I have discovered about 30 (so far) great picnic spots on the Mendocino Coast. In future posts, I add to our growing list. Choosing a favorite spot is difficult when just about anyplace you go to picnic will be a treat. But those featured here are the best of the best for their location, beauty and photo opportunities.
1. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse – you sit on picnic benches next to this restored 1909 lighthouse (one of a handful still operated by the U.S. Coast Guard as federal aids to navigation) – and look out to sea. The lighthouse is located in the 300-acre state owned Point Cabrillo Light Station & Nature Preserve. Actually, picnic tables and benches are scattered around the preserve. Besides picnicking, Point Cabrillo offers hiking trails, bird watching, marine wildlife and history exhibits and a gift shop lighthouse. If you can’t get enough of the place during the day, you can stay overnight at the Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo, located in the original Head Lightkeepers Residence. One of the amenities is a nighttime lighthouse tour by innkeeper and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary lightkeeper Jim Kimbrell. No entrance fee. Park at the visitor center and walk .5 miles to the lighthouse. Restrooms available. Wheelchair accessible.
Location: about 3 miles north of Mendocino Village and 6+ miles south of Fort Bragg on Point Cabrillo Drive.
Supplies: Harvest Market at Mendosa’s (Lansing Street in Mendocino) or Mendocino Deli (Ukiah Street) across from the Mendocino Post Office. Or if you come from Fort Bragg, try the delis at Safeway or Harvest Market. You also can buy all the fixin’s (no deli, just off the shelf stuff) at Caspar Beach State Beach on Point Cabrillo Drive on the way to the lighthouse.
2. Russian Gulch State Park Bluff Picnic Area – This is a spectacular and relaxing setting with shade and sun and a short walk to a blow hole, a natural cave with no roof (open to the sky). The force of the waves entering the cave creates a huge spray of water, blowing it out the top. You can stand above the blow hole, surrounded by a fence, and enjoy the show. Or you can, lay on a blanket in the sun or walk to the campground and hike one of the many trails. You pay a day use fee then drive a short distance to the bluffs overlooking Russian Gulch Beach and the Pacific Ocean. Barbecues are available, so consider bringing charcoal briquettes and something to grill.
Alternative picnic sites in the park: follow the North or River trails to the Russian Gulch Waterfall where there are two benches that will each seat four people. There you can sit among the redwoods and ferns and watch the water cascading over a 40-foot high cliff. But the waterfall is a popular place and there is no guarantee a bench will be available (since there are only two). You can take a chance or simply take the North Trail from the campground – few people travel this spectacular trail – and find a place to sit on a log in the forest somewhere along the way.
Location: on Point Cabrillo Drive just off Highway 1, 1 mile north of Mendocino Village.
Supplies: (see above)
3. Pacific Star Winery – the only winery on the Mendocino Coast, located about 20 minutes north of Fort Brag. You can sit on benches on high cliffs that give you a sweeping 180+ degree view of the ocean, from Fort Bragg to the Sinkyone Wilderness. Pacific Star makes a multitude of wines and most of them are available for tasting.
Supplies: The Harvest or Safeway Market deli’s in Fort Bragg; the market in Cleone, less than a mile north of the entrance to MacKerricher State Park or the market in Westport.
4. Ten Mile Beach /MacKerricher State Park – as the name implies, this is a long stretch of sandy beach with easy access at Ward Avenue off Highway 1. Although this is part of a state park, there is no parking entrance fee. As beautiful as it is, there are relatively few people who walk more than a half mile onto the beach. Grab your knapsack, load it with food and drinks and head down the beach for a mile or more, find a warm spot in the sand dunes or sit on a driftwood log. There isn’t a more beautiful beach anywhere on the California Coast.
Supplies: Fort Bragg (see above) or Cleone Market, just a half a mile south of the Ward Avenue left turn which takes you to the parking area near Ten Mile. The park also offers free wi-fi, which you can access for free within 200 feet of the visitor center.
5. Big River Beach/Mendocino Headlands State Park – this ever changing sandy beach, a new addition to Mendocino Headlands State Park, is where the Pacific Ocean meets the Big River right below the historic village of Mendocino. How many people are present depends on the weather. On a sunny day, you’ll see people digging in the sand, walking along the shore, collecting driftwood, playing volleyball or just hanging out people-watching. Midweek or anytime the weather is not calm and sunny, you’re likely to find the place all to yourself. From the beach you can launch kayaks, go surfing, walk in the woods up the old logging road or fly a kite. You also can collect driftwood and build a fire (no permit required), so bring your hot dogs, marshmallows and other fixin’s for samores.
Supplies: Harvest Market on Lansing or Mendocino Deli or Corners of the Mouth market across from the post office on Ukiah.
Bruce’s Best Bets: if you want something different for lunch, check out Lu’s Kitchen on Ukiah Street, just off Lansing in Mendocino Village.
