Incredible, magnificent part of the California Coast. Do not miss this amazing place! Very easily…read morewalkable.

In 2005 title to the Stornetta Ranch, which meets the Pacific Ocean, was transferred to the Bureau…read moreof Land Management to ensure its long-term protection & provide accessibility to the public. This translates into expanding the California Coastal National Monument to 1665 acres, with 12 coastal miles of undeveloped federal- & state-managed public land. A vast open space to hike & enjoy the rugged cliffs, & view the sea rocks, islands, blowholes, dunes, tide pools, & waves during daylight hours. Public privileges like nowhere I know of. Locals said it's never crowded. Tourists wouldn't necessarily know about it unless they studied up on the purpose & meaning of "Point Arena ~ Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument." If you google it, there is a dozen interesting articles tracing the history & significance.

I went out to the light house but parked outside the gate. Beautiful scenery and view of…read morelighthouse. Grounds look nice and clean. Ample parking inside and outside the main gate. Views of the oceans and lighthouse. I had my dogs with me and they needed to run. I'm confident the light house and grounds are just as spectacular inside the complex as they looked from outside the gates.

A wonderful place to spend time! We stayed at the lodging…read morehere for 3 days last year. Highly recommend that as well! After closing the entire place is yours! You can chill with the lighthouse cat or explore with flashlights under the moon. During our stay we went to the top of the lighthouse many times.. it's a quite few steps but worth it! The gift shop is also cool! We went home with a shirt and a magnet. Although the need for this lighthouse is no longer, it still works and is magnificent as is the whole park! Complete with rocky cliffs and a labyrinth by the sea.

Clean and beautiful little winery off the beaten path. Wine here is good. I had their wine tasting…read moreand they have a good pinot noir and a good chard. they are a sister company w/ Justin wine and that is why i chose this place. Recommended if you like a lil' historic bldg to enjoy a nice wine tasting with a nice patio or grass area to picnic in.

THIS is the location to go to if you want a true Russian River experience, limited crowds, locals…read moresharing their passion for not only the wine you're drinking but also the wine down the road. Never a disappointing glass or view, with a prettier drive than you could ask for regardless of the time of year

Beautiful theater, comfy seats. Shows a mixture of New Releases, and classics…read more We liked the old & huge movie camera in the lobby. Bring cash it's easier! Cards are accepted. Great selection of movies, and 1 day only specials.

Glad to be back to the movies!…read more Firstly, the arena theaters Covid safety protocols are on point! Every other row of seating is taped off to ensure social distancing.** An usher will escort you to your seat upon entering. You can grab concessions after you've been seated. I indulged in a large tub of popcorn (half the fun of movie theaters right??!) and was happily surprised to find they have individual nutritional yeast containers- along with the usual salt & butter- available to top off your popcorn! Overall, the experience made me very happy to return to viewing movies in theater! Looking forward to returning soon. **TIP: Get there early if you are particular about your seat selection, as the limited capacity means larger parties may be split up once the theater fills!

Landmark wines came highly recommended by a friend, so I decided to check it out this weekend with…read moremy in laws when they were in town. We enjoyed a fabulous afternoon tasting at the winery- Emily guided us through our tasting and made us feel so welcome. They even welcomed our dog, which was really kind. The Pinot noirs there are really wonderful- if you do the tasting, you will get to try a few different ones to compare.. I won't say my favorite but you should try them all and see what you think! Oh and also, the grounds are beautifully well kept- look at the gorgeous flowers at the front as you walk in!

Generous pours, dedicated service and breathtaking environment. A bit on the pricey side, but they…read moreall are in this area. Some items on the menu were not longer available.

Pier Review While…read moreplanning our visit to Pt Arena we had heard/read that the pier/harbor area was a "must visit." We actually planned to make it our first stop here at Pt Arena, as we'd Yelped a coffee shop here at the Pier that had amazing reviews but upon our arrival we were saddened that it had closed down and all that greeted us was a small pack of "fisherman" that were all on their 3rd Coors® Light by 0800... o_0 The Good: *Nice views of the ocean and some nearby cliffs. *Waters are calm enough for kayaking, surfing and diving. *I'm guessing you can charter a boat to go kill some fish. *There's a family of sea otters that lives here. Saw them too late to take a pic, tho... :( The Meh: *Most of the shops at the Pier have closed and, judging by the lack of activity, the rest will most likely follow suit. *This place has def seen better days, as all the surrounding buildings are not only mostly empty but in pretty bad shape. The Ugly: *On two separate visits this place was completely dead. Curious onlookers would stop-by have a peek and then bounce after a few minutes. I know because we decided to kill 1.5hrs there while we waited for our tour at the local animal preserve. *Quite frankly, this place is just plain boooring. Normally at a pier I'd have a blast doing street photography but after 30min here I wanted to hang myself out of depression. TLDR: Probably OK if you're going to out fishing or some other nonsense, but for the rest of us that just want to have a gander this place is a hard pass.

