L itt L e R iveR & A L bion

L itt L e R ive R

Little River began life as a mill town. Its first lumber mill was built in 1864, and next to it arose the shipyard of Thomas Peterson, whose vessels won prizes for their design and craftsmanship, including first prize in San Francisco at the Fourth of July Regatta in 1876. On average, three prime trees were used to build each ship. The mill closed in 1893, then burned down in 1910.

Little River Cove offers one of the most popular beaches on the Mendocino Coast. The protected cove is a great place for water recreation.

The cove is also near the entrance to Van Damme State Park, one of the coasts most-loved parks. It offers beautiful hiking trails in the lush Fern Canyon trail system along the fern-carpeted floors of the Little River Canyon. You will feel like a giant in the Pygmy Forest with its mature cypress and pine trees that grow between 6 inches and 8 feet tall, or you might decide to follow your nose to skunk cabbage at the Cabbage Patch bog. Van Damme offers several camping options and year-round guided coastal kayak tours.

A L bion

In 1853 Captain W.A. Richardson built the first lumber mill in the town of Albion, on the river flats below the high wooden trestle bridge that spans the Albion River. Albion, an ancient name for England, was chosen for the town in memory of Sir Francis Drake landing in Northern California in 1579 and naming it “New Albion.”

Today the town features restaurants, lodging, a fully equipped grocery store and deli, and other amenities for the traveler. The area around Albion is rich with sheltered coves that are excellent for tide-pooling, hiking and exploring. Albion Ridge Road, which travels east of Hwy 1, affords the traveler panoramic views of the area’s rolling hills as they slope down to the ocean. It is an excellent place to watch red-tailed hawks, and in winter, the migratory tundra swans on their way to the Garcia River, south of Albion.

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Golfing at Little River Inn

For a memorable coastal golfing experience, try the award-winning regulation nine-hole golf course at Little River Inn. With three placements and dual greens on holes 7 and 9, you can play it like an 18-hole course.

Tucked among the hills and redwoods, it comes complete with such unexpected challenges as stunning ocean views that vie for your attention and deer, frogs, blue herons, raccoons or other wildlife gamboling, hopping, leaping, flying or otherwise traversing the putting greens. It is, in fact, an Audubon-certified sanctuary in addition to being the only golf course on the Mendocino Coast. To complete the picture there is a driving range, putting green and a fully stocked Pro Shop. Little River Inn has stunning rooms and a fabulous restaurant to retreat to after a round or two. Inn guests receive a 10 percent discount on greens fees. Inn guests also have free access to Little River Inn’s two lighted championship tennis courts. The only uniforms required are shoes with non-marking soles; diamond tennis bracelets are optional. Fees for non-guests are very reasonable, and lessons are available from a certified tennis pro.

WHERE: 7901 N. Hwy 1, Little River

MORE INFO: 707-937-5667 (Pro Shop/Golf Course), 707-937-5942, 888-INN-LOVE, LittleRiverInn.com

20Pygmy Forest at Van Damme State Park

Northern California is famous throughout the world for towering redwood trees that grow to be hundreds of feet tall. There are other trees in the area, however, that cannot grow to a height of even 8 feet, or a thickness greater than an inch wide. Indeed, there are mature, cone-bearing cypress and pine trees there that stand only 6 inches high! To experience this Lilliputian and Brobdingnagian contrast for yourself, take a trip to Van Damme State Park’s Pygmy Forest, located off Hwy 1, 3 miles south of Mendocino. Extremely acidic soil low in nutrients is believed to cause the stunted growth of these cypress and pine trees, found less than a mile away from huge redwoods. It’s amazing that these trees can manage to remain alive and grow at all under such adverse conditions. When some of these tiny trees have been cut down, more than 80 to 100 growth rings have been carefully counted. If you are in the area and have already been wowed by the remarkable redwood towers that soar into the heavens, you should also check out the Pygmy Forest and be astonished by the very existence of these tiny trees.

WHERE: In Van Damme State Park off Hwy 1, 3 miles south of Mendocino. MORE INFO: 707-937-5804, Mendocino.com/?id=510, www.parks. ca.gov/?page_id=433

Kayak Mendocino Sea Cave Nature Tours

How would you like to be a marine mammal for an hour and a half, and explore the Mendocino coast’s incredibly rich and diverse sea caves? It’s easier than you might think. You’re already a mammal. For the marine part, just hop aboard a sit-on-top ocean kayak, and take one of Kayak Mendocino’s professionally guided sea cave tours in Van Damme State Park.

