Mendocino Headlands State Park
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A visit to the Mendocino Headland State Park is set to impress both for its natural beauty, and the plethora of activities one can follow at the park. From hiking, to swimming, to surfing, to nature and whale watching, it is no wonder why it is such a popular location.
A walk through the park presents mesmerizing coastal views, characterized by massive rocks and cliffs jutting out of the ocean. The park has multiple paths moving over the cliffs, to bolder routes towering over the coastline. Visitors can follow a 6.4km in an out trail, which boasts outstanding views surrounded by stunning wildlife. The trail is fit for all capabilities and is great for bird watching.
The park’s beaches are popular on their own merit, with the most notorious being Big River Beach, on the southern side of Mendocino, which can be reached through a steep trail or from the highway.
Sun baiters try to access more concealed beaches a quieter retreat, while surfers seek the best spots to ride the waves. The area is also a popular fishing spot, and since its equipped with a boat ramp, it is also easy to go for a boating trip around the area. Big River Beach, is part of The Big River Wetlands, which in 2002, were added to the Mendocino Headlands State park, to create 7400 acres wildlife area.
The Mendocino Headlands State park knows its birth to 1974, with the aim of retaining the area’s natural habitat. Visiting the Historic Ford House, the visitor center for the park is a good place to start to learn more about the area. The house was built by Jerome B. Ford, who is regarded as the founder of the city. This museum provides an insight to the backstory and history of Mendocino, through old photos, and exhibits. There is a scale model of the village dating back to 1890. There are also various informative videos related to the village, which can be seen at visitor’s request. Visitors can also follow informative walks, about the history and Mendocino’s flora.
For the past 20 years, every July the Mendocino Music Festival attracts large audiences, with orchestras and bands playing different genre. In winter wildlife watchers flock to the park in hope to spot the Grey whale migration.
A visit to this state mark is wort while and equally remarkable all year round. In spring, the park’s flora is bursting with wild flowers, while in summer the gorgeous beaches make it very appealing, especially as the weather tends to be cooler that other areas in California. The park is equally beautiful in autumn as nature’s auburn colors, contrast the scenery, and in winter watching the sea crush against the buffs is equally spell binding as it is hypnotic.
