Guidebook for Mendocino Area

Fridays Noon - 2:00pm • May–October 28 Downtown Mendocino at Howard & Main Street

Miles of trails from the coast to inland redwood and conifer forests which are available on line for detailed information about hiking trails.

The park is known for its hiking trail called the Ecological Staircase Trail which takes you through interesting geological features and ends at the Hans Jenny Pygmy Forest. Along the trail hikers are educated about the forces of nature that formed the five “wave-cut terraces” in the park. Several other forests including bishop pine, grand fir, and redwood trees can be found throughout Jug Handle Natural Reserve. Trails explore the headlands above the cove in addition to the valley of Jug Handle Creek.

This trail is my personal favorite and is located at Hwy 1 marker 49.04 when driving south from Mendocino village.lSpring Ranch is at the northern end of Van Damme State Park. This is a lovely spot, offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean as well as trails that wind past historic barns and above a rocky intertidal shelf. There is good wildlife viewing here, especially at low tide, when the seals haul out onto offshore rocks. Watch for whale spouts and tails during the California grey whale spring and fall migration.

3 miles long , This is one of the newest segments of the California Coastal Trail in Mendocino County, located on the headlands west of the City of Fort Bragg. This stretch of coastline has been off-limits to the public and locked behind lumber mill gates for over a century. The wildlife viewing opportunities here are varied and superb, and the 5-mile long trail is easy and accessible to all kinds of people. (Access Northern California has detailed information about ADA accessibility here)

Trail Length: 10 miles Getting There: Coming from Mendocino turn left just before highway 1 crosses the bridge over Big River. The road slopes down to a large dirt parking lot. If you are looking for quick access to the beach, turn right at the bottom of the hill but if you want to park close to the trail start, go left and follow the dirt road up river until you reach the restrooms.

Beautiful beach: this is what you see when driving toward Mendocino and cross over the bridge heading north on Hwy 1. Access: go south on Highway One past Main St, and turn left on the north side of the Big River bridge – the sign says “Big River State Beach”. Go down the hill, and bear left (east) to the gate.

Just south of Mendocino at Hairpin turn is lovely beach in Little River

Located north of Fort Bragg. "Inland lake, shoreline, sand dunes - the park has it all."

10 miles North of Fort Bragg you are able to walk along sand dunes that extend for miles.