North Coast

North Coast Overview

The north coast of California offers visitors serenity and seclusion. With no major cities and a low volume of tourists, you can easily be the only guests walking among giant redwoods or hiking a cliff-side trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Several small towns of logging origin decorate the landscape of this region. Many of which have long since given up on logging and now cater to tourism.

National Parks
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Redwood ends at the ocean with steep, rocky cliffs meeting redwood forests. Some areas level out to form lagoons and estuaries. Redwood National Park is home to some of the world's tallest and oldest trees. They can live to be 2000 years old and grow to over 300 feet tall. MORE DETAILS

State Parks
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Humboldt Redwoods is 52,000 acres of pristine redwood forest, 17,000 acres of which is old growth trees thousands of years old. This is California's largest redwood forest. MORE DETAILS

Jedediah Smith features 10,000 acres of old growth coast redwood. A dense canopy of ferns, moss and lichens fill the forest floor. MORE DETAILS

Del Norte Coast Redwoods features 6400 acres with approximately 50% old growth coast redwood and eight miles of wild coastline. Hiking trails throughout but two traverse the steep cliffs to the sea. A sand beach awaits with tidepool exploration at low tide. MORE DETAILS

Grizzly Creek is a more 'off the beaten path' redwood forest featuring 30 campsites, horse shoe pits, group camp sites, picnic areas and more. MORE DETAILS

MacKerricher is a tidal lagoon with tidepools, a bike trail that's also popular with joggers, sand dunes, freshwater lakes and camping near the ocean. Campsites are nestled in a redwood forest and offer shelter from the sometimes brisk ocean breezes. MORE DETAILS

Sonoma Coast can be accessed from several points along PCH and features sand beach coves separated by rock outcroppings. Natural arches and secluded coves are abundant. MORE DETAILS

Tomales Bay is a huge bay formed by the San Andreas Fault. The waters are protected from wind and waves by the pine tree blanketed Inverness Ridge. Visitors enjoy hiking trails, picnicking, swimming, clamming and boating. MORE DETAILS

Theme Parks
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Outrageous Waters Water Park is a small park also featuring go-carts, arcade, volleyball courts and more. MORE DETAILS

Zoos & Aquariums
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Ocean World - Eureka is a small-scale aquarium with a 360º view of local sea life, a shark petting pool, touch & feel tidepool and seal & sealion show. MORE DETAILS

Sequoia Park Zoo - Eureka is a small zoo with mostly native species on display. Exhibits include reptiles, bears, flamingos, alpacas, a chimpanzee and more. MORE DETAILS

Safari West - Santa Rosa is a wildlife preserve featuring 400 acres of African animals roaming in their natural habitat. Many of the animals within the preserve include giraffe, gazelle, ostrich, antelope, zebra, cheetah and many species of birds. MORE DETAILS

Entertainment
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Symphony of the Redwoods hosts orchestras, classical soloists and ensembles. MORE DETAILS

Mendocino Theatre Company hosts six theatrical plays per year in a quaint 81-seat theatre. MORE DETAILS

Gloriana Musical Theatre hosts theatre and music events at various venues throughout Fort Bragg and Mendocino. MORE DETAILS

Konocti Harbor Resort offers a lakeside amphitheatre and an indoor arena that host top musical performers. MORE DETAILS

Beaches
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Westport More coming soon. MORE DETAILS

Glass Beach More coming soon. MORE DETAILS

Shopping
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Bayshore Mall is located in Eureka. Bayshore is a traditional mall with over 100 stores including Gottschalks, Hot Topic, Mervyn's, Old Navy Outlet and more. MORE DETAILS

Montgomery Village is located in Santa Rosa. Montgomery Village is an outdoor mall with over 70 stores including Ann Taylor, Chico's, Merle Norman, White House/Black Market and more. MORE DETAILS

Miscellaneous Recommendations
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Trees of Mystery is located south of Crescent City and features unusual and incredible formations of Redwood trees. Look for Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe off Highway 101. MORE DETAILS

Wineries can be found from Eureka to Mendocino to Ukiah and Lake County. Some of the recognizable names include Frey, Fetzer and Parducci. MORE DETAILS

Indian Casinos DETAILS. MORE DETAILS

Ferndale is one of California's most impressive displays of Victorian architecture. Also referred to as 'The Victorian Village', the entire village is California Historical Landmark #883. MORE DETAILS

Point Arena Lighthouse is one of the tallest and well-maintained lighthouses in the state. Visitors are encouraged to climb to the top for panoramic views. Lightkeepers cabins are available for overnight stays. MORE DETAILS

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse was a key safety beacon to the supply ships helping to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. It is today still in full operation. MORE DETAILS

Kayaking explore sea caves and kelp beds from Van Damme State Park with Lost Coast Kayaking. MORE DETAILS

Whale Watching Cruises depart from several harbors along the North Coast from Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay. Whales that are found off California's coast include the Gray Whale, Humpback Whale, Blue Whale, Minke Whale, Fin Whale, Sperm Whale and Killer Whale (Orca). MORE DETAILS

Miniature Golf is available in Fort Bragg next to the Emerald Dolphin Inn. MORE DETAILS

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens azaleas & camelias. Whale watching and bird viewing. MORE DETAILS

Lagunitas Brewery produces the superb Lagunitas IPA beer. Stop in and have a cold one straight out of the tap. MORE DETAILS

Mendocino is a refined coastal village offering upscale amenities like Victorian Inns and day spas. Known for its quaint shops and antique treasures, this town also has much to offer in nature activities. MORE DETAILS

Clear Lake is a huge recreational lake. Launch ramps are prevalent throughout the lake but Konocti Harbor offers the most activity options. Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa also offers a casino and outdoor amphitheatre featuring top-notch performers. MORE DETAILS

