Not a big place, but a good jumping off spot to explore this part of the coast. Two grocery stores,…read moreample places to eat and sleep. Most of the motels have ocean view, and there is a short walking path along the bluff looking out across the river to the ocean. The regional park, a short drive, was a great beach walk. This is off the beaten path for Bay Area crowds, just north of Sea Ranch Plantation, with a reasonable range of places to stay and eat. Most of your exploring from here will be by car, but that was fine with us.

One of NorCals best kept secrets is the quaint town of Point Arena, home of Arena Cove! The…read moreabsolute most picturesque, gentle, calm and natural water views you'll ever see! Arena Cove is home to a pizza parlor and coffee shop as well as a fishing pier and if you come at low tide, the most amazing tide pools with fish, sea urchin, sea star fish, crab and countless water plants. Beautiful hiking on the shoreline and the best sunsets! I love visiting when I need a time out from the hustle and bustle of life; a quick trip is always humbling and helps me to refocus on the finer things in life... like nature!!!

I hate it when people Yelp landmarks instead of businesses. Just a personal pet peeve of mine…read more There's an exception to every rule, and I happen to be exceptional, so based on three exceptions to the rule I believe a review of Point Arena Cove is worthy of Yelp. First, this is an obscure little town and it needs Yelp reviews to encourage people to stop and experience all it has to offer. Second, this cove is not visible from Hwy 1 so you might drive right past it. Third, there are hours associated with the pier (open for boat launches from 7am to 4pm), so it's like a business. I'm not an expert on coves, but I've seen quite a few in my day. I think I'm a pretty good judge of cove character. La Jolla Cove, in San Diego was my favorite. Until I visited Point Arena Cove. There is so much going on here. I visited on a Saturday morning and ended up having great conversations with the very warm locals. A few showed me the abalone they had just hauled in (the Fish Police were right there to make sure every one was legal) and another showed me pictures of an albatross that visits the cove (very rare!) surfing with surfers. There are dogs galore (please leash them on the pier) and nice owners to go with them. This is a working cove, but people also go to talk and drink coffee. The cove is the best place to capture the local flavor of Point Arena. You absolutely must visit it.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world."…read more I don't trust PG&E, the world's largest utility. Ever since that neighborhood in San Bruno imploded in 2010 I've been leery. Thankfully, I'm not the first person who's felt this way. Back in the late '50s/early '60s PG&E began erecting a nuclear power plant right beside the ocean on Bodega Head in the town of Bodega Bay. The site sat directly atop the San Andreas fault (that worked so well in Fukushima...) near environmentally sensitive dairy farms and ranches. PG&E got as far as drilling a hole in Bodega Head; a hole 142 feet across and 120 feet in depth. A hole sizable enough to drop a 10-story building into if one desired though the actual plans for that hole were to contain the biggest boiling water nuclear reactor ever. And then the opposition began. A small group of thoughtful, committed citizens banded together to fight it. Their opposition ran on for five+ years and represented an early step in the environmental movement. After years of loud and ongoing opposition as PG&E pressed on for their "Atomic Park" (sic), the PUC in 1963 rejected PG&E's request. The hole was left to fill naturally and has now become a freshwater "pond" for birds and wildlife. PG&E eventually sold the entire 225-acre site to the state park district for $1 and abandoned their scary plans for the site. Hole in the Head is, today, most easily viewed from the parking lot at Campbell Cove. There you'll see a little walkway and signage which will take you to a viewing area looking out on the large water feature. Signage on the Bodega Head trail will also alert you to Hole in the Head which can be seen far below that trail. Without historical knowledge there's nothing either interesting or exciting about this body of water. Only when you know its history however, and realize that California's Environmental Quality Act and California's Coastal Commission were borne out of the fight against PG&E's plans do you begin to respect it as you should. * That opening quote is attributable to cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead. * Read more about the hole here: http://sonomacountyhomesforsaleonline.com/bodega-bay/hole-in-the-head-bodega-bay-ca/ and http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2296499-181/battle-over-bodega-head-nuclear * Truth be told, I've not been a fan of PG&E since far before the San Bruno incident. * Oh no she didn't... oh yes she did. I just reviewed a hole in the ground.

TTHE BEST small town fair! Not to be missed! Complete with parade on Sunday, and the Sheep Dog…read moretrails, plus local vendors and 4H judging. Lots of rides for the kids.

