A couple of texts to get set up the afternoon before which made things easy on pickup in the…read moremorning. A nice fleet of single and tandem kayaks. Seats were all in good shape, life jackets too. Once we were in the water we set out up the river seeing and enjoying all the sounds and smells of a working harbor. Paddling for a bit the water changes from salty and brackish to clearer emerald green water through the forest. We paddled up river for a little over an hour and then turned around and let the river do most of work on the way back just enjoying the sights and sounds. We didn't see a soul on the way back. Dropped the boats, sent a text to say we were back and off we went! Such a beautiful chill day!

There are endless breathtaking views along this stretch of Highway 1 in the Fort Bragg and…read moreMendocino areas, but not all of them offer you a place to take it in outside of the car....safely that is. This turned out to be such a one, and a convenient one at that, with just enough parking for us to squeeze into a space and go play in the sand. It turned out to be one of many cool spots we found last weekend on our extended weekend trip. What a cool beach this is! We were lucky to arrive in late afternoon, with overcast skies that made for a dramatic backdrop. I could have stayed here all day! This side of the road beach was a first time visit for me and I would definitely return. The bf climbed the boulder on the beach and thus was named King of the Rock. And there's nothing you girls can do about it. He wondered about climbing the boulder out in the ocean sometime and I said can you not? He is brave. I swoon. I noticed there were plenty of seashells among the seafoam and enjoyed looking at them while watching for incoming surf. If you are a dog there are an assortment of sticks for you to choose from. Two lorge logs were positioned on the beach for sitting, and we did have chairs we brought but didn't end up using them because we fancied some fresh beyond fresh seafood and didn't stay long enough for a heckin relax. Beware that the way you park determines if you'll be able to see who is coming around the corner when you're leaving. If you come in too fast and don't think about it, you won't be able to see crap when it's time to leave. Not that I did this or anything hahaha. There's not but a few feet between the parking spaces and the road. Don't worry, I was able to maneuver around another vehicle to exit safely, but had it been in a busy day in non rona times, that could have been ugly.

This is one of our favorite beaches when visiting the North Coast. It's a little harder to get to,…read morea little further way from where most people stay and very limited on parking, but it's a spacious, sandy getaway with plenty of glorious natural features. The beach is long and spacious, with majestic cliffs surrounding and "Whale Rock" at one end. The name is self-evident once you see it. My wife and I have taken long strolls with our son along the soft sand with the cold water lapping at our feet. It's an especially great spot for a picnic when the weather is right. During our last visit, we came on a weekday and virtually had the entire place to ourselves! There are some downsides, but I won't discount stars because the beach in itself is worth it. The biggest being the parking - a narrow strip of about ten spaces along a busy curvy road. If you can't find a spot here, which is usually the case if you don't come early, you'll be forced to find a spot further up the road in a culvert and hike back. Not the best situation, but again, the beach is wonderful!

A hidden gem on the Mendocino coast. This beach was once a secluded beach, where only locals would…read morecome to abalone dive, fish and lay out. A few years ago the city of Fort Bragg made this nice beach known to the public. They made a nice trail that takes you down to the beach, next to some amazing houses. Located 1/4 of a mile from Ocean Dr. It's an easy walk or jog through a wooded area down to some steps that will lead you to the beach, or you can stay on the trail and it will take you to a breath taking view of the ocean,once there you will get a 330 degree view of the Pacific Ocean. Make your way to the rocky beach. Be careful walking down the stairs because they get slippery. Once on the beach you can enjoy a little fresh water waterfall, some fishing and ab diving or you can just sit and enjoy the view. Oh and be sure to wave at my Grandpa, who lives in one of those amazing house !!!

My fave hike in Fort Bragg. Best to go at dusk, it's magical... especially the Eucalyptus Grove…read more Not too long or difficult of a hike to the coast but the trail entrance is a little challenging to find.

this is a great little hidden gem in ft. bragg. whenever i'm in town i like coming here for food…read moreb/c i know it's fresh out of the water, literally! there are multiple restaurants here, my favourite being the noyo river grill which has a view of the sunset. my other fave is the noyo fish company, right at the bottom of the hill along the water. some of the vendors also sell freshly caught fish so you take it home to cook! this area is never super busy and definitely less touristy than downtown or the beach area. highly recommend to drop by here for lunch and or dinner when visiting ft. bragg!

What: - View of Noyo Bay…read more - Noyo River - Fishing - Kayaking - Seals - Star Fish More Info: - Limited free parking just next to the harbor - Ample free parking at the mouth of Noyo Bay - Free admission On a clear Saturday morning, while on the way to the Pomo Bluff State Park in Fort Bragg, curiosity about harbors drew us to take a detour to the Noyo Harbor. While driving south from Fort Bragg, we took the Noyo Point Road just before the bridge and it took us down all the way till we reached the harbor. Several boats were docked to the harbor and there were a few waterfront restaurants around. Noyo Harbor - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/noyo-harbor-district-fort-bragg?select=I8XJAp8tOFHvvlfl3s2hzA#dlLqhQO7Rp-OgkGNCiggrA Noyo means "under the dust". Once upon a time, between late 1800s and early 1900s, Noyo Harbor was a very busy port. Almost every ship that came to San Francisco stopped by Fort Bragg at Noyo Harbor. The first railroads were laid in Fort Bragg in the year 1916, so until then all the transportation to this place was via the ocean. Mouth of Noyo Bay - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/noyo-harbor-district-fort-bragg?select=I8XJAp8tOFHvvlfl3s2hzA#I8XJAp8tOFHvvlfl3s2hzA We drove a little past the harbor to reach the mouth of the Noyo Bay. There is ample free parking here and several folks around were getting prepared to kayak in the wide Noyo Bay. As we walked on the stone structure that protruded into the Noyo Bay, we noticed several starfish and seals. Right behind us was a spectacular view of the Noyo Bay bridge and the harbor. Bridge above Noyo River - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/noyo-harbor-district-fort-bragg?select=I8XJAp8tOFHvvlfl3s2hzA#EgjChnIL1ZZJVFeeIZFRFg The water here was murky and for the life of me I could not understand why people would kayak here when there are so many other beautiful beaches in the Fort Bragg/Mendocino coastline. We spent some time here and took off to our next destination - Pomo Bluff State Park

We visit this beach 2-3 times a year. Perfect at low tide. We are able to bring our dog and let him…read moreoff leash with caution. Beautiful views all around.

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've been going to this beach since before I could remember! The sand is so soft, warm, and silky…read more When the tides are out, there is this hidden cove/arch way area which is so beautifully secluded & great for photo ops or being with nature. Further to the left side of the beach are various jagged, giant rocks with some little passage ways. Our family dubbed this beach as "Sunset Beach" because they are un-real at this beach. The best is to climb the hill on the right side of the beach, & watching the sunset from there. One bummer is the amount of shell/wolf-life poaching. I remember being a child, wading through the shallow waters on the far left hand side of the beach, & there were tons of whole sand dollars everywhere. Now, people are too focused on the capital/social media "likes". Please, if you can, refrain from taking stuff in the beach.

Favorite Fort Bragg Beach by far. Close to Road, and great for little ones. The rock tunnel is so…read morecool! Sand can get really hot! Bring flip flops! The hidden beach is truly hidden. You have to walk around to go find it! Today I saw a small shark and sand dollars! Great day at the Beach!

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!