Shalyn's Guidebook
Sightseeing
A beautiful, educational walk down to the Lighthouse. There's harbor seals in the bay to the south of the Lighthouse, and it's a great place to look for migrating whales. The staff who work on sight are super friendly.
28 locals recommend
Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
13800 Point Cabrillo DrA beautiful, educational walk down to the Lighthouse. There's harbor seals in the bay to the south of the Lighthouse, and it's a great place to look for migrating whales. The staff who work on sight are super friendly.
My favorite sandy beach. It's dog friendly, and the North cliff provides a lot of protection from the wind. Lots of surfers frequent the beach and it's great for boogie hoarding, sand boarding, sand castles, long beach walks, and kayaking. There's even a rental place located on the South side of the bridge. The easiest access is the River side, which is the first right past the bridge when traveling north on highway 1. For the beach, park behind the church and gas station in downtown Mendocino. There are quite a few steps at this access.
33 locals recommend
Big River Beach at Mendocino Headlands State Park
My favorite sandy beach. It's dog friendly, and the North cliff provides a lot of protection from the wind. Lots of surfers frequent the beach and it's great for boogie hoarding, sand boarding, sand castles, long beach walks, and kayaking. There's even a rental place located on the South side of the bridge. The easiest access is the River side, which is the first right past the bridge when traveling north on highway 1. For the beach, park behind the church and gas station in downtown Mendocino. There are quite a few steps at this access.
This one is worth the drive nortb of Fort Bragg. The boardwalk is wheelchair friendly with great lookout spots. There's access down to a beach and tide pools as well. Watch your food with the sneaky squirrels and seagulls. There's commonly a ranger or state park employee there to give educational talks. The waves on the beach by the parking lot get quite big, be careful with children and dogs.
51 locals recommend
MacKerricher State Park
24100 Mackerricher Park RdThis one is worth the drive nortb of Fort Bragg. The boardwalk is wheelchair friendly with great lookout spots. There's access down to a beach and tide pools as well. Watch your food with the sneaky squirrels and seagulls. There's commonly a ranger or state park employee there to give educational talks. The waves on the beach by the parking lot get quite big, be careful with children and dogs.
Just past downtown Mendocino is the Headlands. There's many parking spots and different places to see. Great for whale watching and rock exploration. There's access to a few different beaches, the trails are not easy to access for children.
42 locals recommend
Mendocino Headlands State Park
Just past downtown Mendocino is the Headlands. There's many parking spots and different places to see. Great for whale watching and rock exploration. There's access to a few different beaches, the trails are not easy to access for children.
The closest beach from our place. It's easy access and there's a Kayak Excursion that's based out of the parking lot. There are a lot of rangers keeping a look out, so keep your dogs on a leash.
There's a trail that starts less than a mile from our place at the Pygmy Forest Discovery Trail, and ends at the Van Damme Campgrounds and then to Van Damme Beach across the highway. The trail down has a bike choice or a walking trail. The Discovery Trail is a very short boardwalk look with wild huckleberries.
23 locals recommend
Van Damme State Park
8001 CA-1The closest beach from our place. It's easy access and there's a Kayak Excursion that's based out of the parking lot. There are a lot of rangers keeping a look out, so keep your dogs on a leash.
There's a trail that starts less than a mile from our place at the Pygmy Forest Discovery Trail, and ends at the Van Damme Campgrounds and then to Van Damme Beach across the highway. The trail down has a bike choice or a walking trail. The Discovery Trail is a very short boardwalk look with wild huckleberries.
At just 0.6 miles from the property, the Pygmy Forest is am interesting visit. The soil here is very acidic and it stunts the growth of the Redwoods, pines, and Rhododendrons (great for an airport though). The informational boardwalk is an easy ¼ loop and handicap accessible. If you happen to visit August-September you can snack on the Huckleberries that grow along the path.
For a longer and more challenging hike or bike, you can take the Fern Canyon Trail. At just over 4 miles, you can make a loop with the Old Logging Trail road that drops 350 ft, then climbs it back up 350 ft.
This same trail will take you all the way to Van-Damme State Park Campground and Beach if you continue down for a one-way, 5 mile hike or bike ride.
The Fern Canyon is gorgeous and follows a stream over several bridges and crossings. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on this trail.
6 locals recommend
Pygmy Forest Discovery Trail
Van Damme State ParkAt just 0.6 miles from the property, the Pygmy Forest is am interesting visit. The soil here is very acidic and it stunts the growth of the Redwoods, pines, and Rhododendrons (great for an airport though). The informational boardwalk is an easy ¼ loop and handicap accessible. If you happen to visit August-September you can snack on the Huckleberries that grow along the path.
For a longer and more challenging hike or bike, you can take the Fern Canyon Trail. At just over 4 miles, you can make a loop with the Old Logging Trail road that drops 350 ft, then climbs it back up 350 ft.
This same trail will take you all the way to Van-Damme State Park Campground and Beach if you continue down for a one-way, 5 mile hike or bike ride.
The Fern Canyon is gorgeous and follows a stream over several bridges and crossings. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on this trail.
25 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. Of the trails, 8 are easy, 11 intermediate, and 3 difficult.
10 locals recommend
Jackson State Forest
802 N Main St25 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. Of the trails, 8 are easy, 11 intermediate, and 3 difficult.
Food Scene
Upscale Restaurant with spectacular view. It's on the second story and has a beautiful deck.
19 locals recommend
Flow | Restaurant & Lounge
45040 Main StUpscale Restaurant with spectacular view. It's on the second story and has a beautiful deck.
Little River Inn Restaurant
7901 CA-1Delicious food, amazing sunset views.
Great pub food and bar. Although they serve food, under 21 not allowed.
45 locals recommend
Patterson's Pub
10485 Lansing StGreat pub food and bar. Although they serve food, under 21 not allowed.
Kid Friendly
Great experience for the kids. Book this ahead of time as they do sell out. Special holiday rides available, like Easter Egg Hunt and a Pumpkin Patch visit. Dog friendly too.
65 locals recommend
Skunk Train
100 W Laurel StGreat experience for the kids. Book this ahead of time as they do sell out. Special holiday rides available, like Easter Egg Hunt and a Pumpkin Patch visit. Dog friendly too.
Great place to visit if it's raining or a rare hot day.
11 locals recommend
C.V. Starr Community Center
300 S Lincoln StGreat place to visit if it's raining or a rare hot day.