I was in the area, totally by accident, at the time of the Fair. With my favorite short person in…read moretow, getting conned into going was a forgone conclusion. Let me qualify by saying that I don't really care for rides, crowds or paying twice as much for ho-hum food eaten standing. So I was not expecting to enjoy myself. Boy, was I wrong! Some highlights: -Science tent for kids -Very gentle shaded petting zoo tent (I think I enjoyed it more than the kid.) -Very good live music in a wooded glen area with plenty of seating -Sweet local parade -Extra long slide -Pony rides -Extensive agricultural display (the sheep and goats were particularly fun) -Anderson Valley Beer We packed a picnic to enjoy by the river later, but I almost regretted that. The food smelled quite good. I still wasn't crazy for the rides or games. But, hey, it's a fair.

What a cool place to stop and have a meal and something to wash it down! Their fish and chips is…read moredelicious! They have REAL French fries too. Just wish there were more than a handful. Nice light batter, not too greasy and the fries were just sooooo darn good. Service was spot on too! They also have great outdoor seating with views of the ocean. You can't beat it! Its on the second floor so you get a really good vantage point. Worth a stop in just for a beer and view alone. The food is just a big bonus!

I came to anchor bay to camp with my dog. I was not prepared for the rain for the next 2 hours, so…read morei decided to find a bar and grill. To my pleasant surprise Cove Azul Bar and Grill was only 4 miles from here. Came here with Leo, my dog, and I love the vibes. Super chill and friendly. Has a beautiful view. I ordered the buffalo wings and OMG they were perfect. I'm waiting right now to get hungry again so I can order more food to try all of their deliciousness.

What a community treasure. First off, the grounds are gorgeous, totally lush with native plants and…read morewildflowers, and I went in July so it was pollinator heaven, you couldn't look anywhere without seeing blossoms just oozing pollen. I felt like I had stepped back in time to visit the original Secret Garden. The woman who met us near the apple orchard was charming and seemed to have an encyclopedic understanding of the life of insects and their relationships to plants. The grounds are old, which is a part of the magic- butterflies painted on old barns, rambling wild roses, passage ways flanked by goldenrod and seemingly ancient bay trees. I have never seen so many quails, hummingbirds and bees! Best of all, my daughter and I wanted to wander, we aren't necessarily tour types, and the docent seemed to get this right away. She just let us go do our thing. We are signing up for one of the Moth Nights, now that we know about it. I read other reviews about folks feeling disappointment in not seeing butterflies, and as a naturalist, I have to laugh. One, butterflies are like all of us, they have times that they are around and other times they are not. Some live locally, some just pass through. Depending on the time of day, where you are standing, etc, you may see a ton or none. Welcome to nature. As for people wanting posters- no thank you! So tacky. Buy a guide book, observe, schedule a tour. Personally I don't want this garden to have the feel of a museum, I want to wander, wonder, observe, and hopefully, leave with a feeling of curiosity that I can continue to explore.

I love Hallberg Butterfly Gardens (see previous review). But while they get five stars for concept…read moreand purpose - butterfly conservation and education - they get one star in execution. In all the times I've been here - and it's many over the years - I have never seen a single employee on the property. There is no one available to answer questions, tell you about butterflies, or even discuss events. We signed up for an event today, and there was not a single person on the property. We wandered around for an hour and found NO ONE. Oddly enough, you can't get in touch with them via phone, either, because no one ever answers. Try for yourself and see. There's no outgoing info when you call, and you cannot leave a message. Amazingly, there aren't even posters displaying the different types of butterflies you might see, or how to identify them. Given that this place focuses on butterfly education, you would think they would offer some education...? Moreover, the place is falling apart - it's run down with poor signage. There's also a massive amount of disorganization: we signed up for one event on 7/2, and got confirmation for an event that already happened weeks ago. There was no info contained in the email beyond the gate code and the time to show up. We didn't know if someone would be leading the event or if we would be meeting people there. (Answer: no and no.) Hiring a part-time assistant to organize public events that attract people here would be a worthwhile investment, one would think...? I am ALL about natural spaces and supporting science education, and have always supposed the Gardens -- but if this place wants to make money and keep fans, they need to prioritize, even minimally, the people and events that support their existence.

