Great trails, lots of photo opportunities, dog friendly for leashed dogs, pick up after your dogs…read more Brush yourself off if you go off the trails, there are ticks, brush your dogs off too. Lots of wild flowers, some deer, ground squirrels, tons of birds, seals and sea lions. So much to explore.

If these views could talk, they'd literally be screaming. That's what I was doing deep down inside…read moreas I walked along this scenic coastal trail. Those views are simply breathtaking. You can easily spend your entire day here and never get bored. This trail goes on for miles on end right alongside the beautiful Mendocino coastline. The official parking lot is the one right across from Glass Beach, but there are actually several different access points to this trail. I started my hike from Mackerricher State Park and continued down until I reached Glass Beach. There's a paved pathway (also known as Haul Road) which runs along the coast and is great for a nice leisurely stroll. People with strollers and wheel chairs can easily navigate this paved path. And then, there's the actual coastal dirt path that literally hugs the coastline. This is the path I spent the most time on. You'll pass by tons of secluded pocket beaches and the most gorgeous tide pools along the dirt path. There's also a few up and downs, making this path a bit more adventurous than the flat paved one next to it. Access to the beaches down below are super easy from the trail minus the little bit of scrambling needed to actually get down there. You'll be hit with beautiful coastal views from every angle. It's pretty addictive actually. And the best part is that there are so many amazing little stop-offs along the way, many of them being super secluded. I was able to enjoy a few spots where I practically had the beach and the tide pools all to myself. Many people were wearing masks but a lot of people weren't. The good thing is, both paths are really easy to social distance on. If you're looking for a a beautiful place to hike or to take a leisurely stroll along the coastline, the Fort Bragg Coastal Trail is the one.

Beautiful and peaceful spot on the picturesque Mendocino coast. It is one of the least traveled…read morespots outside of locals. Great for shells, surfing and just getting some sun. Has an RV park close with a store. Probably my favorite spot to get away.

Fun exploring in the Caspar Headlands State. Dog friendly, leashes please. Lots of birds, seals,…read moredeer, and plants, moss and views. There were people fishing, playing in the sand and out in the water. Portable toilets available. Easy to access. Narrow road, small portion which was one lane, adequate parking.

One of my favorite go to stops when I visit Fort Bragg. Actually found this place on accident a…read morecouple years ago and now we always make a trip out we're when we're in the area.

Such a great little park, we did not get to spend as much time as we wanted to since we had to get…read moreto a restroom. But what we did see if it was pretty awesome, right in the middle of a neighborhood! I definitely want to come back one day. I don't know if they have public restrooms so I'd check ahead of time if you plan on visiting.

Big River State Park in Mendocino is absolutely stunning, one of those places where you're reminded…read morehow much nature is showing off along this coast. With the river winding through redwoods and opening out toward the ocean, the scenery feels almost unreal in its scale and beauty. There are trails everywhere, great spots for kayaking, hiking, or just sitting quietly and taking it all in. The whole Mendocino area is packed with parks, and this one is a standout for its grandeur and sense of peace. It really feels like a place to slow down and appreciate how incredible the natural world is.

I've visited Mendocino many times and somehow have never spent time at this wonderful (and free)…read morestate park. The entrance is off Highway 1, just outside Mendocino's shopping district and headlands. There are big wide beaches where the river meets the ocean which are visible right away. However, if you make a left at the bottom of the hill and drive a short ways to the end of the lot, there's a wonderful trail that meanders alongside the river. This former logging road is wide and gently graded (at least for the first 2.5 miles I walked on it.) It's great for bikes and more casual "hikes." It goes, I believe, about 7 miles inland so you can go as far as you'd like and turn around. It's a mellow journey and one more about the sites and sounds along the trail and the general peacefullness of the area, rather than a specific destination. You weave along the river and eventually in to the redwoods, where the water views become filtered through the trees. Along the way, we saw a few banana slugs and enjoyed a mostly shaded trail. I would love to come back with my bike and do the whole trail, end to end. The start of the trail had more people, which then tapered to just a few bikers and runners after the first mile or so. Seems to be a local's spot and they're very lucky to have it!

