Top Things to do in Mendocino County
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10 Things to do in Mendocino County That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Mendocino County, United States including Mendocino Coast, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Montgomery Woods State Reserve, Russian Gulch State Park, MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino Headlands State Park, Pacific Star Winery, Fort Bragg Coastal Trail, Noyo Headlands Park, Glass Beach.
Restaurants in Mendocino County
1. Mendocino Coast
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 756 reviews
A scenic drive along California's Pacific coastline offering beaches, historic lighthouses and old-time fishing villages.
Reviewed By Martysfo - San Rafael, United States
Great cliffs, fog and quiet mark this coast. It is cold and chilly, even in August. Yet it is a must see so one can step back in time to how California used to be. A bonus is the trip up through the Anderson Valley Wine Region on the way to the coast from the Bay Area.
2. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,300 reviews
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens offers everything from colorful displays to thunderous waves. The mild maritime climate makes it a garden for all seasons, attracting gardeners and nature lovers. With manicured formal gardens, a dense coastal pine forest, native flora and habitats, fern-covered canyons, camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias and conifers, heaths, heathers, and flower-filled coastal bluffs overlooking the blue ocean, the garden is a jewel on the Pacific Coast. Your visit is a show of support for our non-profit botanical garden and its mission!
Reviewed By Gardenxoe - Eureka, United States
We’ve never been disappointed by this garden. This time the rhododendrons were in full bloom and it was also a great time to see native wildflowers. We love the transition from beautiful display gardens to native plants (as you head to dramatic ocean overlook). Another good time to visit garden is in July/August, when the dahlias & heathers are blooming.
3. Montgomery Woods State Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By karinitabonita - Elk Grove, United States
It’s about 3 miles long. Very tall and beautiful trees and a creek. Gorgeous views!! It was 16 of us ages 4 to 75. We all enjoyed it. Trees are just all different and beautiful to look at. Highly recommended if you’re in the area.
4. Russian Gulch State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 291 reviews
This park's view of the Mendocino headlands is enhanced by a spectacular array of wildflowers.
Reviewed By barfiemermaid - Costa Mesa, United States
Main trail to the falls is closed so we had to take the north trail which adds a few more miles. We did almost 11 miles with altitude. It was a beatiful hike almost completely shaded. The cliffs on the north side was gorgeous as well as the sink hole!
5. MacKerricher State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 774 reviews
MacKerricher is a great place to observe whales, and it also provides a habitat for several rare plant species.
Reviewed By GinkgoPhoto - San Francisco, United States
This review is about the Surfwood campsite experience, for families. We booked site 124, which is on a small loop. These loop sites (121,122,123 and 124) are excellent for families with young kids who want to scoot and bike around. They are spaced away from each other. There is a path from this loop towards the beach, a mere 5 minute walk away. You can see the ocean from all the sites. 124 has the best shade, as it includes a large grove of trees (good for hammocks). The ground is a little lumpy, but not noticeable with sleeping pads. 123 is probably the best site in the loop, having some shade, and the shrubbery creates a cozy, enclosed nook, with trail access to the lake straight out of the campsite. No-one's trekking through to access the lake; it's a private path. Good site if you're bringing a kayak. A grove of trees behind the site provides a play area for kids. 122 and 121 have less shade but are just fine. The spigot is at 122. This was perhaps the LEAST buggy of my camp experiences, despite lake proximity. No-one received any mosquito bites! There were a few yellowjackets; just a mere rare nuisance. No raccoons nor squirrels. The ocean was loud at night. The night sky was amazing. Bathrooms were very clean, spacious and airy. The shower is quarter operated, $1 worth of quarters buying you 5 minutes. There are longer increments for more quarters. The water temperature was at least warm-ish, ranging to hot. The lake has a marshy border, with lots of plants between the path and the water. There is a path that goes alongside the lake by Surfwood camp, but it is quite overgrown. There are fish in the lake, and one can go fishing with permits and a kayak. Not possible to fish from the shore due to shrubbery. Lots of blackberries here! Kids had the best time picking them. Quick walk to the beach. This beach is NOT good for swimming. The surf is rough. Experienced, wet-suited swimmers only. However it's perfectly fine for sitting upon. The sand is grainy, like tiny pebbles. Not the kind of tiny sand that gets into every nook and cranny. The nature area boardwalk is also close to the beach. The boardwalk is lovely and scenic, with access to tide pools. FANTASTIC tide pooling! Even at +1ft low tide, there was a lot to be found. Bring your high rubber boots or water shoes. Get out far enough and you'll find huge green anemones, bat sea stars, ochre sea stars, crabs, sculpins, abalone shells, and even gumboot chiton! Tide pooling was the highlight of my visit. No complaints. Surf wood campsite is a clean, safe and fun place to enjoy the outdoors in times of Covid and non-Covid.