Unfortunately most of the existing businesses were closed at or near the pier when we went. We were…read morethere for sunset though and the views didn't disappoint! While we were there, we played in the area, climbed the trees and the hill nearby. Tranquil and fun with the family.

One of the magical places on the Mendocino coast. Cabrillo Lighthouse Station has been on the north…read morewestern shore for over 100 years. The Fresnel lens of the lamp make this lighhouse a special one as these types are rarely used any more and are disappearing. Restored and maintained, this facility is opened daily at 11:00 and the grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. It's a popular spot for whale watching (Nov-Apr) as well as exploring the rugged coastline, including the site of the Frolic shipwreck from 1850. The lighthouse was damaged and flooded in January of 2023 when a series of high waves from the storm crashed through the buildings ocean side doors. Making it a part of the storm history of this lighthouse, which had been only hit with waves ever on two other occasions, December of 1928 and February of 1960. The grounds are dog friendly, on leash. The lighthouse staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The lighthouse museum is free to enter. Donations are encouraged and welcomed. We spent about two hours there reading the local history inside the museum, which there is a lot and exploring the lighthouse and outside grounds. 4.5 Stars rounded up for the spectacular views 01199

To get to this lighthouse it's about a mile walk from the parking lot. I'm all for walking and…read morehiking but that could be a dealbreaker for some just wanting to swing by and see it. The background is beautiful and there is lots of room for photos of the ocean. The lighthouse is quite small but has a little gift shop inside. Tours up to the lens are a couple of times a month. Before the lighthouse there's a little compound with the old keepers' quarters which you can walk into and check out. If in the Mendocino/Fort Bragg area and only time for one lighthouse I think this one is better for being closer to town (Point Arena is about an hour drive) and for available trails to go on a walk after the lighthouse. If you want something more of a tall statuesque lighthouse where there are tours throughout the day to the top and you don't have to walk a mile from the car I'd recommend Point Arena.

One of the most iconic bridges on the Mendocino coast. This state park is below the route 1. There…read moreis a large parking lot with direct access to the rivers mouth, sandy beachs and open nature. Also, a maintained restroom. We stopped for a while to take in the incredible views, walk on the waters edge and get a better look at the gulch bridge overhead. This special place is unique in its direct access to the river and area, and most just drive over the bridge without ever realizing the park is just below. This is a hidden gem on the Mendocino coastline and worth seeking it out and exploring a bit. 4.5 Stars rounded up for the direct water access 01190

I get up to Mendocino about every 5 years and always make a point to hike in Russian Gulch State…read morePark. The fern canyon and waterfall loop is a favorite and depending on the season, you can see various mushrooms, wildflowers and foliage. In the spring, the kiosk is staffed and the gate to access the campgrounds and the small lot for Fern Canyon is open. There are a few spots closer to the trailhead but more in the main lots outside the campground (which adds about half a mile to your hike.) See my previous review for more about the Fern Canyon, waterfall loop hike. You can also head down to the beach to get a view of the bridge that traverses Highway 1 and some beautiful rocky shoreline. It's pretty special that you can visit the redwoods and the coast all in one beautiful park. A must do when visiting Mendocino.

My wife and I booked the 25 mile Noyo River rail cart excursion and it was an amazing and fun…read moreexperience. Our guides, Travis and Atlas, provided an educational and interactive experience. At the same time, they gave us our space to explore and just take in the beauty of the redwood forest. I do recommend dressing in layers as the morning half of the ride was cold and the return trip was warmer than expected. Bring gloves if you plan to be the driver because your hands will be exposed to the cold morning air due to controlling the speed of the electric assist controls. Make sure to use the bathroom before you leave. The only stop with a bathroom was at Camp Noyo, which is 12.5 miles from the start. It took my group of 3 rail bikes about 2 hours to get there. Don't be scared of the 25 miles because the electric assist made it an easy ride. I think we were able to pedal, with the assist on, for 90% of the trip. We used the full electric option for about 3-5 minutes total because we wanted to relax our legs. Overall, I recommend the experience, especially if you like being outdoors and surrounded by nature.

