Art Pulse with

40 World Famous Triangle Tattoo & Museum

While wandering around the sleepy North Coast town of Fort Bragg, consider a permanent souvenir from the stellar artists Mr. G, Niki Needles, and Nicola at Triangle Tattoo & Museum on Main Street. Climb up the bright red stairway to the museum and you will feel enveloped by the spirit, history and excitement of Tattoo.

Founded in 1986, Triangle Tattoo & Museum celebrates their 35th year of tattooing in Fort Bragg. One of only a few museums in the world dedicated to Tattoo History, this unique collection is fittingly housed in one of the town’s original Victorian storefronts. On display are striking, vintage exhibits of tattoo artifacts. Many cultures are represented including the Maori, Japanese, Native American, South Seas, European and American tattoos.

Mr. G & Madame Chinchilla are world-famous tattoo artists and historians quoted in the New York Times & other publications, and were featured in Discovery Channel’s 1st Tattoo documentary, “Tattoo, Beauty, Art and Pain.”

The Museum is free and open 7 days a week from 12 to 6 pm . Children are welcome. Triangle hosts many world-recognized visiting artists from around the globe. Dr. Lars Krutak, anthropologist at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History noted in his visit: “One of the few places in the United States where you can learn about the history of this ancient form of human cultural expression is at Fort Bragg’s very own Triangle Tattoo & Museum.” This is the place to meander and view for anyone curious about the art and history of tattooing. Educational video documentaries play daily… Be Art with a Pulse! WHERE: 356 B N. Main St., Fort Bragg • MORE INFO: 707-964-8814, TriangleTattoo.com

39 Pacific Star Winery

At Pacific Star Winery visitors are spellbound by the stunning views while enjoying an extensive selection of uncommon varietals and signature blends from Mendocino County’s heritage vineyards. The winery sits atop an active fault officially called the “Pacific Star Fault” named after the winery by geologists upon its discovery in 2006.

The winery’s cellar and tasting room sit over sea caves where the crashing waves below help to naturally filter the aging wine from its sediment. Because of its proximity to the ocean, salt from sea air gathers on oak barrels, and accelerates osmosis, creating unique wines. The atmosphere is casual, friendly and fun. Snacks are available if you decide to stay awhile, or you can pack your picnic basket and sit atop the cliffs as the waves crash and break on the rocks below; the winery’s spectacular site offers breathtaking coastal views. In the springtime this is the perfect place to see California gray whales pass by on their migration route.

Pacific Star has a comprehensive website where visitors can view photos of the winery and its beautiful location, learn more about its unique wine making process, seek out event planning, join the wine club for specials and discounts on wines you won’t find anywhere else, and check their tasting hours.

WHERE: 12 miles north of Fort Bragg at the 73.58 mile post on scenic Hwy 1 with easy RV parking. MORE INFO: 707-964-1155, PacificStarWinery.com

Inspired by the Earth

The

CA 95437 707-962-3038

41 Handle Spectacular Specimens at Beautiful Earth

Beautiful Earth offers some of Earth’s oldest and most beautiful creations — over five thousand select specimens of minerals, fossils and meteorites. Beautiful Earth also offers an extensive library, gem elixirs, gem beads, and Earth-inspired art. Beautiful Earth feels like a miniature museum, being overseen by a geologist/mineralogist and an active field paleontologist, with over fifty years of combined teaching, museum curation, and field experience between them.

Education is critical to the mission of Beautiful Earth. Children are welcome and are encouraged to touch. Place your hand into a 200 million year carnivorous dinosaur track from Massachusetts. Touch a ten pound 148 million year old dinosaur poop, or a complete 70 million year old Hadrosaur thigh bone as big as a child. Or hold a remnant of the core of a long dead planet from the main asteroid belt – and marvel that what you hold in your hands is actually 4.6 billion years old.

They offer only natural minerals, crystals, and fossils from all over the world. Specimens are priced from the most affordable, found in the eight-drawer “student collection” cabinet, to those of the connoisseur.

