a parking area opposite Airport Rd., Pudding Creek, and Glass Beach Drive.
MacKerricher State Park campground includes more than 140 developed sites for RVs or tents; some campsites are wheelchair accessible. Also available are group campsites and 10 walk-in sites set in a forest. Leashed dogs allowed in campground. Visitor center is at the main park entrance. Beach wheelchair available.
▪ Nature walks and campfire programs
▪ Surf fishing
▪ Horseback rides can be arranged locally
WARD AVENUE: Just N. of MacKerricher State Park main entrance. Parking and access to sand dunes and miles of beach, both north and south. Seasonal restrictions may be in effect to protect nesting habitat of the western snowy plover.
▪ Popular surfing spot
▪ Haul road trail access
LAKE CLEONE: End of Mill Creek Drive. Freshwater lake is ringed by a 1.3-mile-long trail. Non-motorized boats allowed. Picnic area overlooks the lake.
Birds seen year round at the lake include great blue herons, ring-necked and mallard ducks, and osprey
▪ Freshwater fishing
LAGUNA POINT: End of Mill Creek Drive. On a clear day the headland offers an unimpeded view of the mountainous coastline to the north.
▪ Look for harbor seals on the rocks and gray whales migrating along the coast, November to early May
▪ Wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leads around Laguna Point
HAUL ROAD ACCESS: From Ward Ave. to Glass Beach Dr., Fort Bragg. The old timber haul road now serves as a paved multi-use trail through MacKerricher State Park. The trail, a segment in the California Coastal Trail, can be accessed from the end of Ward Ave., at Laguna Point, and from a parking area off Hwy. One, 100 yards south of Airport Road. There is also trail access at the north end of Glass Beach Dr. in Fort Bragg.
Mendocino County
Fort Bragg
PUDDING CREEK BEACH: Hwy. One at Pudding Creek, Fort Bragg. Wide sandy beach beneath the old wooden trestle. Part of MacKerricher State Park.
GLASS BEACH: W. end of Elm St., Fort Bragg. Path to beach starts at Glass Beach Dr., at the end of Elm Street. Roadside parking. Part of MacKerricher State Park.
▪ Look for surf-polished bits of blue, green, and red glass
FORT BRAGG COASTAL PARKLAND: Hwy. One, 10 mi. N. of Mendocino. Fort Bragg’s shoreline between Glass Beach and the Noyo River mouth was dominated for a century by its sawmills. By 2003 all mill operations ceased. Re-use of the area is pending, perhaps to include a route for the California Coastal Trail and public open space.
▪ The historic Skunk Train offers excursion trips through the redwoods between Fort Bragg and Willits; call: 707-964-6371
NOYO HARBOR: Off Hwy. One, 1.8 mi. S. of Fort Bragg. Commercial fishing harbor, with restaurants, marine-related businesses, and nice views. Lawn and public viewing area overlooking fishing boats is next to Ocean Fresh Fish Market. A sandy beach is at the far west end of Harbor Dr., beyond the Hwy. One bridge that passes high overhead.
▪ Sport fishing trips can be arranged
▪ Public boat ramps are at the ends of Basin St. and South Harbor Dr., on the south bank of the Noyo River
POMO BLUFFS PARK: Cliff Way, off Ocean View Dr., .2 mi. S. of Noyo River Bridge, Fort Bragg. Grand views of the Noyo River mouth from atop the bluff, trails, interpretive displays. Call: 707-961-2827.
HARE CREEK PUBLIC ACCESS: S. of Bay View Ave., Fort Bragg. Walk south from College of the Redwoods parking lot. At Bay View Ave., turn west for 100 yards and look for signed trail-head. Trail leads south, then east, then south again to sandy cove beach. Private property is adjacent; do not trespass.
MENDOCINO COAST BOTANICAL GARDEN: 18220 N. Hwy. One, Fort Bragg. Flowering shrubs and perennials of great variety are set among pine trees. Paths, some wheelchair accessible, lead to the ocean bluffs; electric carts for use by guests are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fee for garden entry; no fee for beach access. Open year round except major holidays. Call: 707-964-4352.
▪ Towering rhododendrons bloom in spring
▪ Picnicking on the grounds is allowed
▪ There are stunning views of rocky coves and surf
BELINDA POINT: 17410 Ocean Dr., S. of Fort Bragg. Turn west from Hwy. One onto Ocean Dr., eight-tenths of a mile south of the Hwy. 20 intersection. Continue another eight-tenths of a mile to the signed trailhead on the right; shoulder parking. A half-mile-long trail leads to a bluff-top walkway and stairs to a rocky cove beach. Call: 707-962-0470.
Mendocino County
Point Cabrillo Area
PATH TO BEACH: Ocean Dr. near Hwy. One, 2 mi. N. of Caspar Creek. Park on west side of Ocean Dr., near Pine Beach Inn sign; walk through shore pines to part of Jug Handle State Natural Reserve. No facilities.
JEFFERSON WAY: W. of Hwy. One, 1.8 mi. N. of Caspar Creek. At west end of Jefferson Way, trails lead to pocket beaches within Jug Handle State Natural Reserve.
JUG HANDLE STATE NATURAL RESERVE: E. and W. of Hwy. One, 1 mi. N. of Caspar Creek. Sandy cove beach; trails lead inland to unusual pygmy forest. Call: 707-937-5804.
▪ Brochures for self-guided tour at the picnic area
JUGHANDLE CREEK FARM AND NATURE CENTER: E. of Hwy. One, .9 mi. N. of Caspar Creek. Nonprofit nature education center offers overnight stays in a red Victorian farmhouse, cabins, and a campground. Private rooms, with shared bathrooms and kitchens. Path to beach. The farmhouse, campground, and some trails are wheelchair accessible. Call: 707-964-4630.
CANTUS COVE: .1 mi. from Pacifica Dr. and Caspar Rd., Caspar. From Caspar Rd. walk west 200 yards to 45350 Pacifica Dr.; trail-head is unsigned. Head north past a split rail fence on your right and cypress grove on your left, then west to scenic overlook.
CASPAR CREEK VISTA POINT: W. side of Hwy. One at Caspar Creek. Southbound
