M endocino c oast s outh coast: : a nchor Bay

As you travel north from Gualala, you’ll find the beautiful and secluded village of Anchor Bay. It has a rich and colorful history. Prior to the mid-19th century, the Pomo Indians were the only inhabitants of the area. Settlers began trickling in after 1844, when the Mexican government made a large land grant to a man named Rafael Garcia. Garcia brought in cattle, and the area became used for ranching. Loggers came to the area in 1870, and a wharf was constructed and used for lumber products, fishing and occasionally rum-running during the Prohibition days.

Today, visitors enjoy Anchor Bay for its privacy and pristine beaches. Services available in Anchor Bay include a small shopping village, restaurants, lodging and a campground nestled amid redwoods and ferns. Anchor Bay offers relaxation, natural beauty and a peaceful, tranquil environment for spending vacation time along Mendocino’s South Coast.

9 Anchor Bay & Fish Rock Beach

When Sunset magazine ran a feature called “Top 10 Beaches of the West” a few years ago, Anchor Bay came in at number 3, just behind ‘Aliomanu Beach in Kauai, Hawaii, and well ahead of beaches in Carmel, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Located in the heart of the Mendocino

“banana belt,” the coastal village of Anchor Bay is warmer, with less fog and wind, than its surrounding areas. The seclusion of the bay, which is edged by the white sands of Fish Rock Beach and framed by majestic weathered bluffs, makes it popular with visitors and locals. Protected from the wind, the bay is a delightful place to fish, scuba dive, ocean kayak, surf, and boogie and skim board. It is also a great place for sea lion- and whalewatching, as well as beachcombing and tide-pooling.

In the town of Anchor Bay, visitors will find an old-fashioned village market that specializes in natural foods, a complete wine and beer emporium, restaurants, and other businesses. Accommodations in Anchor Bay include individual vacation rental cottages and homes, pristine housekeeping cabins, bed and breakfast inns and a campground.

WHERE: Between Gualala and Point Arena.

MORE INFO: Redwood Coast Chamber of Commerce, 707-884-1080 or 800-778-5252

10 Pelican Bluffs Preserve & Coastal Trail

This trail was completed in 2017 by the Mendocino Land Trust. It showcases all aspects of a coastal area, especially the beautiful white cliffs. Home to endangered Point Arena Mountain Beaver, this preserve offers more than 2 miles of public trails. Covering 73 acres, the Preserve hosts a creek recovering from cattle grazing, Bishop pine forests, wetlands, and meadowlands. A scenic sampling of coastal overlooks that (seasonally) provide a great vantage point for whale watching. Steep cliffs provide stunning views, and also require hikers to stick to the trail for safety. Leashed dogs are welcome on the trail. Parking (somewhat limited) is available at the south end of the trail. WHERE: Located about 1 mile south of Point Arena, look for a Coastal Lookout sign. Highway 1 mile markers: 14.3 at the north end, and 13.5 at the south end.

MORE INFO: mendocinolandtrust.org/trails/southern-coastal-trails/pelican-bluffs-trail/

11

Schooner Gulch State Beach & Bowling Ball Beach

Local lore has it that Schooner Gulch got its name back in the era of sailing ships when a mysterious schooner ran aground there at dusk one evening, only to have vanished without a trace by the following morning. Today, Schooner Gulch State Beach offers its visitors not only great fun and exciting activities, but also some of the most magnificent views anywhere. Spend the day here hiking, picnicking, fishing, sunbathing, surfing or windsurfing.

Just north of Schooner Gulch you’ll find Bowling Ball Beach, named after the numerous prehistoric spherical boulders that cover the beach and are visible only at low tide. Such formations grow in underwater environments when materials collect around a nucleus, and are shaped by water action as it moves them around.

WHERE: About 3 miles south of Point Arena, mile marker 11.41 (Schooner Gulch) offers the closest parking area. Look for a sign that says, “Park Facing South Only.” There are two trailheads, about 100 feet apart. The southern trailhead takes you through a dense forest for a short quarter-mile hike to Schooner Gulch Beach. The northern trail goes to Bowling Ball Beach, and gets somewhat steep. You’ll want to go at low tide, so be sure to check a tide table before setting out.

MORE INFO: 707-937-5804, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=446