Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve is such a beautiful and peaceful place. We came for a little…read morehike and had a great time exploring the trails and scenery. There are plenty of relaxing spots to stop, hang out, and take in the quiet nature around you. We even spotted some newts along the way, which was such a fun surprise. There was some construction happening during our visit, so it wasn't quite as peaceful as usual, but the workers were extremely friendly and respectful, which definitely made up for it. The trails are well-kept, the air feels so fresh, and the setting is perfect for anyone who loves nature, photos, or just getting away for a bit. Overall, a really lovely experience. Good time all around and we would absolutely come again :)

Everything was beautiful especially the little creek you see once you go down a little.read more

This past weekend my family went camping at Hendy Woods SP for the first time. Upon arrival we were…read moregreeted by multiple park rangers at check in (it was the most staff I've ever encountered in a check in, which was nice because it made it go quickly). The roads were a bit bumpy but nothing we couldn't handle. Restrooms were well maintained. We didn't use the showers, but it was nice knowing we had the option if needed... and it seemed like they were nice and hot since other guests were using them and the mirrors were fogging up (not complaining). We did notice a lot of brush piles, so hopefully they are actively taking care of the forest to prevent forest fires. Loved that we weren't too far from the beaches and enjoyed a day at Fort Bragg. We will definitely return.

Uniqueness: Redwoods galore here! Drive Time:…read more [x][x][x][x][x] Scenic Quality: [x][x][x][x][x] Setting: [x][x][x][x][x] Cost: [x][x][x][x][ ] Recommendation? Come early and enjoy a beautiful hike in the redwoods with barely a crowd! Morning drive to Mendocino made us make a pit stop at Hendy Woods State Park as we heard there were beautiful spots of Redwoods that we must check out before going on our way. Pay fee was $8 dollars to get in which wasn't the worst but as we kept driving, we got a little worried about where the Redwoods were as a portion of the drive looked pretty sparse & dry. But worry not, once we got very deep into the drive near the end where the hike begins, the trees started popping up everywhere! Trail was clean and so much greenery everywhere, from the tall Redwoods to the short ferns growing all over the place. We stumbled upon a massive felled Redwood tree which was perfect for photo captures. This place is a perfect spot to stop by if you want to spend a couple of hours soaking in the fresh air and nature!

Such a gorgeous coastal walk near downtown Mendocino! There's ample parking in town and it's an…read moreeasy walk from the coffee shops to where the trail along the coast starts. There's ample parking are some great viewpoints and really gives you a taste of the Northern California coastline without having to drive far or hike.

Very pretty view of the ocean. Beware if you have a dog that pulls as the cliffs are very steep,…read moreotherwise had a blast exploring.

This was a cute little place to stop and take pictures at we really enjoyed the view. It is very…read moresketchy to go down into the beach area and we almost fell a few times. There is a lot of different people around all over the place taking pictures. Overall definitely a nice rest stop. Idk if I'd go out of my way to visit though but it's cool to have come once.

Recommend taking a beautiful walk on this beach at low tide, preferably a minus tide, to experience…read morenatures wonders. The bowling balls are awesome, but the entire beach is abundant with geologic beauty. Sunny, Windy, Rainy... it doesn't matter. Take the walk!!!

Lake Mendocino offers something for everyone: Swimming, hiking, wildlife, cycling, boating,…read morecamping, RV spaces, and even new friendships if you play your cards right! If you plan on camping, Lake Mendocino offers a safe and family-friendly campground environment with kind park rangers to answer questions if needed. Be sure to bring the entire family's bicycles for hours and hours of fun! Good to know: When camping next to large groups, expect to hear music, laughter, and good times being had late into the evening hours.

My first time here, went with family members that come here to fish & hike and meet up with local…read morefriends. I was SHOCKED by the water level! I mean I have been born & raised in California so why on earth would I be shocked by drought conditions?! Well... We just came out of a drought and it's still early in the year w/o enough rain or snowpack but DAMN I really didn't expect it to be soooooo bad! Saying that I follow the news very closely so I have heard it is Lakes Mendicino, Sonoma and Folsom are drying up fast. Along with most of our reservoirs... I cannot comment on how beautiful this lake would be when full, I can't wait to come back in a few years after this drought and see this place in its glory! I do know people are still catching fish and enjoying the beauty of nature here. We met a couple of very friendly geese and an old fisherman who lived near here and shared fishing stories as well as facts about the lake and some of the rocks I was finding... All in all it was a nice stop on our roadtrip!