Minerals, Fossils, Meteorites & more Elegance on the Mendocino Coast ~ Voted into the TOP TEN HOTELS for ROMANCE by the members of Trip Advisor ~ Fort Bragg’s elegant lodging overlooking the ocean and harbor with replaces and hot tub along with a free deluxe continental breakfast. The North Cli Hotel o ers stunning views, fantastic service and amenities you expect. Soak yourself in one of the many Jacuzzi rooms overlooking the dramatic Mendocino Coast. Wrap yourself in one of our luxurious bathrobes while watching the waves lap up on the beach and the boats go in and out of Noyo Harbor. 707-962-2500 • 866-962-2550 1005 So. Main St., Fort Bragg, CA www.northcli hotel.net North Cliff Hotel Fort Bragg Photos courtesy of Beautiful Earth Spa • Healing Center Short Walk to the Beach and Shopping Center Near Skunk Train, Glass Beach, Botanical Gardens and Lighthouse weekdays w/some restrictions 20% OFF Two nights or more get Coast Inn and Spa 18661 North Highway 1, Fort Bragg 707.964.2852 • www.coastinnandspa.com Jacuzzi Suites with Fireplace • Eco-Friendly Rooms • Pet-Friendly Rooms • Picnic Area Kitchenettes • Himalayan Crystal Hot Salt Room • Outdoor Hot Tub • In-Room Massage Free Wi-Fi • Natural Healing Spa • Special Rates for Extended Stay, Vacation, Spa Packages

42

Bird-Watching with the Audubon Society

There are hundreds of coastal birds that frequent Mendocino County, and the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society invites you to see them for yourself. Join the MCAS for endlessly fascinating walks and field trips at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, MacKerricher State Park, Van Damme State Park, Virgin Creek and elsewhere.

The walks at the Botanical Gardens are regularly scheduled for the first Saturday and third Wednesday of each month, with free admission for Botanical Garden members and special reduced rates for nonmembers. Generally the Saturday walks are designed with beginners in mind and the Wednesday walks for more experienced birders, but anyone is welcome to join in, regardless of experience. Also, binoculars are available for those who need them.

Field Trips are scheduled for the second Saturday of each month. The locations, local birding hot spots, are selected to take advantage of seasonal birding opportunities. Check the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society’s calendar on their website for times and information.

MORE INFO: MendocinoCoastAudubon.org, Audubon@mcn.org; GardenByTheSea.org

43

Surfing the Mendocino Coast

Whether you are an experienced surfer or a beginner, you will find waves to suit you on the Mendocino coast. Many of the area’s more experienced surfers will be found at Point Arena Pier (35 miles south of Mendocino Village) and Virgin Beach, which is just north of Fort Bragg. Look for “overhead” and “double overhead” (literally higher than your head, or twice as high as your head) waves at these locations. Places more suited to intermediate-level surfers include Blues Beach (south of Westport); Pudding Creek (two blocks north of Elm Street in Fort Bragg) and Wages Beach (north of Westport). In Mendocino, Smuggler’s Cove (south of Big River Bridge) has waves that are bigger than they appear at first, and should not be attempted by beginning surfers. Caspar State Beach (on Point Cabrillo Drive off Hwy 1) is better suited for beginners. You’ll need a wetsuit, the water is in the low 50s year-round so you’ll probably also want a hood and booties. If you’re a beginner, learn surf etiquette by talking with local surfers. Surfboards, wetsuits and equipment are available to rent or buy at local surf shops and they can give you information you need, along with lessons, demos, trips and tours. And know your limitations, “Get swept away by the beauty, not by the waves!” MORE INFO: Mendocino.Surfrider.org

Fort Bragg on the Mendocino Coast

Due to COVID, some amenities may not be available

A Fort Bragg Favorite Since 1985

44 Railbike Excursions

There’s now an amazing new way to experience the Redwood Route — on the back of a custom-built railbike. These two-person railbikes sit securely on the track, allowing passengers to make their journey in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere unlike anything else found on a railway. These railbikes are quiet enough that it’s likely you’ll see a great collection of animals, including blue herons, osprey, egrets, deer, river otters, and more.