Here you will join harbor seals, sea otters, giant anemones, kelp and other marine flora and fauna as you glide through the water safely and happily. Van Damme is a special place offering protection and easily navigated channels. You will stay within these areas to ensure an easy ride, while still being able to observe wave action on outer reefs.

No kayaking experience is necessary, and tours are safe and enjoyable for all ages. All instruction and equipment are provided, including wetsuits, booties, life jackets and helmets. Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations are preferred because space is limited. Tours leave Van Damme State Park at 9am , 11:30 am and 2 pm , with reservations daily.

WHERE: Van Damme State Park, 3 miles south of the town of Mendocino.

MORE INFO: 707-813-7117, KayakMendocino.com

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Van Damme State Park

One of the most popular recreational destinations in the area, Van Damme State Park straddles Hwy 1 where Little River empties into a protected cove that is perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling. There is an outer reef that keeps out swells most of the time even when other locations are blown out. The surf there is usually calm enough to allow launching boats and sea kayaks from the beach. Hiking, camping and fishing are also very popular at Van Damme.

Daytime parking and picnicking at the beach are free. Most of the park’s 2000+ acres lie east of the highway, up verdant Fern Canyon. The park offers 74 beautiful and shady campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. A paved trail follows the Little River 2 1⁄2 miles up the lovely canyon, connecting with a dirt path that climbs to the Pygmy Forest. For the more adventuresome hiker, there is an extensive system of trails that meanders throughout the park over 10 breathtaking miles. Whether your stay is short or extended, chances are good you’ll find an unforgettable adventure at Van Damme State Park.

WHERE: 3 miles south of the town of Mendocino on Hwy 1.

MORE INFO: 707-937-5804, 707-937-0851, 707-937-4016, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=433; Campground reservations: ReserveCalifornia.com, 800-444-7275

M endocino c oast

M endocino Village

M endocino Village

A trip to Northern California would not be complete without a stop in the quaint, charming Village of Mendocino. This historic town, which sits on rugged bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, features dozens of shops, art galleries and bed-and-breakfast inns, and is host to a number of special events every year. These include the Mendocino Whale Festival in March and the Mendocino Music Festival in July.

The beauty of the town is what first impresses visitors. The New England-style architecture is the influence of homesick pioneers who “came ’round the horn” in the mid19th century to be a part of the town’s lumber boom resulting from the Gold Rush. San Francisco was a booming city in need of building materials, and harvesting the coastal redwoods abundant around Mendocino provided a source of prosperity for people in the small town. Then after the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, timber from the Mendocino area was shipped south to help rebuild the city. The area’s history is evident in its buildings, and the town of Mendocino has been designated a National Historic Preservation District.

E v E nts & F E stivals

MORE INFO: Mendocino.com/eventfestival.html

• O ngoing: Second Saturday Art Walk

• January: Mendocino Crab Feasts

• M arch: Mendocino Whale Festivals, MendocinoCoast.com/ whale-home

• M ay-October: Mendocino Farmers’ Markets, MCFarm.org/ mendocino.html

• M ay: Mendocino Film Festival, MendocinoFilmFestival.org;

• J uly: Mendocino Music Festival, MendocinoMusic.org; 4th of July Parade & Events

• November: Mendocino Wine & Mushroom Festival, VisitMendocino.com

Visitors will be delighted in and around this picturesque town. The area offers deep-sea fishing, whale-watching, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking and horseback riding. Trails lead from the headlands down to beaches where visitors can search for seashells or explore the numerous tide pools. However, beachcombers and hikers should always keep an eye on the ocean. Large “sneaker waves” are common, and can sweep unsuspecting hikers off the rocks and out to sea.

The Mendocino Hotel on Main Street is an attractive inn that was built in 1878. It still serves the same function today that it did more than 100 years ago, and its rooms are furnished with antiques, fireplaces and historic memorabilia. The Kelley House Museum on Albion Street is another historic building popular with visitors. Built in 1861, the Kelley House has period artifacts and photographs, as well as a lovely pond and gardens.

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Historic Village of Mendocino

In July of 1850 the Frolic, a two-masted clipper ship bound for San Francisco from China, shipwrecked a little north of present-day Mendocino. A salvage crew was unable to recover the cargo, but did discover vast stands of old-growth redwood trees. A mill was built, and the village of Mendocino grew up around it. Perched on bluffs painted with wildflowers and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, some of the homes and shops from the 1850s still stand today, although most of the structures are Victorians from the second half of the 19th century. There are also examples of New England Salt Box, Gothic Revival, Italianate and vernacular (defined by local style) architecture. Many of these historic buildings are now on the National Register of Historic Places. Be sure to drop by the Ford House Museum and Visitor Center, open daily from 11am to 4 pm , where you can take a look at a model of what the town looked like almost a century ago. Also visit the Kelley House Museum to learn more about the history of this charming village. Kelley House Museum is open Friday through Monday 11am to 3 pm Visitors can enjoy a Historic House and Building Tour that begins there every Saturday and Sunday at 11am , and lasts 1- 1⁄2 hours.

