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.

The Frank Grasse dog park in Willits is a great place to visit with your dogs of all sizes, we can…read morebe found there with our dogs just about every day.

I come here regularly with my pack when I'm passing through. It's not the most perfect place but…read moreit's always clean and there are always waste bags available. There are two separate yards, one for big dogs and a smaller one for little dogs and both are double gated. There's a covered picnic table for the harsher weather days as well as available water for the doggos in both yards. Although, Just like any park, don't trust the dogs if you don't know them! There are a few dogs that should not be there so I always sit back and watch to test the waters before I let my dogs enter or just use the other yard if ones occupied.

Wow, what a cool park with lots of great equipment-- even for the parents! My favorite thing though…read moreis the entirely padded floor here, which means when my kid fell off the swing, he wasn't injured. They have the coolest variety of swings here, like standing see-saw types, purple plastic seaters that parents can sit across from and see-saw swing with their kids, kiddy swings, regular swings, and a big circular one with seats that spins like a fair ride. A mega playground climbing structure with many slides, and a smaller one for littles. There's a bathroom here, and it's right across the street from the Fort Bragg library which also has bathrooms. Free street parking. Even a giant skateboard thing you can balance on. A workout area for adults. Lots to do here.

This is such a fun little park! My kids love it. It's even better after the remodel…read more (Bonus the library is just across the street!)

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

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.

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.

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!

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.]