Travelers depart as part of a small group, with a trained guide overseeing everything and leading the way along the track. Since the track is owned and operated exclusively by the Skunk Train, they are able to guarantee no trains or other traffic along the route. The guide is there to help out should anything come up, but these bikes are incredibly easy to ride — perfect for all ages and skill levels.

They even come with an electric assist — ideal for taking a relaxing breather while still moving along the track, or for a little bit of extra oomph while you make yourself up the gentle grade on the return trip. The 7-mile trip isn’t too tiring, so the electric motor probably won’t be necessary for most people — but it can certainly provide a nice break along the way. The excursions are about an hour long, and currently depart only from Fort Bragg.

WHERE: (Depot) 100 W. Laurel St., Fort Bragg

MORE INFO: 707-964-6371

TAKA’S Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar

45

MacKerricher State Park

MacKerricher State Park offers miles of magnificent rocky coastline, beaches, dunes, bluffs and headlands that give way to forests, seasonal streams, grasslands, and a lake. Some of California’s richest tidepools form during low tide along the shore near Laguna Point, where offshore rocks attract black oystercatchers and provide a rookery for harbor seals.

The park encompasses nearly 2300 acres, over 450 of which are designated “underwater park,” preserving some of the best and most unique of California’s natural underwater ecosystems. Inglenook Fen, the last remaining coastal fen in California, supports salamanders, rare insects and shorebirds. Waterfowl and wading birds frequent Lake Cleone and Mill Creek; in fact, more than 100 bird species have been observed in MacKerricher State Park. A convenient boardwalk wanders past Lake Cleone, and another, the wheelchair-accessible Laguna Point Boardwalk along the beach, provides sweeping vistas of the coast and five overlook platforms for whale and harbor seal watching. The historic Haul Road runs through much of the park and is great for hiking and bicycling. Most of it is wheelchair-accessible as well. The park also offers opportunities for camping, horseback riding, fishing and abalone-diving, although some of the campgrounds are closed in the winter. Glass Beach, at the southern end of the park, is noted for brightly colored, wave-polished glass pebbles, remnants of broken glass dumped there between 1906 and 1967 (see page 34).

MORE INFO: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=436, 707-964-8898; Camping reservations,1-800-444-7275 or ReserveCalifornia.com

SkunkTrain.com

46 Historic Skunk Train

Since 1885 California’s renowned Skunk Train has been transporting passengers along the world-famous Redwood Route. The views on this scenic stretch of track are nearly the same as they would have been more than a century ago — the result of visionary forest stewardship and a dedication to the natural wonder of the redwoods. Some of the trees along the route are more than 1,000 years old, and reach more than 300 feet tall. They have awed passengers both young and old riding on the back of the Skunk for generations, and remain as delightful today as they were for those first riders.

The train offers two points of departure — from the iconic fishing town of Fort Bragg on the stunning Mendocino Coast, and from the inland city of Willits, nestled among the redwoods and sweeping hills of the 101 corridor.

From Fort Bragg you’ll explore the Pudding Creek, an estuary along which the first tracks were laid in the 1880s. The trip is beautifully scenic, with a large verdant waterway that still features old wooden pilings from long-forgotten trestle bridges. A bounty of wildlife calls the estuary home as well.

Wherever you choose as your point of departure, you’ll experience the same great connection with a living, breathing piece of history, and discover the majesty of the California redwoods in a way unlike any other. The Skunk Train operates year-round, is child and dog-friendly, and offers snacks and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) on board the train. Throughout the year there are seasonal event trains, and for most of December it transforms into the Magical Christmas Train, an experience featuring caroling, hot cocoa, an interactive story, and a visit from Santa Claus.

WHERE: (Depot) 100 W. Laurel St., Fort Bragg

MORE INFO: 707-964-6371, SkunkTrain.com

47 Gloriana Musical Theatre

Since 1976, Gloriana Musical Theatre (originally The Gloriana Opera Company) has entertained Mendocino County audiences with blockbuster Broadway musicals, musicals starring young performers, and one of a kind special productions.

Throughout the year, the company offers workshops to improve technical and acting skills, and provides an annual scholarship program for students furthering their education in the performing arts. Call or go to their website for more information about workshops, tickets and upcoming shows, including if any have been postponed due to concerns about COVID-19.

