Headlands Trail (Devil's Punchbowl)

Just two miles north of Mendocino, you'll find this beautiful, well-maintained park that features a little bit of everything. The campsite is situated between a rugged beach and a stunning 36-ft waterfall, giving you plenty of easy and fun options.This park is most well known for the heavily forested Russian Gulch Creek Canyon, and a headland that features the Devil’s Punch Bowl (a large, colla...

The town of Mendocino is as charming and quaint as one can find. It is no wonder why it was pegged as the perfect location spot to film the series Murder She Wrote. While the series heroine Jessica Fletcher's home can still be visited, it is the bay itself that will draw your attention.  Starting in the southwest corner of the town, Main Street ends where the Mendocino Cliffs Trail begins. Whi...

Mendocino Headlands Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Mendocino, California.

Make your way around the back of the Chevron on Main st. in town and just keep following the stairs down to the little trail that leads to the beach.  The beach is beautiful with soft sand. Dogs are allowed but please note they are supposed to be on leash. Obviously our group wasn't too upset by being greeted by little Cricket.  Great place to relax and read a book, walk along the shoreline, or...

The Big River estuary in Mendocino Headlands State Park is one of those best of both worlds scenarios where dense Redwood forest and fresh, lazy river water meet rocky beaches and the mighty Pacific. If you're really lucky, you can swim with river otters and harbor seals at the same time. Paddle up the river and pull over to explore the Redwood forest - there are plenty of small trails winding ...

Big River is a 40 mile or so river in the heart of Mendocino and its first 8 miles form the largest undeveloped estuary remaining in California. It is home to some amazing wildlife from seals to jellyfish to the endangered California Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, and Steelhead Trout. If you are lucky you may spot a sea otter or the endangered California Golden Beaver. The best places to put in a...