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.

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.]

Big River State Park in Mendocino is absolutely stunning, one of those places where you're reminded…read morehow much nature is showing off along this coast. With the river winding through redwoods and opening out toward the ocean, the scenery feels almost unreal in its scale and beauty. There are trails everywhere, great spots for kayaking, hiking, or just sitting quietly and taking it all in. The whole Mendocino area is packed with parks, and this one is a standout for its grandeur and sense of peace. It really feels like a place to slow down and appreciate how incredible the natural world is.

I've visited Mendocino many times and somehow have never spent time at this wonderful (and free)…read morestate park. The entrance is off Highway 1, just outside Mendocino's shopping district and headlands. There are big wide beaches where the river meets the ocean which are visible right away. However, if you make a left at the bottom of the hill and drive a short ways to the end of the lot, there's a wonderful trail that meanders alongside the river. This former logging road is wide and gently graded (at least for the first 2.5 miles I walked on it.) It's great for bikes and more casual "hikes." It goes, I believe, about 7 miles inland so you can go as far as you'd like and turn around. It's a mellow journey and one more about the sites and sounds along the trail and the general peacefullness of the area, rather than a specific destination. You weave along the river and eventually in to the redwoods, where the water views become filtered through the trees. Along the way, we saw a few banana slugs and enjoyed a mostly shaded trail. I would love to come back with my bike and do the whole trail, end to end. The start of the trail had more people, which then tapered to just a few bikers and runners after the first mile or so. Seems to be a local's spot and they're very lucky to have it!

We had an absolutely magical time camping here last weekend. The park itself is rather easy to get…read moreto as soon as you get to the coast coming from the Bay. The Rangers were lovely, the site host was very kind, we stayed at site 27 which was shielded from the wind, they had clean bathrooms and showers, a camp fire program on Friday night and sold wood onsite. We got to do a lovely hike, hang out at the beach, go to the Noyo fish Company in Fort Brag... it was great! We were also warned about a black bear who had been visiting recently. But alas did not have an encounter. However, we did find raccoon hand prints all over our table cloth and bear box. So do use your bear box!!

Returned to Van Damm State Park for a second time and already looking forward to future visits…read more I've yet camped at the upper campsites. Only experienced the two lower loops closest to the entrance as well as the beach across the highway. It's an overall great campground. The only concern would be your neighbors and the mosquitos at sites that are along the creek. Most if not all sites are RV friendly. Anything larger than a mid-sized travel trailer, you might want to be selective. For trailers that are low profiled, stick to the lower loops to avoid scraping. Opted to never pull a trailer here because I'm not a fan of towing on highway 1. Typically, the host would drive around the campground delivering firewood at 12 dollars a bundle. Otherwise, they are available at the host's designated site.

We have been coming to this area for vacation off and on for years, but had never heard this…read moreexisted. Found it only on Yelp looking for local parks. The directions on Yelp were perfect to find the trail - right behind Pt Arena city hall. We did not see much signage, nothing to flag the trail entrance. Just look for a wooden gate behind and on the right side of city hall; it looks closed but pushes open. The trail is skinny, so two people cannot walk abreast. After a nice forested start, the trail goes through lovely open fields. The views then open up to some tremendous coastal cliffs with crashing waves. We did not take it very far, as my knee was aching, so I decided to not push it. But it all looks wonderful, and look forward to returning and seeing more. We also stopped by the part of the open space by the Point Arena lighthouse. Turn onto lighthouse road, and it's 1.4 miles up the road on the left, a dirt parking area. Fantastic coastal scenery here, bring your camera. The first location remains relatively unknown, but on a summer weekday the lighthouse area had a decent number of people. (There is a single pit toilet at the lighthouse parking area, but no lock.)

Pros: - We went with my mom who has arthritis and it was…read moreflat and a great spot for us to walk as a family - Incredible views!!!!! - Lovely from both sides - we hiked the south part one morning and the north part another morning Cons: - Windy! I'd recommend a windbreaker or jacket, even on a warmer day. If you have longer hair, bring a hat or headband.

