The natural beauty of Mendocino County is enhanced by its many beaches and
parks. These areas provide visitors with a wealth of recreational activities
suitable for a variety of ages. Mendocino recreation is best accomplished
outside in the fresh air, where the scenery is spectacular and the opportunities
are many.
These Mendocino parks and beaches are located in various regions of the
county, so each offers something a little different, from whale watching to
giant redwoods. Which you choose to visit will depend on your preference for
activities and the region of the county you're visiting.
Top Parks and Beaches in Mendocino
Schooner Gulch and Bowling Ball Beach State
Beach
Manchester State Park
Navarro River Redwoods
State Park
Gualala Point County
Park
Point Arena Cove
Lake Mendocino
Resources For The Area
Learn about
lighthouses along the coast
Go camping at Westport State Park
Kayak at
the Gualala River
Coastal Mendocino Beaches and Parks
Along the stunning coast of Northern California, you'll find a host of Mendocino
State Parks, Beaches, and Reserves, from Manchester in the south all the way to
the northern town of Westport.
Manchester State Park
Beginning on the south coast, Manchester State Park offers beaches, dunes, and
grasslands with plenty of ocean frontage. Salmon and steelhead fishing is a
favorite activity here. The coastal wildflowers in the park are magnificent and
you might even spot a tundra swan or two.
Van Damme State Park
Further up the coast, the Van Damme State Park offers a scenic trail system,
pygmy forest, and paved roads for jogging and bicycling. A favorite activity
here is abalone diving, and visitors can also rent kayaks and explore coastal
wildlife and local sea caves.
Around Mendocino
Mendocino outdoor activities are plentiful in the two parks located near the
village of Mendocino - The Headlands and Woodlands State Parks. Located near
downtown Mendocino, Headlands is accessed from the mouth of the Big River south
of town. Hiking and jogging trails are plentiful, and in winter, the park
provides a site for whale watching. The Woodlands Park is 7 miles inland from
the village and is in the heart of Redwood country. It was built by FDR's
Federal Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps and
remains a tribute to their hard work.
Nearby Russian Gulch State Park offers swimming, tide pool exploring, diving,
hiking and biking trails, and rock fishing.
MacKerricher State Park
In Fort Bragg, you'll find the beautiful MacKerricher State Park, which features
a variety of habitats including beach, bluff, headland, dune, forest and
wetland. Fishing in the park's two freshwater lakes is quite popular here as is
horseback riding. This is a good whale watching spot as well.
Inland Parks
The Navarro River Redwood State Park in the Anderson Valley offers picnicking,
swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Also in the middle of the
Anderson Valley, Hendy Woods State Park boasts a warmer, less foggy environment
as compared to those parks located on the coast. Twenty-five picnic groves are
located on the pristine banks of the Navarro River and there are two miles of
hiking trails for guests to enjoy
Montgomery Woods State Reserve, near Comptche, is one of the most
remote of California's 31 redwood parks and offers both redwood groves and fern
forest. It's a terrific place for a picnic and a hike after lunch.
Mendocino Recreation
While there are all sorts of things to do in the state parks, hiking remains the
most popular activity. Mendocino hiking trails carry visitors through a variety
of eco-systems and many trails offer markers that educate guests as to what
they're viewing while they hike. Biking and horseback riding remain popular
recreational activities as do fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.
Camping in Mendocino especially at the state parks, can be quite
affordable and the scenery is stunning and peaceful. Some parks and beaches
offer tent camping only while others have RV facilities.
Welcome to the Mendocino County Recreation guide, we offer a complete source of Recreation in Mendocino County.