Mendocino is one of our favorite places to escape to for a long weekend! It's a charming coastal…read moretown and the perfect place to get away from all the hustle and bustle of life. If you are looking for relaxation, to unwind, and to melt away away all of your stress, this is a great place for you. The downtown area is very walkable to shops, restaurants, etc. It's fun to have a meal, check out the shops, and I love that all of the downtown area is in walking distance to the coast. Some of the restaurants have stunning coastal views. The restaurants have fresh food and their seafood is amazing! There are lots of outdoor activities and hiking trails. We love hiking here! It's great for going kayaking or canoeing as well. You can explore the hidden coves and soak in the breathtaking coastal views. You can also have a picnic on the coast and enjoy the beautiful sunsets on the Mendocino coast. We always stop at the Botanical Gardens when visiting the area because we love walking through their beautiful gardens. We also love that this place and so many others in Mendocino are dog-friendly!

Mendocino is such a charming little town that I make a point to visit every year. It's the perfect…read moreNorthern California getaway, with its quaint boutique shops supporting local small businesses, as well as beautiful scenic views and great hikes. Whether you're exploring the coastline or walking through the town, there's always something lovely to see. One of the highlights of my trips is definitely trying the foraged foods -- Mendocino is known for its fresh foraged mushrooms, and they're a must-try if you're a fan of unique, local flavors. Overall, it's a peaceful, picturesque destination that I highly recommend!

In my experience, people checking city reviews are potential tourists or residents, so I have a…read morereview for each. As a tourist destination, it's a sleepy little getaway ideal for families. Couples and groups of friends not expecting a roaring nightlife will like it as well. Of the natural popular points of interest, I wasn't too excited about the botanical gardens (Plants!), Fort Bragg Coastal Trail (Water!), Pomo Bluffs Park (Cliffs!), Jackson State Park (Trees!), Noyo Beach (Driftwood!), Belinda Point Trail (Mud!), Otis Johnson Park (Stairs!), Noyo Headlands Park (Rocks!), MacKerricher State Park (Sand!), Seaside Beach (Rocks AND Sand!), but Pudding Creek Beach, which is directly under a tall picturesque bridge is cool. Russian Gulch State Park (nine miles south) features the Sinking Hole and another beach under a bridge that is even taller and picturesquer. The biggest draw, of course, was Glass Beach (see separate review), which brought us four hours from San Jose. However, I suspect that people unwilling to hike down some small but precarious cliffs to less-travelled coves will likely be unimpressed by the treasure hunting. Fort Bragg has a main strip/downtown area with some cool things to see, buy, and eat. FOOD: Fair amount of independent options. We enjoyed Cowlick's (separate review), which has lines of people waiting for nationally recognized homemade ice cream. Egghead's and Laurel's Deli (with a huge locomotive) are popular for breakfast, though we ate with the locals at David's Deli (separate review) down the road where 1 and 20 meet. The Bakery has "special" baked goods that will get you baked. DRINK: We grabbed a drink at Welcome Inn (separate review), next to Golden West Saloon, both of which are unpretentious bars with pool and shuffleboard. Stop by Golden West for the Fort Bragg postcard photo op. Elsewhere, Pacific Star Winery and North Coast Brewing are well-reviewed. MUSEUMS: the Sea Glass Museum (separate review) has the largest display of sea glass in the world. Triangle Tattoo Museum, Mendocino Coast Model Railroad Museum, and the Guest House Museum (displaying a historically-dated cross-section of redwood outside) are downtown as well. Elsewhere, Noyo Center for Marine Science has an orca skeleton and interactive topographic sandbox. ACTIVITIES: Skunk Train looks fun, offering rides by rail bike or train, but it was too overpriced for me (I think the prices for Skunk stink). The kids might enjoy Wiggly Giggly Playground outside the Ft. Bragg Library. Elsewhere, you can ride a horse at Ricochet Ridge, kayak past seals and sea otters (like Liquid Fusion is one vendor) or catch an early movie at the independent Coast Cinema. SHOPPING: Lots of shops. We enjoyed Lost Surf Shop (separate review), where Shasta will give you a high five if you rub her belly. Just make sure her husband doesn't see. (Just kidding, Shasta is a dog). As a resident, it doesn't appear to be overcrowded or disruptive despite being a tourist destination. The city's history is linked to military, fishing, lumber and the displaced Pomo tribe. Mild weather and uniquely cool summers. Not incredibly diverse (75% white) and most people vote blue. Property theft rates are double state average, violent crime is 33% higher. Thanks, Obama. (I kid). The seclusion can be good or bad. The 101 at Willits is 35 miles of elevated, winding roads that can take you to Santa Rosa (2.2 hr) or San Francisco (3.3 hr). The I-5 at Williams (2.7 hr) can get you to Sacramento (3.7 hr). Seems like a nice place to live, especially along the rocky coast, which reminds me of the black-and-white emo version of Big Sur.

