Mendocino Headlands State Park is unforgettable. We walked straight from the village out along the…read morebluffs, with sweeping ocean views the entire way, then made our way down to a quiet beach where there was no one else around. Just sitting there with the sound of waves and birds felt incredibly peaceful. Simple, raw, and beautiful in a way that's hard to describe. One of those places that makes you slow down and just take it all in. Absolutely worth the walk from town.

We were able to find street parking easily in the morning- free. We walked a small section of the…read moreMendocino Headlands Trail. The bluffs and ocean views were beautiful. There were stairs on the side that lead to Portuguese Beach. We also viewed the blow hole. It was windy out there, but overall it was a nice quick stop.

Great place to park and walk; dog friendly (dogs must be leashed). Great paved parking, restrooms,…read moredirt/gravel and paved bike trails, many places to take photos and be in nature. Lots of grass, some birds, wildlife plus an excellent place to watch the sun rise. Very clean grounds with trash receptacles throughout. The road that leads north from bathrooms parking area needs an overhaul, many large holes and road is a mix of paved with big dirt potholes. There may be a helicopter land section in the middle of this road/parking area as it's marked as though it is. **not reviewing the dog park** There is a basic dog park, very basic and little dogs could escape. Okay place for supervised, off leash potty breaks for large dogs and leashed little dogs.

There's something quietly magical about Noyo Headlands State Park, home to the once-glass-covered…read moreGlass Beach in Fort Bragg, CA. It's not just a place you visit it's a place you feel. I've been here more times than I can count, and it still brings me peace. My kids grew up playing here, climbing rocks, chasing waves, and turning every visit into a treasure hunt for sea glass. These days, the glass is much harder to find what's left is tucked between pebbles and seaweed, polished down by time and tide. But that's part of the fun now: it's not a guarantee, it's a quest. And even if you don't find much glass, the views alone are worth the trip. The walking trails stretch for miles with panoramic views of the Pacific, wildflowers in bloom, and seabirds gliding above the surf. It's accessible, beautiful, and full of moments that make you stop and just breathe. Whether you're a photographer, a hiker, or someone who just needs to reset, this place delivers. Glass Beach may no longer be a sparkling blanket of color, but it remains a symbol of transformation how nature turns damage into beauty. The peace here, the sound of the waves, and the memories it helps create are what really matter. Five stars from someone who keeps coming back. Bring your curiosity, your camera, and your respect for the land. Even without much glass, you'll find something special if you slow down and look.

My vertigo was running pretty strong this morning as I looked out over the bluffs here. That said,…read morethere was plenty of opportunity to enjoy some absolute peace. There wasn't a single sound this morning except the blowing wind and my heart beating in my ears. Great spot with a walkway and marked path. As long as you stick to that path, you're fine. If you're feeling adventurous, you can do some climbing. Just be sure someone knows your next of kin. [Review 17626 overall - 416 in California - 1145 of 2022.]

Pomo Bluffs has a beautiful scenery. There are many trails , and weather in early July is cool,…read moresunny but breeze, too. Just perfect! We've travel up and down CA coastal several times, and I still can't get enough! From the Monterey Peninsula to the bluffs, it is just breathtaking. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes, great walking shoes, light sweater, plenty of water, snacks and of course sun screen. the scenic, trails, pathways, are breathtaking . Even thought Carmel, Cambrian and sand dollar are my favorite places in Northern Ca. It doesn't matter if you like trails or 60 degree weather these are the places to visit. Big Sur, DelMonte,Morro Bay , half moon bay, anything by the northern peninsula or above the peninsula, I totally recommend. I will assure you that you'll enjoy the scenes, the trails, the resting benches, the weather, and sunsets. Be adventurous and travel one of the most beautiful highways in California "highway 1."

It was light fog on my first pass through here but still worth stopping but it was perfectly…read morebeautiful on the return the next day. This is a stunning beach and I'm so glad that I made the stops. Large parking lot that was almost empty both times in late May. I suspect that the location along CA-1 makes it rather packed and I hope you're able to get here and be at one with nature. Just sitting and being close to the Ocean and just... nothing. Perfect. [Review 17618 overall - 408 in California - 1137 of 2022.]

Freedom of Beach…read more Random beach we stopped at along our way up the PCH to Ft Bragg to stretch our legs and use the facilities. The Good: *It's nature and a beach all rolled into one! :) *Easy access off the freeway and free parking. *Restrooms (see below) *Decent views of the ocean but nothing we haven't seen before and better. *Waters seem fairly calm and would be a good place to kayak. The Meh: *No sandy beaches but full of smallish river rocks that make walking on the beach a chore. *Because of the aforementioned rocks not a place you can picnic or hangout, really. The Ugly: *The restrooms are the hole-in-the-ground type and obviously hadn't been pumped in a while. #CantUnseeThat TLDR: Nice stretch of coastline that would be great for kayaking but not much else beyond a leg stretch and pit stop--just don't look down... 0_o

