45500 Lighthouse Rd
Point Arena, CA

North of San Francisco, along the state's North Coast, there's a whole other world of California, where rugged cliffs, towering redwood trees, and artsy towns dot an idyllic coastline. Here, you'll find scenic views around every corner and vast areas of unspoiled nature perfect for peaceful outdoor exploring.

Fort Bragg, CA

Marvel at the pastel glass covering Glass Beach, Fort Bragg’s historic former trash dump that’s now one of the largest sea glass repositories in the world. Discarded soda bottles and other items, tumbled and polished by the ocean waves, have been transformed into smooth, colorful jewels.

45500 Lighthouse Rd
Point Arena, CA

Reaching 115 feet into the sky, Point Arena Lighthouse stands sentinel on a rocky promontory, surrounded by water on three sides. Climb 145 steps to the top of this historic landmark, then soak in 360-degree views of sea stacks, rock arches, and crashing waves.

Point Arena, CA

Hike the paths off Lighthouse Road in Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands to see sea lions, elephant seals, and harbor seals. You’ll find everything a coast lover craves: blowholes, dunes, beaches, tide pools, and lingering sunsets. There’s even a waterfall in the wet season, when Stornetta Falls cascades 40 feet over the coastal bluffs and into the Pacific.

Mendocino County, CA

The dunes at Manchester Beach back a driftwood-laden swath of sand, ideal for long walks spent searching for washed-in treasures. Plan to leave thousands of footprints on this five-mile-long beach. When night falls, pitch your tent at Manchester State Park’s campground.

Coast Hwy
Point Arena, CA

While in Point Arena, be sure to check your tide table. During extremely low tides, walk from Schooner Gulch State Beach to Bowling Ball Beach to see its astounding assemblage of round rocks, formed by millions of years of weathering.

Jenner, CA

The picturesque town of Jenner is the gateway to dozens of beaches in Sonoma Coast State Park. Drive out to the headlands at Goat Rock Beach to watch the harbor seals’ antics, then stroll along the tan sand.