Guidebook for Mendocino Coast
Parks & Nature
Russian Gulch State Park
California 1This amazing 347 acre parkland surrounds Mendocino with a blend of gentle trails, rugged coastline, and secluded beaches. A perfect location for whale watching. There are 2 main beaches, Portuguese and Big River, as well as a wonderful stroller/wheelchair friendly walking path along the river itself. As always, it is important to stay away from the edges of cliffs as the crumble and to never turn your back on the ocean and rogue waves are no joke and completely unpredictable. I highly recommend this beach for families.
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Mendocino Headlands State Park
This amazing 347 acre parkland surrounds Mendocino with a blend of gentle trails, rugged coastline, and secluded beaches. A perfect location for whale watching. There are 2 main beaches, Portuguese and Big River, as well as a wonderful stroller/wheelchair friendly walking path along the river itself. As always, it is important to stay away from the edges of cliffs as the crumble and to never turn your back on the ocean and rogue waves are no joke and completely unpredictable. I highly recommend this beach for families.
Van Damme State Park consists of beach and upland on the Mendocino Coast.The park features the lush Fern Canyon scenic trail system; the Pygmy Forest and the bog. The park's ten miles of trail go along the fern-carpeted canyon of Little River. A paved road is used by joggers and bicyclists. The beach is popular with abalone divers. Kayak tours are available through a concession agreement at the Van Damme beach parking lot. Very popular diving spot.
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Van Damme State Park
8001 CA-1Van Damme State Park consists of beach and upland on the Mendocino Coast.The park features the lush Fern Canyon scenic trail system; the Pygmy Forest and the bog. The park's ten miles of trail go along the fern-carpeted canyon of Little River. A paved road is used by joggers and bicyclists. The beach is popular with abalone divers. Kayak tours are available through a concession agreement at the Van Damme beach parking lot. Very popular diving spot.
The 47 acre ocean front garden property includes canyons, wetlands, coastal bluffs, and a closed-cone pine forest. Admission is charged for entrance to the Gardens, with discounts for children and seniors. Main trails are accessible and electric carts are offered on a first-come/first-served basis. It is a wonderful place to just wander and admire.
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Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
18220 CA-1The 47 acre ocean front garden property includes canyons, wetlands, coastal bluffs, and a closed-cone pine forest. Admission is charged for entrance to the Gardens, with discounts for children and seniors. Main trails are accessible and electric carts are offered on a first-come/first-served basis. It is a wonderful place to just wander and admire.
Jughandle State Park - Pygmy Forrest- Trail Destination
31024 Gibney LnNavarro River Redwoods State Park
If you want to see big trees this is the place. 5 separate grooves that have never been logged with a 3 mile hiking loop that takes about an hour. Picnic tables. It is a long drive but very worth it.
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Montgomery Woods State Reserve
15825 Orr Springs RdIf you want to see big trees this is the place. 5 separate grooves that have never been logged with a 3 mile hiking loop that takes about an hour. Picnic tables. It is a long drive but very worth it.
Referred to locally as Bowling Ball Beach. Make sure you go at low tide and you will see why.
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Schooner Gulch State Beach
Referred to locally as Bowling Ball Beach. Make sure you go at low tide and you will see why.
The Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands are a unique and spectacular area that includes access to 12 coastal miles of undeveloped federal and state-managed public lands, coastal bluffs, the estuary of the Garcia River, sandy beaches and dunes, and adjacent small islands accessible during low tide.
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Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands
The Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands are a unique and spectacular area that includes access to 12 coastal miles of undeveloped federal and state-managed public lands, coastal bluffs, the estuary of the Garcia River, sandy beaches and dunes, and adjacent small islands accessible during low tide.
Manchester Beach
Sightseeing
Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
13800 Point Cabrillo DrOriginally constructed in 1870. The lighthouse features a small museum and gift shop. Guided tours of the light station as well as self-guided tours of the grounds are available daily.
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Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum
45500 Lighthouse RdOriginally constructed in 1870. The lighthouse features a small museum and gift shop. Guided tours of the light station as well as self-guided tours of the grounds are available daily.
I always like to recommend people take Hwy 128 at least one way. Anderson Valley is one of the more gorgeous valleys around. Take the time to stop in each small town and find the unique shops and delicious food. If wine tasting is your style, this valley is for you. Award winning vineyards are everywhere and just waiting for you to walk in and ask for a sip. You don't want to indulge too much and drive to the coast though; the roads are very narrow and curvy and the redwood trees are rather unforgiving.