Gloriana.org

WHERE: Eagles Hall Theatre, 210 N. Corry Street at Alder Street, Fort Bragg

MORE INFO: 707-964-SHOW (7469), Gloriana.org

48 Noyo Headlands Park

Fort Bragg’s 104-acre park is situated atop Fort Bragg’s bluffs overlooking a very dramatic coastline and ocean. The park includes 5.6 miles of multi-use trails with many stunning ocean views and dynamic views of the town and mountains beyond. Various stages of the park were opened between 2015 and 2018, and the park is now fully connected with access points at Cypress Street (south) and Elm Street (northern side of town). The park includes many community favorites such as the beautiful Otsuchi Point overlook, the stunning Johnson Point and Johnson Rock, Glass Beach, and the Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center, brought to you by the Noyo Center for Marine Science. The trail also connects to the North, across the Pudding Creek Trestle, to MacKerricher Park and south across the Noyo River Bridge to Pomo Bluffs Park: all together a distance of 7.5 miles. The multi-use trail provides the first public access to Fort Bragg’s rocky coast since the 1800s. Views are spectacular, and Noyo Headlands Park has already gained the enviable reputation of being one of the best places anywhere to view stunning sunsets. The park includes 18 unique hand crafted artist benches and five stunning murals.

Dogs are allowed off leash in the dog park (near the Cypress Street parking lot), but otherwise must be kept on leash.

The park was reclaimed from an industrial mill site formerly owned by GeorgiaPacific. Before the restoration, much of the site was covered with asphalt, which was removed, and the entire area was restored to its natural state. You can still see remnants of the old Mill Site to the east of the park. The $12 million project was funded through a combination of Prop. 84 funds, California State Coastal Conservancy funding and ATP funds from Caltrans.

WHERE: Access to the park is via Elm Street at the north end and Cypress Street at the south. Parking and admission are free, and the park is open 24 hours a day.

MORE INFO: city.fortbragg.com/666/Noyo-Headlands-Park; Noyo Center for Marine Science, 707-733-NOYO (6696), NoyoCenter.org

49 Jackson Demonstration State Forest

Sitting in the spray of a delightful waterfall on Chamberlain Creek Trail or staring out at the uninterrupted view from the top of Riley Ridge after a long hike through old redwood forests on the remote Volcano Point Trail, it’s easy to forget the bustling history of the land in Jackson State Forest.

A booming industrial logging center from 1862 until 1947, the land now serves as 50,000 acres of peaceful respite for visitors who come to see the forests. Maps and brochures available from the California Department of Forestry in Fort Bragg or online at the CalFire website (given below) show the location of trails where you can learn about the ecology, history and management of the forest or go mushroom hunting, hiking, biking or horseback riding. With your own bottled water and appropriate permits, overnight camping is available in rustic and equestrian campsites for a small fee. Leashed pets are welcome, and swimming is allowed in the rivers, although fishing is not.

WHERE: On Hwy 20 between Fort Bragg and Willits.

MORE INFO: Search calfire.ca.gov, 707-964-5674; MendoWalks.org/JSDF/JSDF.php; MendocinoFun.com/jackson-forest

Fort Bragg

50 Guest House Museum

Resting atop a small knoll in Fort Bragg on the west side of Main Street lies an ancient storehouse of history, a three-story Victorian mansion known as the Guest House Museum. Built primarily of coast redwood, the building has served numerous functions over the years. Its first role was as the Fort Bragg Lumber Company’s guest house for out of town company senior officials from San Francisco and VIP guest visitors. The lumber company owning it subsequently changed hands, and the function of this architectural marvel also changed, from guest house to entertainment hub to part of a military post; at one point it even served as a specialty boutique for a department store. Finally in 1985 then-owner Georgia-Pacific Corporation donated the building to the City of Fort Bragg.

Today it is a museum that documents 150 years of Mendocino history. Within the ornate mansion’s walls visitors will find a repository of artifacts that shed light on logging, fishing, steam trains, and wood and glass craftsmanship, along with fascinating photographs of the families who once resided in the bustling town of Fort Bragg. The Guest House Museum is run by the Fort Bragg-Mendocino Coast Historical Society. Hours vary seasonally.