6. Mendocino Headlands State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
A scenic and appealing rugged promontory along the California coast.
Reviewed By Abacus3 - California, United States
Beautiful views and a lovely walk. It's also a great whale watching spot. Take your binoculars and a picnic, you'll want to stick around.
7. Pacific Star Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Perched right on the edge of the wild blue Pacific, Pacific Star has welcomed guests for 30 years. Classic as well as rare and unusual varietals and blends are our specialty, with grapes sourced from Mendocino County's heritage vineyards. We encourage guests to bring a picnic and experience amazing forces of nature and incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. Whales pass by just off the rocks and sea and bird life is vibrant. Our friendly and casual tasting room awaits your visit! Open 12 to 5 Thursday through Sunday, closed Monday through Wednesday until April 2020.
Reviewed By noraj809 - Upper Lake, United States
Went here with my Sister for some wine tasting and picnic lunch. The man that helped us with our tasting was extremely knowledgeable and very nice, bought a bottle of the Chenin Blanc and enjoyed the picnic lunch we brought at the nice tables with a beautiful ocean view, the man that worked there I wish I had gotten his name, came over to all the tables and asked how everyone how they were doing and even offered some whale watching tips. Definitely one of the nicest time I have ever had at a winery, so relaxing. The wine is good too. I read some of the other reviews complaining about the rules for kids, I have a tip leave them at home get a babysitter, no kid wants to go to a winery. Definitely going to visit again.
8. Fort Bragg Coastal Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 226 reviews
Reviewed By diannacoulson - San Diego, United States
We rented bikes and rode along the coastal trail. It was breathtaking and very relaxing. It's a well kept trail and good for all ages. If running or walking is your thing, then do that, but do it, you won't be disappointed.
9. Noyo Headlands Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By TravelGoddess61 - Chico, United States
The views are stunning, the headlands hiking, or the biking, or strolling along the ocean are all just a must see. Goes now from the Glass Beach area in Fort Bragg north and south with paved paths, or headlands hiking. It also begins in Fort Bragg near the Safeway just past. Every view is different and a must do on a clear day with views of the ocean forever and sometimes fishing boats too. Bring your binoculars to see when it is clear too. You will see birds, and we saw pelicans diving when we went. The rock formations are amazing, and the surf was turquoise blue when we went and clear water. It can be cold or windy but was warm and sunny when we went. It is easy to socially isolate but bring your mask required when you cannot. There are restrooms only at the beginning and free parking too. It is a must do while you are in the area and you can walk forever or a short ways.
10. Glass Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,092 reviews
The sand at this unusual beach is covered with interesting-shaped and colored rocks and stones.
Reviewed By F3930VXsarahg
Glass Beach is very attractive - a short walk takes you to tide pools, rocks to climb, cliffs to watch the surf, for whales and to gaze North to the Lost Coast. A former city dump, bits of colored glass are about all that is left. Walk from town, or park in lot. From here, there are paved trails for walking/biking going South to Noyo Harbor/Pomo Bluffs Park, and North to MacKerricker State Park, camping, board-walk to seal watching, a trail around Lake Cleone (walk only), then on to Ward Avenue and Ten Mile River's long beach and dune complex. Restroom at trail head.
