The vibes here are awesome minus the tweakers and dog poop. But in this area there is t much else…read moreto do.

One of my good friend Yelp friends is famous for reviewing parks. My 2011 New Years Resolution is…read moreto match her park for park. And I will begin my quest with the world's champion of parks. Growing up, this place was known simply as the Ukiah Municipal Park. I'm not sure when the whole Todd Grove thing happened, but it's the in thing to name parks after people. I'm all good with that. Some of the park kid toys are gone, but the giant tractor tires remain. What is it about a giant rubber tire that would get me to spend countless hours entertaining me? The parks iconic symbol to me was always the rocket. Now that was the single biggest childhood attraction for me growing up in the entire town. I still remember the day I felt like one of the big kids when I finally stopped my crying and summited the very top. I swear you could see the Golden Gate Bridge from there. Sir Edmund Hillary has nothing on me. . This park includes two swimming pools, plenty of picnics and countless trees that provide protection and shade from the hot summer sun. I took swimming lessons here as a kid and is where I conquered my fear of the water. I cannot even begin to count the fond memories of this place. From the family summer outings, to the yearly school picnics this place will always hold a special place in my heart.

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!

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!

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.

Great space. Two parks, one for small dogs and one as the sign says is for "large and brave" dogs…read more The big dog park is plenty shady and tons of room for dog play. Definitely needs some TLC, particularly new mulch as the under mat is showing all over. Drinking fountain (human part) didn't work. At the small park it's full of foxtails and the drinking fountain didn't work at all (human or dog). The main sign is deceptive saying the low gap dog park requires leashes which just isn't accurate inside the fencing. Otherwise great park for your pup- just recommend to bring your own water for u and your fur child.

I came here this morning after a trip to the lake was a disaster... There was a foot race going on…read moreand my pup was way too by the racers dogs. This was my first time here and I was a little unprepared since the dog park was not our original plan, I had no ball or frisbee or anything to entertain my dog if there were no doggies at the park. Thankfully there are tennis balls around from previous visitors(thank you!). The water station for the dogs in the "Small & Shy" side was acting up, water wasnt flowing into it but someone was kind enough to leave an old plastic tupperware to use for filling. The dog park was clean & it looked like everyone did a great job at picking up after their pups. Will be back!

The address is 43 Clark Ave #41, Cloverdale…read more This park is great. The main tower is three levels with huge slides.

Just needed somewhere to stop so kids could stretch their legs. A few sketchy characters but at…read moreleast they got to play a little on the way back from Fort Bragg.

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 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!!!

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.

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.]