WHERE: 343 N. Main St., Fort Bragg

MORE INFO: 707-964-4251, FortBraggHistory.org

51 Emerald Dolphin Mini Golf & Fun Center

Wow, what a blast! At the Emerald Dolphin Mini Golf and Fun Center, all 18 challenging holes are located in and around gorgeous streams, fountains and waterfalls, and are designed to be tons of fun for all ages and experience levels. Also, the first nine holes are handicapped-accessible. To top it off, if you’re a guest at Emerald Dolphin Inn you’ll receive your first round free if you book directly with them, or at a discounted rate if you book through a third party.

After a round of mini golf, you can go inside the clubhouse and play a game of pool, or try your hand at today’s top arcade games including Dance Dance Revolution Extreme, pinball, air hockey and Big Buck Hunter. Also inside you will find delicious treats including fresh out of the oven corn dogs, soft pretzels, and sweet treats like candy and ice cream, as well as ice cold sodas, beer and more. There is even a private party room available for your next celebration or event. Parties can be planned with the Emerald Dolphin staff in any theme you desire. They do all the decorating, food, drinks and cleanup: it just doesn’t get any easier than that. Plus, Emerald Dolphin is the only place in the county that offers Gorilla-Grams, a “gorilla” dressed in costume who will arrive at your next party to dance your guests into hysterics! Call well in advance for the perfect gift for that someone who has everything, and check the website for more information. Emerald Dolphin Mini Golf has everything you need for an outrageous party.

WHERE: 1211 S. Main St., Fort Bragg

MORE INFO: 707-964-6699, EmeraldDolphin.com

Serving Northern Italian Food

52 Glass Beach Treasures

At first you might think that the sea glass covering this beach has been there practically forever. Not so. For centuries it was a common practice of people who lived in seaside cities to dump their trash into the ocean, and from 1906 through 1967 it was true of people in Fort Bragg as well. In 1967 the practice came to a screeching halt, however, and the coastal dumps in Fort Bragg were cleaned up. Perhaps by way of thanks, the ocean responded by washing up beautiful multicolored pieces of wave-tumbled glass from those very dumps onto its beaches.

The most celebrated of these beaches of polished glass is located in MacKerricher State Park. It is very safe to walk on. All along its shore there are gem-like pieces of wave-tumbled glass in a rainbow of vivid colors glistening in the sun. There is now a stairway down to Glass Beach from the new Noyo Headlands Park.

Glass Beach is a fantastic place to bring the family to wander. There are also plenty of tide pools there to wade through and see crabs, mollusks and aquatic plants. However, please leave the glass where you find it. Much of the sea glass that was originally there is now gone, and at the rate it’s disappearing estimates are that the rest could be gone within 30 years. Plus, it’s a misdemeanor to remove any from state park property. WHERE: You can find the beach at the end of Elm Street; signs on Main Street point the way to a parking area and paths leading to the beach.

MORE INFO: FortBragg.com/explore/glass-beach/

53 Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society

The steam engine and the highly specialized logging railroad formed an integral part of the Mendocino coast’s rich history from the late 19th century through the 1930s. Though now long gone, they have not been forgotten. In a barn just behind the Skunk Train Depot in Fort Bragg, the Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society has built a remarkable model logging railroad layout displaying miniature structures and equipment from logging operations that existed along the coast here in Mendocino County. The model is set in the 1900 to 1940 period, when steam was still king and diesel power was just entering the scene.

The layout is built in G (Garden) scale, meaning everything is approximately 1⁄24 of life size. There are about 1,800 feet of 2 1⁄4 -inch wide track, with seven model trains usually running on them at the same time. There is an incline, a switchback, tunnels, a re-creation of the existing downtown Fort Bragg depot and an engine house. Three of the five trestle bridges that existed between downtown Fort Bragg and Ten Mile River have also been re-created, and the club plans to add the other two to the layout as well. There are even scale models of the Point Arena and Point Cabrillo lighthouses, the latter with a working Fresnel lens and foghorn.