I've made the trip up to Fort Bragg several times over the last 10 years and had always seen the…read moreads and signs for the Skunk Train. With the full length of the tracks not currently open to Willits, it didn't seem worth it to partake in the shorter train rides. However, once I learned about the rail bikes, I was in! There are two options for the rail bikes. The shorter, two hour excursion is to Glen Briar from their downtown Fort Bragg Depot (the Pudding Creek route) is about 7 miles round trip. If you want a full day adventure, there's the Noyo route which is 25 miles and departs from Sherwood road and is noted as a more stenous excursion. Given I was short on time, I opted for the Pudding Creek route. However, I would definitely do the rail bikes again and try the Noyo route. For the Pudding Creek route, we arrived about 15 minutes before our 10 am departure time. There's a small lot for guests and a short walk over to where the bikes are. Instructions are easy to follow and the staff is amazingly helpful and thorough. With the motor assist, pedaling along the rails was rather mellow. At the end of the line, we stopped at a scenic pavilion in the redwoods and had the option of a short guided hike or to just chill and enjoy the picnic area. I had time to do both and it was a really enjoyable way to spend the morning. There's a basket on the front of each bike to store your backpacks and drink holders for your water bottles. Back at the depot, there's a cute gift shop and behind it, a model train exhibit that was pretty cool. I love a good kitschy attraction and this was a fun, touristy thing to do while visiting the area. I enjoyed it so much, that I do wish the route was longer (hence my hope to go back and do the longer Noyo trip.) Sure, it's pricey, but if you can swing the cost, come in with the right expectations and you'll have a fun day, while also learning a bit more about the area from your guides.

Gorgeous day trip during good weather! If you're lucky you can see the ocean during a clear day…read morebut most times, there's a fog blanket. Beautiful lighthouse and view from the top. You can go down a ton of steps to see and learn about the lighthouse. Make sure to stop by Marin French Cheese Company on the way and bring a picnic of cheese, sandwiches to snack on. It's pretty windy down there too so bring layers and a jacket. You can explore the adjacent trails and do some hiking too. Definitely will get some Insta worthy photos!

The Point Reyes Lighthouse contains the ORIGINAL first order Fresnel lens and clockworks that were…read moreon display at the 1867 World Fair in Paris. Not just a replica, but the actual model that was actually on display in Paris. The best time to see the inside of the lighthouse (where the lens and clockworks reside) is typically on weekends between 10am-noon and 1:30-3:30pm, but only in winds under 40mph, and (ideally), when it's not foggy. (Check the park website or call for current hours, which may fluctuate.) During these hours, rangers and volunteers are often around to answer questions, give educational talks, and sell merchandise. For safety reasons, the lighthouse and stairs are always closed to the public when the winds exceed 40mph-- which happens often. This is the windiest spot on the west coast. When you check the wind online, the results come from a weather station miles away from the lighthouse. Wind speeds may be much higher at the actual lighthouse than what you see online. To avoid wasting gas and time, you can always call the park visitor center (after 10am) to ask about the winds for that day. The Point Reyes lighthouse parking lot sits about a quarter mile away from the viewing platform above the lighthouse. This portion of the trail is accessible. There is also a closer accessible lot for those with handicapped placards. From the viewing platform, it's 313 stairs plus two steep slopes (of about 100 feet each) down to the actual lighthouse. The reason the lighthouse sits so low below the viewing platform is because the heavy fog that plagues the area is often just above this level. So, it's essentially below fog level-- except for when it's not. For those circumstances, there are foghorns. The modern foghorns are controlled by the coast guard, and are not on display. However, a large equipment-building-turned-museum, which sits at the same level as the lighthouse, houses several of the historic horns and air compressors, along with a few interpretive signs. In my personal opinion, the lighthouse could use a lot more pictures and interpretive signs. I personally think that it would be cool if these were plastered all over the inside of the lighthouse, like they are in Heceta. Is it worth the 313 stairs to see the lighthouse? I am the wrong person to answer this question, since, for me, the stairs have always been my main motivation for visiting. I would climb these stairs just for fun, and I've done so many times. And yes, I bought one of the "I survived the climb!" stickers from the visitor center at the top of the stairs, which is typically open the same hours as the lighthouse. The lens itself is pretty chipped up, but still beautiful to look at. I'm not sure if the chips are due to the weather, historic vandalism, or routine maintenance. What I do know is that the glass is technically irreplaceable. The original glass was made by French artisans in the 1800s. The modern replacement glass is manufactured in England, from different sand, which is apparently a different color and clarity than the original. Typically speaking, even when on display, the lighthouse is not rotated, and the curtains are kept mostly closed. Some people (me) might argue that it's deceptive to call it "fully functional" or claim that it's "in working order." That being said, the clockworks (a cabinet full of gears, pulleys, and cables) is pretty cool too see. It looks like a giant nineteenth century wind-up toy. The park keeps it painted, polished, and well-maintained. National Lighthouse Day is coming up on August 7th. Historically, including last year, the park has operated the lighthouse for this event. I haven't seen anything online about it yet, but maybe they'll celebrate this year, too. The nearest gas and food to the lighthouse are about thirty minutes away, so make sure you plan for that ahead of time. Chimney Rock is a short drive away. Drake's Beach (including the Ken Patrick visitor center), North Beach, South Beach, and the Cypress tree tunnel are all passed on the road between the lighthouse and Inverness, so if you plan right, you could definitely knock all of those sights out in one day. If you're a real overachiever, you could also add Tomales Point/Pierce Point Ranch to the same day, as the road to these destinations is between the lighthouse and Point Reyes Station.