town, a prime tourist destination in northern California
coast. The town can be your basecamp for few days, see and explore all nearby
attractions.
Additional Nearby attractions:
- Russian Gulch State Park
- Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
- Skunk Train roundtrip from Fort Bragg to inland Northspur
- MacKerricher State Park
- Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park.
- Little River State Park
- Van Damme Beach State Park
- Point Arena Lighthouse
Where? : located
on the north coast of California, located 155 miles north of San Francisco, at
list 3 and a half hours drive, plan for much longer drive, but with a lot more
to see, if you are taking the longer and slower highway 1 road.
Google Map Link
Due note 1: Mendocino
is a popular destination year-round. It can be very crowded and pack with
tourists.
Due note 2: At
main st. Chevron gas station I paid the highest gas price ever 6.20 $/G
Fill your car
gas at the nearby Fort Bragg.
My thoughts: A small picturesque town that is a must stop at your way on highway 1. Visit the small town (only few streets with stores and restaurants) and visit the nearby ocean cliff park.
The visit:
Perfectly
located on the headlands and ocean cliffs this scenic town with its New England
look and slow-going vibes, surrounded from it three ocean sides by the Mendocino
Headlands State Park.
Visit the small
downtown and old buildings, hike to the ocean cliffs viewpoints, blowholes, sea
arches, grottos, and explore the tide pools as you hike the beaches and cliff
trails.
Mendocino Bay Overlook:
Providing a
breathtaking panoramic view, the historic town of Mendocino Village, the mouth
of Big River, and the Pacific. Located south of town, cross the Big River
Bridge and take the first exit to your right.
Mendocino Headlands State Park:
This blend of gentle trails, rugged coastline, secluded beaches surrounds the town of Mendocino on three sides.
Three miles of trails wind along the cliffs,
spectacular views of sea arches and hidden grottos.
The park’s
visitor center and a museum of local history are in the 19th-century Ford House,
located on Main Street.
You can access the park from many locations in Mendocino, for a full 3-4 miles hike that will take you out to the Bluffs Trail following the cliff line.
You do not need to hike it all, take a trail from the town south side, reach the cliff and hike as you want, once you had enough walk back to the town.
Mendocino Woodlands State Park (did
not visit here):
The Park is a
National Historic Landmark built in the 1930s and is nestled in 700 acres of
redwood trees, ferns, and glades along both sides of the Little North Fork of
the Big River in Northern California, Twenty-five miles of hiking trails in and
around the Park, an open meadow, large beaver pond and more.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=443
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/443/files/MendoWoodlandsSPWebLayout2013.pdf
Glass Beach:
At Fort Bragg
you can find three glass beaches, all former city trash dump sites (From 1906
to 1967), that are layered with beautiful sea glass. Snap a photo but leave the
glass behind for others to discover.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
(did not visit here):
Mendocino Coast
Botanical Gardens offers everything from colorful floral displays to thunderous
waves. Located north of Mendocino 7.4 miles on hwy 1.
Skunk Train Railbikes (did not
visit here):
Located in the
nearby Fort Bragg town center, this is activity involve with “bike” that are going
on old train tracks. Looks like this is 250$ per bike (2 people)!
https://www.skunktrain.com/railbikes/
www:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=442
Map:
https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/432/files/RussianGulchMendoHdldVanDammeFinalWebLayout2017.pdf
Pictures:
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