Diamond in the Bluff…read more Nice coastal trail located about one-mile south of DT Point Arena along Hwy 1. Keep an eye out for a sign that says "coastal viewpoint," as the parking lot isn't specifically mentioned. The Good: *Amazing views of the coastline and bluffs *Entire trail is an easy 3¼miles from start-to-finish *Dirt trails are in pretty good shape w/ minimal poison oak *Free parking The Meh: *Small parking lot with officially four parking spots and one handicapped spot--which doesn't make sense because the trails aren't really handicap accessible, but I digress... The Ugly: *The first 1/2mile heading north in the Pelican Bluffs Trail is noisy and far from serene as you parallel the freeway until you start to turn west. You can avoid this and cut right to the chase by taking the "return" trail and go directly west to the Blufftop Trail. TLDR: Nice trail with amazing views and worth a trip if you're staying in the area and looking for a quick hike, but not worth seeking out as a destination hike.

One of my favorite Coastal Walks…read more Pelican Bluffs is a great little loop (~2.5 miles round trip if you do the full loop) that is dog-friendly with a small, shady parking lot just off highway one. This trail provides epic views. For those will limited mobility, or injured knees, there is a flat option that provides gorgeous views along the meadow a top the bluff. For those who do not mind a bit of elevation gain, you can complete the loop down to a lower overlook where you can spot pelicans (hence the name), whales, and neighboring cows (those are fun too)! Just remember, what goes down must come back up ;) Can get windy in the later afternoon, so recommend mid-morning strolls for optimal weather!

Beautiful trail. Look for the markets to stay on the trail when crossing the golf cart paths…read more You'll pass through a beautiful grotto with a waterfall and end at a gorgeous private beach. Lots of wildflowers and trees to observe, we saw a red legged frog on our hike today! Easy to walk.

Seriously one of my favorite hikes in Northern California! As a NorCal native, I can tell you that…read morehiking the Shakota Trail to the Grazini Winery at the aptly named Winery Point is a "must do" if you're in the area! ++ The hike its self is fairly easy! Not a lot of elevation change to be had or difficult scrambles. Just an easy going wide packed-dirt trail. ++ Trails are well maintained! Just be cautious after a rainy season, as mud can be an issue. ++ Gorgeous views of Lake Mendocino as you hike along the shoreline. ++ What remains of the structures at the winery are covered with an assortment of creative graffiti and street-art. My personal favorite is Cat-Dog! ++ Great spot to pack in a picnic or for photos! Grazini Winery is def a wonderful hidden gem not to be missed in Northern California's beautiful wine country! **Caution: Some portions of the remaining structures are VERY close to a steep drop-off. Use caution when navigating the area!

I've done this hike twice now both times the long way from the damn side. The winery is beautiful…read moreand a must see while it still stands.

Wright Peak Summit Trail is a beautiful hike in Lake County. If you are in the Kelseyville area, I…read morewould highly recommend it. The trail is about 7.5 miles in length with a steady incline. The parking lot is a decent size so we didn't have any issues with parking. The entire trail is wide and gravelly on a lot of the trail. It feels spacious and well maintained. Be careful going downhill due to the gravel and it is best to have hiking shoes and not running shoes to prevent from slipping. There is a decent amount of bathrooms along the way, which is great! There is limited shade so if you go in the summer, consider a hat. Also if going in the warmer months, I would come early to beat the heat. Bring lots of water to stay hydrated and possibly a picnic lunch to enjoy when you reach the top! You will see a historic cabin site along the way. The best view is from the top, which gives you panaramic lake views. It's truly beautiful and such an amazing reward when you reach the top! The views are spectacular!

Great hike! Easy trail but steady incline will have you puffing. Beautiful woodlands. Fabulous…read moreviews from the summit.