Like most people I suspect, Jamie W. and I came upon this little house quite by accident since we…read morewere making our way to the headlands from the town center off the main thoroughfare. I was immediately struck by the bright teal color contrasting with the faded red of the steps (see my photo). We knew it wasn't your standard clapboard, "Murder She Wrote" cottage, and yet we were wondering how the owner violated the all-white, Cape Cod-style conformity of the rest of the homes. As it turns out, it's a Taoist temple built by the first Chinese settlers in the early 1850's. In fact, it's the oldest Taoist temple in the state. The temple is dedicated to the Chinese god of war, and the outside of the building has a sign that says from (right to left) "mo dai miu", translates to mean "Temple to the Military God". It's open on weekends but only between May and October. For the rest of the year, you have to turn into a lookie-loo like me and unapologetically peep through the windows. They don't mind....I think.

A true jewel of Mendocino -- a well preserved piece of Chinese American history tucked away in a…read moregorgeous seaside town. We met the Temple's curator who gave us a 30 minute talk on the space her ancestors and their community built in the 1800s. This is a lovingly cared for historic site that helped deepen our understanding of Asian Americans' profound impact on the shaping of our country's culture. I highly recommend a visit to this incredible site.

One of the magical places on the Mendocino coast. Cabrillo Lighthouse Station has been on the north…read morewestern shore for over 100 years. The Fresnel lens of the lamp make this lighhouse a special one as these types are rarely used any more and are disappearing. Restored and maintained, this facility is opened daily at 11:00 and the grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. It's a popular spot for whale watching (Nov-Apr) as well as exploring the rugged coastline, including the site of the Frolic shipwreck from 1850. The lighthouse was damaged and flooded in January of 2023 when a series of high waves from the storm crashed through the buildings ocean side doors. Making it a part of the storm history of this lighthouse, which had been only hit with waves ever on two other occasions, December of 1928 and February of 1960. The grounds are dog friendly, on leash. The lighthouse staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The lighthouse museum is free to enter. Donations are encouraged and welcomed. We spent about two hours there reading the local history inside the museum, which there is a lot and exploring the lighthouse and outside grounds. 4.5 Stars rounded up for the spectacular views 01199

To get to this lighthouse it's about a mile walk from the parking lot. I'm all for walking and…read morehiking but that could be a dealbreaker for some just wanting to swing by and see it. The background is beautiful and there is lots of room for photos of the ocean. The lighthouse is quite small but has a little gift shop inside. Tours up to the lens are a couple of times a month. Before the lighthouse there's a little compound with the old keepers' quarters which you can walk into and check out. If in the Mendocino/Fort Bragg area and only time for one lighthouse I think this one is better for being closer to town (Point Arena is about an hour drive) and for available trails to go on a walk after the lighthouse. If you want something more of a tall statuesque lighthouse where there are tours throughout the day to the top and you don't have to walk a mile from the car I'd recommend Point Arena.

I went out to the light house but parked outside the gate. Beautiful scenery and view of…read morelighthouse. Grounds look nice and clean. Ample parking inside and outside the main gate. Views of the oceans and lighthouse. I had my dogs with me and they needed to run. I'm confident the light house and grounds are just as spectacular inside the complex as they looked from outside the gates.

A wonderful place to spend time! We stayed at the lodging…read morehere for 3 days last year. Highly recommend that as well! After closing the entire place is yours! You can chill with the lighthouse cat or explore with flashlights under the moon. During our stay we went to the top of the lighthouse many times.. it's a quite few steps but worth it! The gift shop is also cool! We went home with a shirt and a magnet. Although the need for this lighthouse is no longer, it still works and is magnificent as is the whole park! Complete with rocky cliffs and a labyrinth by the sea.

Incredible, magnificent part of the California Coast. Do not miss this amazing place! Very easily…read morewalkable.

In 2005 title to the Stornetta Ranch, which meets the Pacific Ocean, was transferred to the Bureau…read moreof Land Management to ensure its long-term protection & provide accessibility to the public. This translates into expanding the California Coastal National Monument to 1665 acres, with 12 coastal miles of undeveloped federal- & state-managed public land. A vast open space to hike & enjoy the rugged cliffs, & view the sea rocks, islands, blowholes, dunes, tide pools, & waves during daylight hours. Public privileges like nowhere I know of. Locals said it's never crowded. Tourists wouldn't necessarily know about it unless they studied up on the purpose & meaning of "Point Arena ~ Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument." If you google it, there is a dozen interesting articles tracing the history & significance.

A simple box girder bridge in Fort Bragg, California (yes another place named after the same…read moreConfederate general as the Fort Bragg in North Carolina) it carries traffic over the Noyo River here at its mouth into the Pacific Ocan. Made from prestressed concrete, it was completed in August 2005 and is the sixth bridge at this crossing. It is quite a high bridge, 110 feet above the river and has three spans with the longest 327 feet. There are just two lanes with a narrow breakdown lane on one side. It has rather low barriers which are great for preserving the view as you cross the bridge and look at the Ocean to the one side and the harbor on the other. The harbor below has a plethora of restaurants (seafood-focused, of course), tourism vendors (kayaking, whale watching tours, fishing) and seafood vendors. [Review 17619 overall - 409 in California - 1138 of 2022.]

Have driven by many times and have stopped once and what a absolute icon of Northern Californias…read moreculture! It does seem like someone will replace the toilet if it breaks so that is a plus.

Did someone break it? My heart is sad... this is one of my favorite stops on the long drive from…read morethe Bay Area to the redwoods.

Yes, there are two Fort Braggs and at the moment, both the one in North Carolina (one of the…read morelargest US Army bases) and this one in California are named after the same guy, a North Carolinian Confederate General Braxton Bragg, who had previously served in the United States Army in the Mexican-American War. The California one is working on a rename to instead honor a different and less Confederate Bragg. This marker is in the main part of downtown Fort Bragg, near the Sea Glass Museum and the Guest House Museum and the city clock. The marker is a bit faded but reads, "Established in this vicinity June 11, 1857 by 1st Lieutenant Horatio Gate Gibson, 3rd Artillery, later Brigadier General, US Army. Named by Gibson in honor of his former company commander, Braxton Bragg, later General, C.S.A. Abandoned in October 1864." [Review 17630 overall - 420 in California - 1149 of 2022.]

Beautiful. Pretty…read moregem we stumbled across amongst other hidden gems. Friends and I took lots of pictures here. Our boys loved the huge tree! Weather was perfect and people are also nice here. There's a bunch of shops around and of course the skunk train. If you are looking for parking, there are lots of parking around the area. We ended up parking our vehicles at the skunk train lot. If you decide to go into the historical home spice it up and spook yourself out before going in. Cross the street and look into the windows before walking in. It'll make your visit worth it!

Fun gift shop to visit near Richardson Grove State Park. I always stop in when I'm up Northread more

Great little yeti-themed road. I stopped for the bathrooms (decent and clean porta potties with…read moresinks) and sculptures and ended up buying a few keepsakes for myself and friends.