Old Faithful Geyser is a large hot water geyser that erupts every 20-30 minutes. The water is superheated by volcanic magma below the earth's surface. MORE DETAILS

Petrified Forest of 3-million year old redwoods lay strewn along a beautiful forested trail. Evidence of a volcanic past are abundant beyond the trees-turned-to-stone. MORE DETAILS

Vichy Springs Resort features 150 year old hot springs that are the only naturally warm and carbonated mineral baths in North America. The resort features cottages, rooms, soaking tubs, natural pools and more. Natural mineral springs have long been known to have healing abilities. MORE DETAILS

Horseback Riding is available through multiple stables and ranches along the North Coast. Traverse through ancient redwood forests where you'll find pristine rivers, fern canopies, natural swimming holes, or meander the rugged coastline of desolate beaches. MORE DETAILS

Bocce Ball is available for the novice to tournament player at Brutocao Cellars in Hopland. Lessons are available. MORE DETAILS

Fort Bragg is a historic logging town situated on the bluffs above the ocean. Noyo harbor offers salmon fishing and whale watching charters. The historic Skunk Train transports tourists through the local redwood forest & back. Many nature activities are nearby. MORE DETAILS

Skunk Train historic train rides through towering trees of the mendocino forest. The Skunk Train started out as a logging route in 1885 and now carries visitors to and from the historic logging towns of Fort Bragg and Willits. Dinner and Wine Tasting trips are available. MORE DETAILS

Llama Treks head out into the lush redwood forest or along one of Mendocino's secluded beaches on a guided llama trek. Enjoy a gourmet meal out in the beauty of nature. MORE DETAILS

Hotels
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North Coast Hotels With so many great hotels, inns, resorts and bed & breakfasts we can't see making this page any longer than it already is. Visit our Hotels page for accommodations we personally recommend or that receive overwhelmingly high ratings from former guests. These recommendations were determined according to price, cleanliness, location, service and proximity to local attractions. MORE DETAILS

Restaurants
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North Coast Restaurants With so many great restaurants, we can't see making this page any longer than it already is. Visit our Restaurants page for restaurants we personally recommend or that receive overwhelmingly high ratings from former patrons. Dine at the places that locals frequent for a reason. These recommendations were determined according to price, ambiance, portions, outstanding views and/or one-of-a-kind flavors. MORE DETAILS

Major Airports
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None in this region.

Options to consider would be San Francisco International, or Oakland International airports.

Traffic & Transportation
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Highways 1 & 101 More coming soon.

Highways 20 & 128 More coming soon.

Public transportation More coming soon.rental car. Fill in content here.Amtrak Fill in content here.Greyhound.

Weather
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Winter brings average lows in the 40's and highs in the 50's. Mostly rain and rare hail storms occur. Days can be misty throughout and fog is VERY common.

Spring brings average lows in the 50's and highs in the upper 60's. Rain showers are still common but decreasing. A marine layer often burns off in the afternoon. Fog is common.

Summer brings average lows in the 60's and highs in the lower 80's. Marine layer burning off by the afternoon and/or fog is not uncommon.

Fall brings average lows in the 50's and highs in the 60's. Thunderstorms can occur. Grey, misty days and fog are likely.

Ocean water temperature ranges from the low 40's in winter to the mid 50's in summer. "YIKES!" if you're planning on swimming. Without a wetsuit, an hour is about all the body can stand at this temperature.

Local Events
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Jan 16-30, 2012 - Mendocino County Crab & Wine Days The entire county participates in this event including restaurants and the Skunk Train tours. You won't believe the list of events that occur daily at multiple locations. Wine tasting, meet the fisherman, crab feeds and whale watching excursions from Noyo Harbor are just a few of the activities to choose from. WEBSITE

Mar 3-4, 2012 - Mendocino Whale & Wine Festival Enjoy wine tasting of local varietals and chowder tasting while celebrating the northern migration of the gray whale. View the whales from the Mendocino Headlands, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse or hop on a charter boat out of Noyo harbor for up close viewing. WEBSITE

Mar 17-18, 2012 - Fort Bragg Whale Festival Enjoy the stouts and ales of local microbreweries and chowder tasting while celebrating the northern migration of the gray whale. View the whales from the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, MacKerricher State Park, Point Cabrillo Lighthouse or hop on a charter boat out of Noyo harbor for up close viewing. Festivities include a classic car show and arts & crafts shows. WEBSITE

Jun 3-5, 2011 - Mendocino Film Festival View independent films, documentaries, foreign films, short films, and animation. WEBSITE

Jul 7, 2012 - "World's Largest Salmon Barbeque" is held in Fort Bragg. This event attracts visitors from around the world year after year. Salmon is brought straight from Noyo Harbor to open barbeque pits and marinated with a homemade sauce. Corn on the cob, garlic bread and a fresh green salad fill the plate. Enjoy your meal at outdoor benches while meeting locals from the area and listening to live music. WEBSITE

Jul 7-21, 2012 - Mendocino Music Festival Join in the celebrations of Festival Orchestra, the popular Big Band concert, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, jazz, world, and folk music. This festival continues to attract the highest quality classical and contemporary music and musicians. WEBSITE

Sep 23-25, 2011 - Clear Lake Splash-In is held on Clear Lake at Skylark Shores Harbor. This is the largest seaplane gathering in the Western United States. Festivities include spot landing & water bombing contests, seaplane rides and more. WEBSITE

Nov 1-30, 2012 - Mendocino Wine and Mushroom Festival The entire county participates in this event including restaurants and the Skunk Train tours. You won't believe the list of events that occur daily at multiple locations. Wine tasting, mushroom hunting, cooking classes and the Symphony are just a few of the activities to choose from. WEBSITE