We had an absolutely magical time camping here last weekend. The park itself is rather easy to get…read moreto as soon as you get to the coast coming from the Bay. The Rangers were lovely, the site host was very kind, we stayed at site 27 which was shielded from the wind, they had clean bathrooms and showers, a camp fire program on Friday night and sold wood onsite. We got to do a lovely hike, hang out at the beach, go to the Noyo fish Company in Fort Brag... it was great! We were also warned about a black bear who had been visiting recently. But alas did not have an encounter. However, we did find raccoon hand prints all over our table cloth and bear box. So do use your bear box!!

Returned to Van Damm State Park for a second time and already looking forward to future visits…read more I've yet camped at the upper campsites. Only experienced the two lower loops closest to the entrance as well as the beach across the highway. It's an overall great campground. The only concern would be your neighbors and the mosquitos at sites that are along the creek. Most if not all sites are RV friendly. Anything larger than a mid-sized travel trailer, you might want to be selective. For trailers that are low profiled, stick to the lower loops to avoid scraping. Opted to never pull a trailer here because I'm not a fan of towing on highway 1. Typically, the host would drive around the campground delivering firewood at 12 dollars a bundle. Otherwise, they are available at the host's designated site.

There are endless breathtaking views along this stretch of Highway 1 in the Fort Bragg and…read moreMendocino areas, but not all of them offer you a place to take it in outside of the car....safely that is. This turned out to be such a one, and a convenient one at that, with just enough parking for us to squeeze into a space and go play in the sand. It turned out to be one of many cool spots we found last weekend on our extended weekend trip. What a cool beach this is! We were lucky to arrive in late afternoon, with overcast skies that made for a dramatic backdrop. I could have stayed here all day! This side of the road beach was a first time visit for me and I would definitely return. The bf climbed the boulder on the beach and thus was named King of the Rock. And there's nothing you girls can do about it. He wondered about climbing the boulder out in the ocean sometime and I said can you not? He is brave. I swoon. I noticed there were plenty of seashells among the seafoam and enjoyed looking at them while watching for incoming surf. If you are a dog there are an assortment of sticks for you to choose from. Two lorge logs were positioned on the beach for sitting, and we did have chairs we brought but didn't end up using them because we fancied some fresh beyond fresh seafood and didn't stay long enough for a heckin relax. Beware that the way you park determines if you'll be able to see who is coming around the corner when you're leaving. If you come in too fast and don't think about it, you won't be able to see crap when it's time to leave. Not that I did this or anything hahaha. There's not but a few feet between the parking spaces and the road. Don't worry, I was able to maneuver around another vehicle to exit safely, but had it been in a busy day in non rona times, that could have been ugly.

This is one of our favorite beaches when visiting the North Coast. It's a little harder to get to,…read morea little further way from where most people stay and very limited on parking, but it's a spacious, sandy getaway with plenty of glorious natural features. The beach is long and spacious, with majestic cliffs surrounding and "Whale Rock" at one end. The name is self-evident once you see it. My wife and I have taken long strolls with our son along the soft sand with the cold water lapping at our feet. It's an especially great spot for a picnic when the weather is right. During our last visit, we came on a weekday and virtually had the entire place to ourselves! There are some downsides, but I won't discount stars because the beach in itself is worth it. The biggest being the parking - a narrow strip of about ten spaces along a busy curvy road. If you can't find a spot here, which is usually the case if you don't come early, you'll be forced to find a spot further up the road in a culvert and hike back. Not the best situation, but again, the beach is wonderful!

We've been going to this beach since before I could remember! The sand is so soft, warm, and silky…read more When the tides are out, there is this hidden cove/arch way area which is so beautifully secluded & great for photo ops or being with nature. Further to the left side of the beach are various jagged, giant rocks with some little passage ways. Our family dubbed this beach as "Sunset Beach" because they are un-real at this beach. The best is to climb the hill on the right side of the beach, & watching the sunset from there. One bummer is the amount of shell/wolf-life poaching. I remember being a child, wading through the shallow waters on the far left hand side of the beach, & there were tons of whole sand dollars everywhere. Now, people are too focused on the capital/social media "likes". Please, if you can, refrain from taking stuff in the beach.

Favorite Fort Bragg Beach by far. Close to Road, and great for little ones. The rock tunnel is so…read morecool! Sand can get really hot! Bring flip flops! The hidden beach is truly hidden. You have to walk around to go find it! Today I saw a small shark and sand dollars! Great day at the Beach!

We visit this beach 2-3 times a year. Perfect at low tide. We are able to bring our dog and let him…read moreoff leash with caution. Beautiful views all around.