Coast Ecotourism Guide
Mendocino County residents are fiercely protective of their forests, coastline, rivers, air, vineyards, and food. We’re the center of the raw food movement. “Organic” is every chef’s middle name. Our county proudly became the first in the U.S. to prohibit the growth of genetically-modified organisms (GMO). Sustainable agriculture is a widespread practice among our vineyard owners and 25 per cent of 15,500 vineyard acres are certified organic.
At the same time, we want people to enjoy the Mendocino Coast — a world class environment for the ecotourist.
Bird Walks - The Mendocino Coast Audubon Society (MCAS) conducts many birding field trips throughout the year. Details can be found in the Calendar of Events. Every month two Bird Walks are held at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, led by an MCAS member. These are scheduled year round on the 1st Saturday at 9:00 AM, and the 3rd Wednesday at 8:00 AM, of each month and are held light-rain or shine. For information call 964-6835.
Pelagic Trips - the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society sponsored pelagic trips for 2007 are scheduled for Sunday, May 20 and Sunday, September 23.
Horseback Riding: beaches, redwoods, river
Lari Shea‘s Ricochet Ridge Ranch - organizes Redwood Coast riding vacations, daily trail rides, weekend riding holidays, international riding vacations; riding adventures for the disabled.
Ross Ranch offers private horseback riding on Manchester Beach and through the redwood forest just east of Elk, California, about 40 minutes from the Village of Mendocino.
Canoeing/Kayaking: ocean and river
Catch a Canoe and Bicycles Too - rent or buy kayaks or canoes for trips down Big River, the only major undeveloped navigable estuary remaining in Northern California.
Cycling: beaches, forest, state parks
Try this trip: biking in Jackson Forest.
Fort Bragg Cyclery - a member of the Adventure Cycling Association, Fort Bragg Cyclery rents bikes and provides maps of area trails, customers bikes and gives website links to special biking events, such as the July Bastille Day ride and the Caspar Classic.
Catch a Canoe and Bicycles Too - rent or purchase top rated bikes; mechanics customize bikes; trail maps provided for state parks and Jackson State Forest.
Surfing: something for beginners and veterans
Subsurface Progression Dive Shop - a complete Dive Center and Surf Shop offering abalone diving equipment sales and rentals, SCUBA gear, Kayak sales and rental; also locations and advice provided.
Camping and Conservation: Into the Woodlands
Mendocino Woodland Camp Association - The Mendocino Woodlands is a group camping facility that is also a National Historic Landmark. A place for an uncommon vacation, as described by the Woodland’s website: “For a truly special, different experience, come and spend your vacation at the Mendocino Woodlands State Park. Here is a place of great beauty where dreams take shape via music, dance, self-realization and nature studies. You can join any of several group camps that offer studies in traditional music, dance, songs and oral traditions of America and many other countries, as well as other activities studying various cultures, including crafts, language, history and cuisine. Families and adults come here for an exciting and educational experience in the redwoods. The many, diverse events promote cultural understanding and are just plain fun.”
Wildlife Preserves
Dr. Frank and Judy Mello have won acreditation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for their private animal preserve, the B Bryan Preserve in Point Arena, which is home to Sable, Roan and Greater Kudu Antelope as well as rare and endangered Grevy’s Zebra and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra
“Only the very best zoos and aquariums can meet tough Association of Zoos and Aquariums standards,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy, in a press release provided to MendocinoFun.com. “The leadership and staff of the B Bryan Preserve are to be congratulated for the hard work and commitment that they put into the process to become certified.”
Originally started in West Point, MS in 1999 by Dr. Frank and Judy Mello, B Bryan Preserve moved to Point Arena, CA in 2006. B Bryan Preserve is a private preserve dedicated to the breeding and conservation of endangered African Antelope and rare Zebra species. The animals are allowed to roam in large fields. There is also a carriage house on the property that may be rented for lodging. The preserve is open to the public by reservation only.
Alternative Transportion
Mendo Wheels - as you turn off Highway 1 onto Main Street in Mendocino Village, you’ll find this outlet for ZAP (Zero Air Pollution) line of ecologically-friendly electric transportation, including bicycles and scooters. They are for rent and sale. You can drive around the coast, save money on gas, and reduce your carbon footprint.
