December 18, 2008 at 7:15 pm
by nancy
· Filed under attractions, biking, birding, ecotourism, events, family fun, hikes, parks, pet-friendly, walks
The public is invited to attend a dedication ceremony on December 20 at 10 am as California State Parks proudly announces the installation of 11 new interpretive panels along the boardwalk at Laguna Point, part of MacKerricher State Park.The panels are designed to inspire and inform visitors about the natural and cultural history of Laguna Point and surrounding areas. These dynamic panels describe and depict a variety of topics including Native American traditions, logging history, harbor seals, gray whales and more. Also included along the boardwalk is an important display on how to stay safe on the shore. These are the newest and arguably the best interpretive panels that State Parks has anywhere on the Mendocino Coast, and we are very excited to share them with locals and visitors alike! Entrance to the park is free, so plan on bringing your families to enjoy a stroll and stop by Laguna Point at 10:00 am for the ceremony. MacKerricher State Park, 3 miles north of Fort Bragg, California, on Highway 1. To reach the dedication ceremony location, enter at the park’s main entrance, where you see the large wooden sign, and turn left at the second stop sign. Follow the park road past Lake Cleone and under the bridge to the Laguna Point Parking lot near the ocean. For more information on these exciting new panels or the dedication ceremony, please contact Park Interpreter Fred Andrews at (707) 961-0471.
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August 8, 2008 at 9:44 am
by dff
· Filed under attractions, biking, drives, family fun, favorites, general, hikes, museums, parks, pet-friendly, walks
Cover of Mendocino OutdoorsOn Saturday, August 9, there will be a book signing for my new book at the Mendocino Hotel from 4-6 pm. The wine will be poured by Goldeneye Winery — their wonderful pinot noir.
This event is for the release of the Third Edition of Mendocino Outdoors, the best guidebook about the Mendocino Coast. The new edition is a huge improvement over the past editions in all ways: it’s been completely revised (rewritten, really), and expanded to cover the entire Mendocino Coast. The new edition also has a lot more photography in it, to show you why you might want to go see something. I also ended up revising all of the maps, in addition to new ones.
You can see more about the book, including sample pages, here on the site.
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February 22, 2007 at 9:13 am
by bruce
· Filed under biking, diving, favorites, hikes, parks, walks
Long before I moved to the Mendocino Coast, Russian Gulch State Park, one mile north of Mendocino Village, was my favorite state park. I camped there at least 20 times over 25 years. That’s saying something when there are so many great state parks in Northern California.
What’s so great about Russian Gulch?
How many state parks have a waterfall, a beach, redwoods, picnic area on a bluff overlooking the ocean, a blow hole, bike trail up a fern canyon and a limited number of quiet campsites, many completely private from your neighbor?
My favorite hike is the North Trail. It’s 2.3 miles long (one-way) and climbs up short switchback through ferns and redwoods, then levels off for a very secluded walk toward the park’s waterfall. Most people stay on the paved bike/hike trail below. It’s fine, too. But if you want to get away from other campers and hikers, only a fraction of visitors use it.
When you come to the end, you can go left .7 miles to the waterfall, or take a 2.3 mile alternate loop to the waterfall. 
From the beach you can launch you dive raft or kayak or sit in the evening and watch the sunset. Forget about swimming since the water is around 54 degrees.
There are several places along the coast with blow holes, sea caves without roofs that shoot a huge spray of water upward when a wave hits. Really a mesmerizing sight. The blow hole is west of the picnic area, before you drive down to the campgrounds.
It’s not difficult to see why Russian Gulch has been my favorite park all the years I lived in the Bay Area.
Today, I live just two miles from Russian Gulch and find every opportunity to hike or walk to the falls. Locals have a secret, one-mile route to the falls, but it’s a bit complicated to explain. And, if I tell you, then it’s no longer a local secret.
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