This is the best place to visit the redwoods in my opinion. Less packed compared to redwood…read morenational park and a lot closer to San Francisco and Santa Rosa if you happen to be staying in that area. About 40 mins from Santa Rosa. We enjoyed this park. We got there early and it was like having a private tour. I suggest getting there early to avoid the crowds. It was so peaceful on our private tour. We enjoyed it. It was very nice. The waterfall was magnificent! We spent a solid two hours there and enjoyed every minute. Get there early and enjoy! Easy five star review. Also parking is free just outside the park.

SCW and I visited Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Park one day while staying nearby. I'd use…read morecaution when using a driving app to get here as we were led along a very narrow road through a local residential area with no room and switchbacks galore. Suffice it to say we saw a few locals along the way that seemed perplexed why we were driving very slowly through their neighborhood. I think that had to do with a bridge closure. Anyways... The return was not the same route thankfully. The park has for pay parking areas and what seemed to be free parking along the road to the park at your own risk. We found a spot in the paid lot ($10). Get a receipt, put it on your car's dashboard and off you go. There's a small welcome center and info at the entrance as well. The Redwoods are incredible here, some alive for 1400 plus years. You simply can't see the tops of the Redwoods from the ground. Truly incredible. The trails are well marked and it's highly discouraged to get off the trails as the environment is very ecologically sensitive. Unfortunately we saw some disregard for that. Stay on the trails people! You'll find placards noting interesting names and places along the way in addition to information about the flora and fauna. The history of the park and previous residents from indigenous peoples to the parks name sake are along the trail. It's an incredible park to visit and appreciate nature. The redwoods are incredible and certainly worth a visit.

We went to the Monte Rio Park on 9610 Main St Monte Rio.the signage is beyond horrible. We ended up…read moreby a large parking lot where their is a coffee shop, a wonderful neighborhood garden and paths along the river. A helpful perdón told us where the park entrance was located and we drove there since the signage is horrible from both directions. There is very limited parking, a porta bn potty and a picnic table. A sign warns you about a very steep path which has no handrails but the site is very quiet and beautiful.

2021 summer: algae floating everywhere, underwater, in water, above water. At first sight I felt…read moregrossed out. There are signs that warn dogs children and adults not to touch the algae. Hopefully it is better other years. Not sure how it is normally. The space is large and roomy for everyone to spread out. I enjoyed it. Food service is friday thru Sunday only. Water is deeper as you walk further away. Maybe 5 feet in the middle. I didn't go all the way to the other side. Plenty of parking. If you're carrying a lot be ready to haul the heavy items for a while at the same time walking on rocks. No lifeguards, make sure kids have life jackets if they tend to wander off. I love a good day in the water and sun so I'm happy anywhere I can do that.

Wide dirt path. It's like getting to eat dessert first! Great view when you start with a moderate…read moredownhill grade the whole way. No help for it, you have to eat your veggies some time! All uphill on the way back. Also, a fairly tick rich environment. We even came away with ticks in early January. Use of the area is by permit only. See photo below. However, I have a feeling most people using the area do not have permits. Contact: www.landpaths.org, (707)524-9381. Dogs are permitted on leash. My observation is that most people politely adhere to on leash protocols. I'd recommend first time visitors park at signage which indicates "no turn around beyond this point." The road does continue for another 1/4 mile but it's extremely narrow and really meant for the few residents who live down there. Better to park at the sign and walk that last 1/4 mile the first time to get the lay of the land. So how do you find this place? It's really just a stone's throw up the hill from the town of Occidental. It's easier to just put in these GPS coordinates: 38.422560, -122.996500. Want even more information? We found the AllTrails app really helpful.

Pretty cool place for a little hike! Decent dirt road for a 6.8 there and back hike. Downhill there…read moreand uphill back. Filled with towering green trees, bright fungi, flowing creek, grassy hills and beautiful views!

This is a serene getaway into nature. You can feel more oxygen in the air and it's significantly…read morecooler. I've always loved Redwoods and feel like walking through redwood forests is very meditative. The hike isn't too long, maybe a half hour or so unless you are someone that stops a lot. I like a shorter hike because it frees up times to do other things but it's not really a destination to itself, more just if you are doing stuff around Occidental, I wouldn't come out of my way for it. The road is pretty windy and narrow. Be careful especially if you have a bigger car like an SUV.