I was quite surprised to see that I had never reviewed this spectacular Redwood State Park. Being…read morehere is magical, especially when you think the thousands of years the trees have been here. If only they could share their stories. The visitor center is quite helpful in suggesting various hikes, especially when you give them the distance and elevation that you are interested in. They also give you a paper map as often there's no signal in this park for Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the trail to the waterfall was closed and hopefully will be open upon our return. The hike we did today was a little over 5 miles with about 750 feet of climbing. We were happy we brought snacks! My only comment would be that the signage was not sufficient. I know that mostly volunteers make up the staff and perhaps it's not a priority yet we managed to find our way back without too many problems.

A state park with a good amount of redwood trees albeit mostly smaller/younger ones due to a good…read moreamount of logging done in this area to help build California in the 20th century. It is near the Russian River just outside of Guerneville. Redwood vibes similar to some parts of the Santa Cruz range or Marin Hills, but nothing that compares to the big redwoods in Northern California like near Humbolt Co or Crescent City, those are next level. There's a fee to park inside the park. Think it was about $10. It gets busy during the weekends and spaces can be super limited if you come after 11am. We were with a toddler, so we stayed on the main flat trails that go through redwood groves. It is very shady and well trafficked trails. There are a few loops you can join together, and the circumference may be a 2-3 mile hike. But you can do however long you want it to be. Now the trails that elevate into the hills are much more involved. It can elevate to a 1300 foot gain which is pretty strenuous. I haven't tried those yet but it is on my list to try. But even the easy trails that one day, was still beautiful and relaxing. To majestic red bark trees with healthy ferns all on the ground cover, fallen trees to climb on, large rocks to hop on was just a nice jaunt especially with young kids. We brought a light lunch and refreshments and were able to run into a small area with picnic benches. Perfect way to end a few hours steeped in nature, without having to be totally in the wild. Great intro for those that aren't too versed (yet) and to get them exposed to nature, ecosystems and wildlife. Connect with the world amongst which you live with but rarely see. Weekend mission accomplished!

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.

Mendocino Magic's reflective lake and winding trails lead you to an apex overlooking the water,…read morewhere you can feel the presence of something greater at work. You begin to see how the current stewards are preserving the past for the present and the future. As echoed in the spirit of Expedition 33, it's "for those that came after," much like the selfless legacy of the Greek proverb: "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."

Mendocino Magic is a fantastic getaway from the city's hustle and bustle. Mackenzie is extremely…read moreaccommodating and we're well taken care of the entire time we stayed. I don't fancy sleeping on the floor, so we stayed in the Stage House. The cabin was very well stocked with kitchen wares and fire wood, so all you need to bring is food! We loved to go into the woods and forage for the local coastal mushrooms (think King Boletes and chanterelles). The stars are also incredibly beautiful and visible at night. Plus it's dog friendly! Our stay was my platonic ideal of glamping for sure.

Navarro River Redwoods State Park was one of the last places I explored in California before moving…read moreback to Washington State in October 2019. I was on one of my driving adventures north of the San Francisco Bay Area and noticed the sign for this park as I was driving on the road I was on. Not sure where a central hub was, I decided to explore by utilizing the pull-offs along the road. From different pull-off areas, I spotted a number of trails heading off into the redwood trees, however I opted to stay closer to my vehicle. Some of the remains of fallen redwoods were closer to where I parked and I had fun checking that out. I had recently gotten a buzzcut hairstyle and more than usual appreciated the sun protection the trees provided for my scalp/noggin.

Until today, I'd never seen a redwood tree in person. I've missed out. And if you've never seen one…read moreeither, then you're missing out. California Route 128 goes through this beautiful state park on both sides of the road with a few narrow pullouts on both sides and the occasional lane that leads back to an organized campsite. I wasn't interested in camping here but I did park and take pictures and walk through these amazing trees for a little bit, hoping that I wasn't about to get eaten by a bear. No bears spotted. The main body of the park is eleven miles long and between 20 and 500 yards wide. There is also a beach section near the Navarro River bridge with campsites available on a first-come, first-served. That wasn't today's itinerary either. Absolutely magical and I'm so glad to have experienced this park. [Review 17615 overall - 406 in California - 1134 of 2022.]