The model railroad is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm . Admission is free with your Skunk Train ticket stub, or at nominal cost otherwise. WHERE: Located right behind the Fort Bragg Skunk Train Depot at 100 W. Laurel St. MORE INFO: MendoRailHistory.org (Check out their Virtual Tour) and on Facebook

Fort Bragg

54 C.V. Starr Community Center Pool & More

Much more than a swimming pool, fitness center, community center and outdoor activity area combined, the C.V. Starr Community Center offers people of all ages a wealth of wonderful, exciting things to do and magnificent facilities to do them in. The physical infrastructure is a 4-acre campus that hosts an off-leash dog park, a 10,000 square foot skate park, sun deck, two petanque (an ancient Roman game) courts, and a 43,000 square foot aquatics and fitness facility. Inside that facility they have a full waterpark-style pool complete with a 146 foot water slide, zero depth entry warm water leisure pool, lazy river, eight lane lap pool and a 1 meter diving board. In addition to the pools there are two group exercise studios, a wellness center with a full range of weight and cardio equipment, and multipurpose rooms for meetings and an incredible variety of enrichment classes for everyone from pre-schoolers to senior citizens. Visit their website for information on hours, fees and class schedules.

WHERE: 300 S. Lincoln St., Fort Bragg

MORE INFO: 707-964-9446, MendoCoastRec.org

55 Fort Bragg’s Family-Friendly City Parks

Noyo Headlands Park , home to the famous Glass Beach, offers 4.5 miles of trails along the bluff top overlooking spectacular ocean views. This is the crown jewel of the city’s park system, and its newest park. The trail, part of the California Coast Trail, provides the first public access to Fort Bragg’s rocky coastline since the 1800s. Access is via Elm Street to the north and Cypress Street to the south. Open 24 hours.

Pomo Bluffs Park offers gorgeous views from the southern bluffs above Noyo Harbor. This 25-acre park offers outlook points and benches, coastal pedestrian and bike trails, and interpretive exhibits. From Hwy 1 take Ocean View Drive to Cliff Way to get there. Open dawn to dusk.

Otis R. Johnson Wilderness Park is located at the east end of Laurel Street, southeast of Fort Bragg Middle School. This 7-acre park offers shady walking trails and a close-up experience with nature, including old-growth and second-growth redwood trees. Charming wooden footbridges cross a stream that has undergone extensive aquatic restoration. Open 7am to 8 pm May through October and 7am to 5 pm November through April.

Harold O. Bainbridge Park is designed for the whole family to enjoy. The park offers tennis courts, a basketball court, and open space to play or spread a blanket and enjoy an afternoon picnic. Its Wiggly Giggly Playground is located on Laurel Street, between North Harrison and North Whipple Streets, across from the Fort Bragg Library. It offers swing sets, slides and equipment of all shapes and sizes to climb, hide in, run around and hang from. The park is open 7am to 10 pm

MORE INFO: City of Fort Bragg Public Works Dept., 707-961-2824

56 Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens offers everything from colorful displays to thunderous waves. Open year-round, the mild maritime climate makes it a garden for all seasons. The Cliff House provides an indoor vantage for watching the winter and spring grey whale migration. Spring brings a profusion of bulbs and stunning rhododendrons. In summer you will find a riot of color in the Display House overflowing with fuchsias, begonias, and hungry hummingbirds. Savor a strawberry from the organic demonstration Vegetable Garden. In the fall, an abundance of mushrooms burst forth — a mycologist’s paradise! A birding hot-spot, the Gardens provides habitat for more than 180 species that live in or visit the Gardens yearly. Bring the whole family and make a day of it. Dogs are welcome and enjoy free admission. Experience the rugged beauty of the Mendocino Coast mixed with the peaceful tranquility at this garden by the sea. Visit www.gardenbythesea.org for admissions information. The Garden Store and Nursery are open yearround; Rhody’s Garden Café is open April to Sept. There is no admission fee to shop or dine.