MORE INFO: Ford House Museum, 45035 Main St., Mendocino, 707-937-5397, MendoParks.org/visitor-centers; Kelley House Museum, 45007 Albion St., Mendocino, 707-937-5791, KelleyHouseMuseum.org

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Mendocino Film Festival

Since 1916 the Mendocino coast has starred in 17 silent movies and over 40 “talkies.” Notable among these are East of Eden, The Russians Are Coming! The Russians are Coming!, The Dunwich Horror, The Uninvited, Summer of ’42, Forever Young and The Majestic, as well as the long-running TV series, Murder She Wrote. So what better place to host a film festival? The event’s relaxed and intimate feel offers visitors a great chance to interact with filmmakers from around the world while enjoying their work. Set in the natural splendor of the Mendocino coast, this gem of a film festival has become a favorite of the cognoscenti.

The 2023 festival is scheduled for June 2-5. Follow the updates on Facebook and the web page for updates, Mendocino film facts, and remote and in-person viewing opportunities.

The Mendocino Film Festival offers a wealth of cinema in a variety of genres. Check their website for more information, including venues, show times and ticket information. MORE INFO: 707-937-0171, MendocinoFilmFestival.org and on Facebook

25 Mendocino Music Festival

Established in 1986, the Mendocino Music Festival is a magical blend of fine music by outstanding performers in one of the most enchanting sites anywhere. Evenings include orchestra concerts, Big Band, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, jazz, world, folk, bluegrass and popular contemporary music.

The next edition of the Mendocino Music Festival is slated for July 15-29, 2023. Follow their Facebook page or check their website to see the future plans for bringing live music back “to the edge of the world.”

WHERE: Main Street in the town of Mendocino.

MORE INFO: 707-937-2044, MendocinoMusic.org

26 Russian Gulch State Park

This is a gem of a park, offering almost a mile and a half of ocean frontage with great beaches and tide pools, plus more than 10 miles of lush, forested hiking trails and plenty of horseback riding trails. You’ll find a beautiful picnic area perched on a cliff overlooking a dramatic cove, spacious, well-laid out campgrounds with bathrooms and hot showers, a 3-mile long paved bicycle trail, and a 36-foot high waterfall that’s one of the park’s star attractions. Another highlight is the Devil’s Punchbowl, sometimes referred to as “the blowhole,” a partially collapsed sea cave 200 feet from the water’s edge that offers a stunning view of churning, surging waves 60 feet below you. The beach offers swimming, tide pool exploring, kayaking and rock fishing. Russian Gulch Creek Canyon is heavily forested. Altogether, Russian Gulch State Park’s 1,305 acres offer an ever-changing palette of natural beauty.

WHERE: 2 miles north of Mendocino on Hwy 1.

MORE INFO: 707-937-5804, 707-937-0497, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=432

27 Big River & Big River Haul Road

The Big River Unit of Mendocino Headlands State Park offers 7,400 wild acres for exploration. Acquired in 2002, it includes 1,500 acres of coastal estuary wetlands. You can swim, bike, canoe, jog, walk your dog (leashed) or hike along the beautiful Big River. The beaches along the river are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Big River’s lower 6 to 8 miles provide a wonderful boating experience. Private canoes, sailboats, kayaks and rowboats can put in at the primitive boat ramp at the eastern edge of the sandy beach just below the trailhead. Along Big River’s northern bank, Big River Haul Road provides a flat, wide, scenic promenade leading to nearby Jackson Demonstration State Forest and Mendocino Woodlands State Park. The trailhead is at the end of a dirt road that can be reached by turning east (inland) off Hwy 1 just north of the Big River Bridge. For a more serious walk, start in the village, cross the beach under the bridge and continue along the shore until you come to the gate at the trailhead. People are cautioned to stay on the main road; there are numerous dead-end logging roads and skid trails throughout the Big River Unit that make it easy to get disoriented and lost. You can also hike along the shore to find marsh and tidewater wildlife. The Big River protects, preserves and is home to great blue herons, osprey, wild ducks, river otters and over 27 endangered, threatened or special concern species of wildlife.