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Anderson Valley
I always like to recommend people take Hwy 128 at least one way. Anderson Valley is one of the more gorgeous valleys around. Take the time to stop in each small town and find the unique shops and delicious food. If wine tasting is your style, this valley is for you. Award winning vineyards are everywhere and just waiting for you to walk in and ask for a sip. You don't want to indulge too much and drive to the coast though; the roads are very narrow and curvy and the redwood trees are rather unforgiving.
Shopping
Awesome store filled with great educational and science-themed toys, games, puzzles, gadgets, science kits, chemistry sets, robotics and more.
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Out of This World
45100 Main StAwesome store filled with great educational and science-themed toys, games, puzzles, gadgets, science kits, chemistry sets, robotics and more.
A real live independent bookstore. I have often wished I could "accidentally" get locked inside overnight and hang out with the resident cat, curled up with one good book after the next.
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Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkles
319 Kasten StA real live independent bookstore. I have often wished I could "accidentally" get locked inside overnight and hang out with the resident cat, curled up with one good book after the next.
This shop showcases brilliantly handcrafted leather wallets, belts, bags and diary covers. Personal service and great quality.
Compass Rose
45150 Albion StThis shop showcases brilliantly handcrafted leather wallets, belts, bags and diary covers. Personal service and great quality.
Village Toy Store
10450 Lansing StFantastic toy store - filled with unique and quality toys, games, books and more.
Sol de Mendocino
Tangents
10540 Lansing StreetEntertainment & Activities
A festival showcasing independent filmmakers and their work - feature length, shorts, animation, documentaries, and foreign films at this exciting event. Special guests, filmmakers, workshops and panels and more.
Mendocino Film Festival
45062 Ukiah StA festival showcasing independent filmmakers and their work - feature length, shorts, animation, documentaries, and foreign films at this exciting event. Special guests, filmmakers, workshops and panels and more.
For two weeks in July, the Concert Hall Tent rises on the Mendocino Headlands to house an exhilarating range of music from orchestral, and chamber, to jazz, Celtic, and bluegrass plus opera and music from around the world.
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Mendocino Music Festival (Venue)
45035 Main StFor two weeks in July, the Concert Hall Tent rises on the Mendocino Headlands to house an exhilarating range of music from orchestral, and chamber, to jazz, Celtic, and bluegrass plus opera and music from around the world.
Go for a private ride on spectacular Manchester Beach. Miles of unspoiled sand and surf.
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Ross Ranch
28300 Philo Greenwood RdGo for a private ride on spectacular Manchester Beach. Miles of unspoiled sand and surf.
Forty miles of railroad run through majestic redwood forests, scenic mountain meadows, and over 30 trestles bridging the pristine mountain waters of Northern California.
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Skunk Train
100 W Laurel StForty miles of railroad run through majestic redwood forests, scenic mountain meadows, and over 30 trestles bridging the pristine mountain waters of Northern California.
B Bryan Preserve
130 Riverside DrKayak Mendocino
Noyo Center For MARINE Science
338 N Main StCatch a Canoe & Bicycles, Too!
10051 S Big River RdNoyo Harbor
A glimpse into the local fishing industry and a great place to find fresh fish.
Kelley House Museum
45007 Albion StEssentials
Wonderful grocery and hardware store with a lot of organic and gluten free options.
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Harvest Market at Mendosa's
10501 Lansing StWonderful grocery and hardware store with a lot of organic and gluten free options.
A worker owned collective since 1975 offering the highest quality food, supplements and housewares located in an old red church. Bulk items available as well.
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Corners of the Mouth, Health Food Store
45015 Ukiah StA worker owned collective since 1975 offering the highest quality food, supplements and housewares located in an old red church. Bulk items available as well.
Lemons Philo Market
8651 CA-128Harvest Market
171 Boatyard DrSafeway
660 S Main StFood scene
Good Life Cafe
10483 Lansing StWorth the wait
Frankie's
44951 Ukiah StTrillium Cafe & Inn
10390 Kasten StMendocino Cafe
10451 Lansing StThe Brickery
Mendocino Chocolate Company
Patterson's Pub
10485 Lansing StQuick bar food and latest food in town. 21 and over only.
Luna Trattoria
955 Ukiah StPrincess Seafood Restaurant
Viraporn's Thai Cafe
16801 Ocean DrCurrently to go only but such good Thai food.
Fog Eater Cafe
45104 Main StGood Bones