I had never heard of this grove of redwoods even when I was growing up in the area. It is located…read morea couple miles west of the town of Occidental. We were afraid we would lose cell service but luckily it worked the entire way so we were guided by Waze. The road is quite narrow and windy so best to take it slow in case you run across other cars or bicyclists. There are residences along this road too so another reason to take a slow pace. The parking lot is small but we fortunately got a spot as we waited for the other members of our party to arrive. It had been raining all weekend so perhaps there were not as many visitors as normal. We noticed several friendly dogs on leash as we walked along the well-kept trails. The redwoods are truly majestic and there are many picture perfect spots along the path. We took some beautiful photos of the redwoods with fern in the foreground. It's a nice and easy trail and a peaceful spot to have a picnic. I think they must have controlled burns here because in certain areas, there were redwoods that had blackened trunks. Some of these trees are over 1,000 years old. Take Coleman Valley Road to Fitzpatrick Lane. There is a small parking lot and I've read not to park on the side of the road if the parking lot is full as they do give out tickets.

We called today wanting more information about the club and do the three day stay they advertise on…read moretheir website. Instead of being given information we were told the stay was for people that are signing up and to try the Rv campground up the street. I was surprised since they have so many great reviews and disappointed we didn't get the opportunity to try it out.

We purchased a 17ft trailer a couple years ago and want to start using it more but we usually don't…read moreknow far in advance when we can go. We heard about Duncans Mills Camping Club so reached out to the owner for a trial stay. We were able to book a two night stay for the same week. We arrived and were greeted by Tina, who helped us pick a good spot for our trailer that was near the river and close to bathrooms and other amenities. The site was large and flat which made backing our trailer in very easy. It had a fire pit, grill, and picnic table. It was a short walk to the river's edge and beach which also had a huge grass are that you could sit on near the river. We took a great hike which was less than 2 miles from the campground where we hiked up to a ridge and could see the ocean. After the hike my husband used the very large hot tub. We didn't use the family area or adult area but looked at it. It had games, books, pool table and other things to do. The fitness room was on the back side of the building and had enough equipment to do a good workout. We went midweek so there were not very many campers so it was very quiet and peaceful. Only thing we had to watchout for was poison oak. The staff was there cutting it back in many sites. All in all it was a great stay. Staff was friendly and available for questions, facilities were good (bathroom was very clean and spacious), and campsites were large. We got the information while we were there about joining the club and are seriously considering it due to it's close proximity to bay area, amenities, flexibility of booking sites and cost if we will use it as much as we are hoping to.

The Sonoma Coast State Park is absolutely stunning. It covers 17 miles of the Pacific Coastline and…read morehas a ton of different trails along the way. You can choose to walk along the coastline with spectacular views or enjoy more challenging hikes that offer sweeping views of the Sonoma Coast from up above it all. The Sonoma Coast State Park stretches along Highway 1 from Bodega Bay to the town of Jenner. There is plenty of parking and the drive along the Sonoma Coast is absolutely beautiful. If you go during golden hour, you will also have breathtaking views! You will have views of the rugged coastline and it's a great place to spend time soaking in the views!

The Sonoma Coast near Jenner was a nice stop during our trip. We weren't completely blown away, but…read moreit was still a pleasant place to visit and take in the scenery. The coastline is rugged and peaceful, and it was really cool to see the seal nursery - lots of seals lounging and playing, which was definitely the highlight. Jenner has a quiet, calm vibe, making it a good spot to get some fresh air, take photos, and enjoy a low-key coastal view. Overall, a nice experience if you're already in the area.

Can't believe I haven't reviewed this amazing trail sooner! I've hiked it for years and it never…read moregets old. Usually I stop at the Pomo Campground, but this time we went all the way up Red Hill and looped back. The views are unreal -- ocean, Russian River, and the coastal range all in one sweep. If you make it to the top, bring a sandwich and take in the scenery from the picnic table. Totally worth it!

Fun trail with lots of diversity. Hiking the Pomo Canyon trail, you'll get redwoods, coastal views,…read morewildflowers, sweeping hillsides and rocky meadows. I find the easiest way to start is by parking at Shell Beach on the Sonoma coast-it's also free to park here. Cross Highway 1 and you'll see the trail climb, at first as a wider fire road but then narrowing and starting to leave behind the traffic noise of the coastal highway. It's moderately challenging to climb but levels out in spots and alternates between sun and shade. When you get to the first junction (a short way in) of Red Hill trail, keep left and follow the signs for Pomo Canyon, as I feel the trail is best done counter clockwise. Along the way up, you'll go through narrow single track trails that are a bit overgrown-long pants recommended! In April, there was a colorful array of wildflowers and still some mud on the trail. You'll encounter some beautiful redwood groves before you each the next junction which gives you an option to turn left and make it down to the Pomo Canyon campground or to the right to complete your loop via the Red Hill trail. I like to turn right and climb red hill to enjoy the sweeping views of the coast and Jenner, where you can see the junction of the Russian River. This will loop you back down to where you started and ends up being just shy of 6 miles. Beautiful views, majestic redwoods and colorful wildflowers make this a fun spring hike.