Lovely city on the Northern Coastline of California. We've found ourselves staying here a few…read moretimes over the years during our travels. There is no nightlife that I know of, but we are not here for that. We are here to enjoy nature, and there is plenty of beautiful Mother Nature in and around the city of Fort Bragg. Some of the Mama Nature sights are the following: Glass Beach MacKerricher State Park Fort Bragg Coastal Trail Noyo Headlands Park Russian Gulch State Park Those are the ones that come to mind, but I'm sure there are others around the area. Regarding the city itself, It is a nice place to visit. Good hotel options to stay at. Most of the local restaurants close by 9pm so eat early unless you want McDonalds or Dennys. Highly recommend Cowlick's Ice Cream shop for some awesome homemade ice cream!! Enjoy your time at Fort Bragg!

Every visit here is magical. The walk there is quite…read morepleasant and at the end of the trail is the spectacular & symbolic Bell Tower. This tower is so well done and a beautiful tribute to the children. Also special and magical are the creative wind chimes in the trees near by. When the wind picks up you can hear the chimes make lovely and unique sounds.

Fun, relatively quick stop. My kids were intrigued by the sad and inspiring story of the little boy…read moreand the bell tower. Our visit timed perfectly with the Farmers Market (Sundays 10-2) - parking is the same for the tower and the market. The tower is a short easy 1 or 2 minutes walk from the parking. There was a little band at the farmers market playing retro tunes, adding to the pleasant ambiance. There are a couple of trees with windchimes and other decorations hanging - if you wanted to remember someone special, you could bring something to add in their honor. Right next to the tower, there's a fun, short path through a thick woods that makes a loop - my kids greatly enjoyed the "enchanted forest" (despite their usual intolerance for hiking). Only thing to watch out for if you have littles - there was a downed fence with barbed wire on the ground in one place.

There's no "arena" in Point Arena. "Arena" IS Spanish for "sand." The name dates back to when the…read moregovernment of Mexico charted the area in the 1700s and determined that it was a sandbar area. "Point Arena" is literally sand point. It is a very small town along the California coast. Main Street in the town is State Route 1, the major north-south state highway that runs along most of the Pacific coastline. It has a post office https://www.yelp.com/biz/us-post-office-point-arena?hrid=3XD95inTOncNUoUpqRvQCw, library https://www.yelp.com/biz/coast-community-library-point-arena, public restroom https://www.yelp.com/biz/public-toilet-point-arena?hrid=IzgcvCOgzjUNaBe-gTMhCw. Several restaurants and retail shopping opportunities. There's even an EV charging station https://www.yelp.com/biz/chargepoint-point-arena?hrid=_RKbdCjuqv000y568aHzYg. I didn't spot a grocery store though. I would imagine that most people come to Point Arena to see the lighthouse https://www.yelp.com/biz/point-arena-light-station-point-arena?hrid=dPT9liqvA83HVX1CvsQmnQ and that's why I was here. But after that, I needed beer and landed at The New Museum Brewers and Blenders https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-new-museum-brewers-and-blenders-point-arena?hrid=WHPqilM7zTh9gpZkrZQTNw. [Review 17645 overall - 435 in California - 1166 of 2022.]

City on the Inside…read more Tiny, coastal city that runs along the PCH and has a miniscule population of ±450 people--making it one of the smallest incorporated cities in the state. The Good: *The Pt Arena Lighthouse! This is what Pt Arena is best known for and the reason most visitors passing thru. Def a must-see! If you can book a stay at the lighthouse itself--you won't regret it! *B.Bryan Preserve is a local African wildlife conservation group that leads "Safari tours" that includes giraffe feedings. *The people here are much nicer and seem more progressive than some of the other coastal towns we visited. *Their "downtown" area has lots of little shops and plenty of parking. *Great coastal weather: never too hot and never too cold. *Some surprisingly smacking eats in town: Rollerville Café serves up solid diner eats and Franny's Bakery is superb! *Roads are surprisingly in really good shape for a small city. The Meh: *Where do these people shop for groceries?! Their "world famous" general store is closed and their co-op market is just the bare essentials and left us wanting. *Almost no cell phone signal in the ENTIRE town! Well, at least for Xfinity (i.e., Verizon) service. Curious if AT&T or Sprint/T-Mobil customers have any luck? The Ugly: *Their Pier area has seen better days; old, decrepit and quite frankly boring. Most of the businesses there are closed and the fishing industry there seems dead. TLDR: Quaint town with nice people and some really cool things to see and eat.