• Dog-Friendly • Retail Store & Nursery • Café with Wi-Fi • Events & Weddings

WHERE: 18220 N. Hwy 1, Fort Bragg

MORE INFO: For a listing of special events and workshops visit GardenByTheSea.org

The beautiful, laid-back village of Westport perches on bluffs 80 feet above sea level, approximately 28 miles west of Hwy 101 and 13 miles north of Fort Bragg. During the redwood lumber boom, for a while it was the fastest growing coastal town north of San Francisco. It served as a busy commercial shipping harbor, with two massive wharves loading lumber as well as wool, oats, tanbark, shingles and railroad ties into schooners bound for San Francisco. At its peak Westport boasted 14 saloons. Just south of Westport were two other bustling lumber towns, Newport and Kibesillah. They only existed for about 40 years, from 1867 to the early 1900s. During their heyday it was hard to imagine that their future would be anything but bright, but in the long run their harbors proved too difficult and dangerous to be viable. The beginning of the end for them came in 1885, when lumber operations moved to Fort Bragg. Today not even a ghost town remains to mark where they once stood. These days, residents settle in the Westport area seeking a strong sense of community and an escape from the harried pace of city life. Visitors find a charming windswept seaside village with a bluff-top park suitable for picnics, volleyball games and weddings, where a bustling shipping yard once sat.

57Westport Whale

Kyle Siler (aka Carlos Amigos) set his sights to building his own roadside attraction back in 2008. His artistic journey was well-rounded; he learned to weld and completed a pilgrimage to Wisconsin to view the art of Fred Smith, his inspiration. His goal was to put his small town on the map with a classic roadside attraction. Deciding on a whale them was easy, what better way to celebrate the annual migration visible from his yard? Built with his newly-acquired welding skills, several tons of concrete, and a dash of mosaic sculptures, Amigos slowly transformed his yard into a destination. True to the tradition of roadside attractions, the whale features bright colors, and it has a few special tricks, too. At the top of the hour between 10 am and 3 pm , the whale spouts water from its spout. The whale is supported by donations and the income generated by renting out the artist’s studio for overnight stays.

WHERE: 37060 Hwy 1, Westport

MORE INFO: https://bit.ly/2ZJFABJ

58Peter Douglas Trail / Shady Dell

T hings T o D o

Camping on the beach is a favorite Thing To Do in Westport. Westport Union-Landing State Beach covers over 3 miles of rugged and scenic coastline, and has 86 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. The magnificent vistas, sunsets and tree-covered mountains in the background provide an inspiring backdrop to the park. In addition to campgrounds, Westport’s hotels and restaurants serve travelers, many of whom visit for the village’s annual events. These include Whalefest in March, the Volunteer Fire Department’s annual barbecue every August and the Great Rubber Ducky Race, a Mother’s Day (“Ducky Sunday”) event that also includes a tri-tip and vegetarian barbecue, a quilt raffle, and a decorated rubber ducky beauty contest. The course follows Wages Creek to the Pacific surf’s edge. Other favorite Things To Do: pinicking on the headlands while looking for birds or gray whales, or just watching the sunset.

MORE INFO: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_ id=440, WestportVillageSociety.orgw

If you’ve ever wanted to walk part of the California Coastal Trail, the Peter Douglas Trail is a perfect sampling of everything it has to offer. This 2.3-mile extension on the southern end of the Lost Coast Trail is rugged, wild, and blends together forest and ocean topography. Ultimately, this portion of the trail connects to the Lost Coast Trail, which is mainly located in Humboldt County. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for this outing, which is only accessible from June-October. Be aware that there is no cell reception in the area, so any maps or information should be downloaded before you get underway. Expansive views of the Mendocino coast, old-growth redwoods magically sculpted into candelabras, wildflower meadows, and 300 hand-built steps are only a few of the featured highlights of the trail. Roosevelt Elk and other wildlife are often seen near Usal Beach. Shady Dell was part of a privately-owned property until 2011, and has not been accessible to the public for over a century. Restoration has healed and continues to bring back streams, trees, meadows, salmon, and forests damaged by logging and building roads. WHERE: Follow Usal Road (narrow and rough). Call the Mendocino DOT at 707-463-4363 to verify road conditions beforehand.