WHERE: Just south of the town of Mendocino. MORE INFO: 707-937-5804, MendocinoFun.com/big-river

28 Caspar Headlands State Natural Reserve & State Beach

The title of “State Reserve” in California is only given to areas of land that have outstanding or unusual natural or scenic value. Caspar Headlands State Reserve certainly fits that description. Located about 4 miles north of Mendocino off Hwy 1, this 3-acre reserve is located just south of the town of Caspar, and sits atop one of California’s most strikingly beautiful coastal bluffs. The reserve is characterized by sculpted rock formations and spectacular cliffs that provide dazzling views. It is also home to a magnificent array of wildflowers.

In order to gain access to the reserve, you will have to obtain a free entry permit from the Mendocino Sector Office, located across from Russian Gulch State Park.

Nestled adjacent to Caspar Headlands State Reserve just north of Mendocino, this dramatic stretch of coast offers a beautiful beach with swimming, boating, fishing and other popular beach activities. From it you can enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean meeting the headlands’ rugged cliffs and coastal bluffs. If you happen to arrive between November and June, you might get to see some California gray whales as they migrate. The headlands are among the most beautiful and awe-inspiring locations on the West Coast, and are well worth the trip. The weather can change unexpectedly, so it’s a good idea to wear layered clothing. Open from sunrise to sunset.

WHERE: South on Point Cabrillo Drive, past the RV campground, turn right on Caspar Drive to Headlands Drive. Parking is outside the reserve on Caspar Drive.

MORE INFO: 707-937-5804, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=444

29 Ford House Museum

In 1851 Jerome Ford made his way overland to the Mendocino headlands, looking for salvage from the shipwrecked Frolic, which had met its fate off nearby Pt. Cabrillo the previous spring. He found no remains — local Pomo indigenous people had beaten him to them — but he did discover vast stands of coast redwoods instead, and soon partnered with an eastern entrepreneur to establish both the town of Mendocino and a booming mill yard.

Jerome Ford and his wife Martha built a house on Main Street of the new town in 1854; today it stands as the Ford House Museum. It serves as the visitor center for the Mendocino Headlands State Park, offering both historic and current information about the Mendocino area. Open every day from 11am to 4 pm , the Ford House Museum exhibits models of 19th century oceanic vessels, logging tools, photographs, Native American relics and an elaborate model of the town of Mendocino in 1890. It also offers a wide selection of brochures, books and cards, as well as free seasonal lectures on area wildlife and changing seasonal exhibits in its gallery. History lovers will want to catch Heritage Days in May. Call for reservations for the Ford House Progressive Dinner held the first Friday in May, an annual benefit for the continued restoration of the Mendocino Headlands State Park’s historic visitor center and museum. Each successive course is served at a different historic Victorian treasure in Mendocino — the Kelley House, the Mendocino Hotel and the Ford House.

WHERE: 45035 Main St., Mendocino

MORE INFO: 707-937-5397, MendoParks.org/visitor-centers

Mendocino’s Original

Inspired by the Mendocino Coast’s natural beauty, our boutique lodge will take you on a journey towards peace and relaxation. Seafoam Lodge is our newly renovated 21-room hotel with sweeping ocean views and beautiful gardens. We graciously welcome our guests to sail away with us while creating moments and memories of a lifetime.

30 Annual Whale Migration, Whale Festivals

The annual migration of California gray whales takes them from their feeding grounds in the cold waters of the Bering Sea near Alaska to the warm waters off Baja California, Mexico, and back. Their young, called calves, are born in the protected lagoons of western Baja, and do not begin their trek northwards until they are about a month old. Unlike other whale species, California grays stay fairly close to the coast, often within a few hundred yards of shore. This means that twice a year (from November to February going south, and from February to June going north), visitors can observe whales from atop the Mendocino headlands.

To celebrate this happy occurrence, three festivals in honor of the confluence of whales and all things Mendocino have sprung up, typically on successive weekends in March: the Mendocino Whale Festival, the Little River Whale Festival and the Fort Bragg Whale Festival. This year, due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the March festivals have been cancelled. The Ft. Bragg festival has been tentatively rescheduled for Fall. Activities include food, beer and wine-tasting, art exhibits, whalerelated educational programs, nature walks, and whale-watching from the headlands, from chartered boats and from kayaks, plus lots more. Don’t miss the fun!

MORE INFO: Mendocino Whale Festivals, 707-961-6300, MendoWhale.com; 707-937-4700, MendoParks.org/whale-festival