Absolutely love this place!…read more I just wish that there were reviews on how to actually get to the trails/paved walking areas. So for all of you out there that are wanting a nice, serene hike/more of a walk and listen up! First, you're going to want to locate the Beachcomber motel (the green one). The , you're going to want to go one parking lot north of that. On your left side as you're heading north you will see a small parking lot. This is where you want to park. On another note, there is access to that pedestrian bridge through a residential area that is south of the motel. You'll have to map it because we did not come this way and I cannot advise you on how to get here. Lol. There are so many opportunities to walk along the ridge as well as paved areas that share space with all of the coastline motels. Your options are vast and you could easily get a 3 to 4 mile walk/run in this area. I'm actually not sure how much further down it goes because the pup and I got tired. Lol . If you're walking along the ridge, consider wearing pants. I don't recommend tights because there are a lot of branches and bushes that stick out on the dirt trails. Wearing some windbreakers or sweatpants is likely your better option. There are breathtaking views from anywhere you go along the coastline. Either from the paved road or from the dirt paths. I do recommend clothed toed shoes if you are going off the paved path. There are some parts where the sand is loose and other parts where is completely rock. This is where I wish I would've had my hiking boots on, but my running shoes held up just fine. As you get further from what we'll call motel row, it gets quieter and more serene. More importantly, there's less foot traffic and bike traffic. It is very congested by the bridge itself, both on the bridge and below on the beach. This seems to be one of the longest areas in Fort Bragg to walk or ride your bike. There are some cooler places south of Fort Bragg in Mendocino that are also worth exploring. ***PSA*** This is a special announcement for all you doggy owners. Please don't be that person that does not bring poop bags. Your dog is almost guaranteed to shit on that bridge and we witnessed it TWICE. Once from a very large dog, whose poop was kicked around. As well as a smaller dog, who had the case of the runs. Neither of those situations are flattering. If anything, they are embarrassing... for YOU. Forgot to add that parking is free and there is a restroom (use at your own risk).

This spot is nice. You can either walk the Trestle along the long path and have the view of the…read morePacific Ocean, or you can go down to the beach area and explore. There's not a bad phot spot around the whole area. Would love to go there again next time I visit.

This a beautiful place to take a short hike to the beach and take in some cool rock formations in…read morethe sea. Many come here to make structures with the driftwood. It's very accessible, there's a clean bathroom and gorgeous views

A total coastal sanctuary that's off the beaten path. When it comes to beaches on the Mendocino…read moreCoast, Greenwood State Beach is the key to peace and seclusion. It's located in the small town of Elk, so you can expect less crowds. Getting down to this beach requires a short but steepish hike from the parking lot. Keep this in mind if you plan on lugging anything down there. But it's well worth it to pack a picnic because you could literally spend your entire day here. There are restrooms right at the parking lot, and you'll be able to see the beach from the top of the hiking path. Once you make it down to shore, your eyes will be met with the most majestic views of the Mendocino Coastline. This is where shallow white waves meet soft white sand in essence. Where sunny blue skies and picturesque mountain top views conjoin. The sand dunes seem to be endless and you'll feel like you're almost in complete solitude. I love when I have beaches all to myself. Since it's located further down, it has that cove-ish feel, making it nice and warm during the summer. And yes, the water is teal! A beautiful teal. Super clear, clean, and beautiful. It's also the perfect temperature, so hop on it or have fun just getting your feet wet. I brought a bottle of Rosé and a sandwich to this beach and had an amazing little Sunday afternoon picnic here. It was so relaxing that I honestly didn't wanna leave. But alas, I had to get back home. It was my favorite beach stop whilst road trippin' down the Mendocino Coast. It's definitely out there, but if you're driving down the coast, I'd would absolutely recommend that you stop and explore this lovely beach.

Commonly referred to as the "Whale Trail," this 1.5 mile looped trail is just north of the Navarro…read moreRiver bridge and parallels the Pacific Ocean. There was a parking lot and a trailhead. The trail is rated as "easy" and I had no trouble. I did not walk too much of it - just enough to get to the ocean and enjoy the somewhat overcast view this afternoon. Note that there are some cliff edges here and there. Use caution and stay back. Leashed dogs are permitted. I did not see many other people walking today. [Review 17617 overall - 407 in California - 1136 of 2022.]

If you are up for an adventure this is it and the best part is that its free. First you have to…read morecross the Little Rock Cemetery to get to the trail that takes you to the ledge of a giant sink hole. If this doesn't feel like an adventure to you yet then find the hole in the safety fence, locate a rope that is tied around a tree and climb down to the little beach below. After all of that and your still feeling brave then enter the dark cave which leads you to the crashing waves. This cave would be absolutely perfect for some kind of sea monster movie because it is big enough for a giant sea serpent. I'm totally afraid of heights but I'm so glad that I was brave enough for this memorable adventure. Who said you can't rappel down to the sink hole wearing a pink pencil dress?

Hard to find but worry it. No signage on the street. Just walk through the cemetery and you'll see…read morethe trail. Someone has conveniently laid ropes to help you climb down to the cave. Careful. It's slippery and the drop-offs a bit scary. close. Little trails take you to the waters edge. We were the only ones there. Beautiful view. Only 40-45 minute stay max. Worth it.