Mendocino Headlands State Park

Mendocino Headlands State Park showcases the type of nature that glossy magazines wax poetic about, listing adjectives like quaint, picturesque, delightful, and idyllic. Perched atop sweeping cliffs that overlook the churning Pacific Ocean, the park offers painters, day trippers, morning joggers, families and lovers a collection of hiking trails that promises views beyond belief. As you wander along the paths, keep an eye out for natural grottoes and sea caves. Year round this park inspires, though it is helpful to note that summers in this historic town tend to be foggy. Winter brings the annual gray whale migration and in the spring, ...

Mendocino Headlands State Park showcases the type of nature that glossy magazines wax poetic about, listing adjectives like quaint, picturesque, delightful, and idyllic. Perched atop sweeping cliffs that overlook the churning Pacific Ocean, the park offers painters, day trippers, morning joggers, families and lovers a collection of hiking trails that promises views beyond belief. As you wander along the paths, keep an eye out for natural grottoes and sea caves. Year round this park inspires, though it is helpful to note that summers in this historic town tend to be foggy. Winter brings the annual gray whale migration and in the spring, wildflowers blanket the bluffs. The Historic Ford House Museum educates visitors on the history of the town, offering a scale model. The waters around the park are popular with cold-water loving surfers, sea mammals and fishermen.

About the Expert

Michele Bigley is the author of Northern California: An Explorer's Guide and Great Destinations Kauai from Countryman Press.