Nice secluded beach. Lots of driftwood lying around. Wonderful opportunity for you artists who like…read moreto build structures with driftwood. We, photography enthusiasts, thank you for your lovely creations which make for great pictures. You can find the entrance to Stump Beach along Hwy 1 at Salt Point State Park. Dirt parking lot. Be careful and watch your step. Maybe not for the elderly to travel. There are steps going down to the beach but they are not maintained well and there are drops along the way. The ground can get uneven in some spots. If you make it down to the beach, the rocks are interesting; smooth and they make for a nice display along the beach.

I've been lucky over the years to have visited some pretty amazing beaches. Some are sprawling and…read morebustling, some calm, some with crashing waves, big rock formations, caves, etc...some secluded, some on the edge of a city, some in the middle of nowhere. If you love the water, you can appreciate a nice beach regardless of the context or the particular environment. That being said, this is the kind of beach that I love the most. Quiet and secluded, no one around, down a long walkway and away from most everything. I could spend all day in a spot like this just napping and listening to the waves crashing in. If you're coming down this part of the coast it's definitely worth a stop if only just to take it in for a moment. There are a few trails that run around the hills overlooking it if you feel like taking a hike and seeing some amazing views, and a short trail that leads to the beach itself from the small parking lot. The parking lot itself could be easy to miss if you weren't watching for it so be on the lookout. Skip the big places that you've heard of and head here. Have the beach to yourself for a while. You'll be glad you did.

We did Sea to Sky to Raptor Ridge Loop. What an amazing hike!…read moreWe did this one counterclockwise so we could get over the steep climbs at the beginning, and the second half of the hike felt much easier. We also took a few detours along the way, and each one was worth it. The first detour led us through dense trees. The second had us climbing up a large rock that opened up to gorgeous views of the surrounding hills and the ocean. The third was a short loop (Hawk Hill), which I'd definitely recommend! The views from the top are stunning and absolutely worth the extra steps. The real highlight of the day was spotting a BOBCAT in the wild. I've never seen one in person before and it made our day. It was foggy at the bottom, but the higher we climbed, the clearer it became. At one point we were actually above the cloud line, which was incredible. There's also a viewing scope at one of the overlooks, but we happened to reach it when the fog was at its thickest so we couldn't see much. It's definitely worth checking out if you visit on a clearer day. A few tips: wear sunscreen (I skipped it and got sunburned), bring plenty of water, and pack a hat and sunglasses because once you're above the fog, the sun gets surprisingly strong. There are also several picnic areas along the trail if you want to stop, take a break, or enjoy a snack. Parking is free. Overall, this is a moderate hike with a good amount of climbing, but the effort pays off. The trail was in great condition and wasn't crowded. Between the incredible views, the detours, and the unforgettable bobcat, this hike easily earns five stars!

Another fabulous Sonoma Coast hike. One of our favorite day trips…read more Anytime is beautiful to visit this hiking destination but we love going in but May! It is the perfect time to soak in vibrant wildflowers and lush green landscapes. We love taking Plumette, our Schnoodle. She loves sniffaring here. ‍ Pups must be on Leash. Leave no trace.

Shell Beach is a favorite location for beach combing and tide pooling. Note that the walk down to…read morethe beach is a little steep so take your time. There are many hiking trails that start from this beach. Some are flat with gorgeous views if you want to walk and soak in the views. If you are looking for more of a challenging hike with an incline there is the Shell Beach to Pomo Canyon or the Shell Beach to Red Hill loop. You will just need to cross the road. There is a large parking lot and the parking is free. They also have bathrooms that are well kept. Whatever trail you decide you will have picturesque views of the Sonoma Coast. Enjoy this beautiful area on the Sonoma Coast. These pictures are of the Shell Beach to Red Hill hike around 10:30am, before the fog burned off for the day.

This is a small secluded beach with a pretty steep stairway down to the beach from the parking lot…read more It's a good bit of cardio climbing up and down. The parking lot has lots of spaces and it's free. The restroom is well maintained, port a potty style, no running water. Once on the beach it's a smaller area, easy walk to the water and the rocks at the end. There's a small tide pool area too. A nice relaxing beach with not many people, so can enjoy it almost to yourself. There are also many trails off the parking lot. I walked the Kortum Trail - it's a beautiful trail with stretches of wooden paths, sprawling greenery with mountains to on side and the, coast along the other. This trail leads to goat rock. It's a pretty steep incline towards the end but worth the views when you reach the top. It's a 2.3 mile round trip hike. I wish I had read a little history before I went on the hike, I later learned the large rocks you can see from the trail are named "Mammoth Rocks" it's believed the Mammoths rubbed against the rocks and created smooth polished patches 10-14 ft high. Probably end of ice age 10 to 14 thousand years ago. Great area, beautiful state beach and lots of hiking with breathtaking views of the coast.