Mendocino Headlands State Park--Heaven on Earth
Aug 23 '02 (Updated Aug 29 '02)
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Pros
scenery, the "little things"
Cons
windy, foggy, cold, not really a wilderness experience
The Bottom Line
The Mendocino Headlands are a shockingly beautiful place and filled with little rewards for those who take the time to experience them.
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| Full Review |
Mendocino Headlands State Park is a remarkable place. It is one of the most scenic places on earth. I could spend years exploring the small park and never grow tired or bored.
The park wraps around the town of Mendocino. Being so close to a world-class tourist town, the park is heavily visited and hardly seems separate from the town. Lots of people are constantly walking around the paths that criss-cross the grassy areas.
So what makes this park so special? Obviously, the standout feature is the scenery, which is among the finest anywhere. Looking towards the town, you see the quaint New England buildings. At night, the buildings usually fade into an impressionistic mural of lights twinkling in the fog and wind. Looking along the Mendocino coastline, you can see headlands, cliffs and rocks, the drainage of the Big River and the curved bridge over the river, and little beaches nestled among the rocks. Looking to the ocean, you see waves swirling around submerged rocks and deep blue stretching to Japan. If you’re lucky, you’ll see whales in the distance.
Sunset is an especially popular time at Mendocino Headlands. Both locals and tourists park their cars in the parking lots to watch the sun set. The last time we were there, we had a quintessential California people-watching experience. A preppie couple (button-down shirt and wingtips) struggled to get down the rocks. An elderly couple held hands on a bench. Some local high school kids parked their pickup trucks and alternatively gossiped and necked. Some nappy and hairy hippies ate frozen dinners and smoked joints in a rusty Chevy van with beads hanging from the rear-view mirror and Grateful Dead bumper stickers. A dad and his kids poked around in the tidepools.
As for us, we sat on the rocks and pressed really close to share body heat. It was SO COLD that we couldn’t stay until the end of sunset. (This was in mid-June!). The wind cut through our clothes and blasted us with sand. An average windbreaker wasn’t sufficient to keep us warm, which is why most people watched the sunset from the inside of their car. If you are going to brave a sunset watching experience out of your car, bring the heavy winter coat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sand.
Of course, sunsets are not guaranteed in Mendocino. The fog often obscures the view, although it does create a surreal twilight as the white fog diffuses the dimming light.
While the scenery is jaw-dropping, make sure to experience the little things, such as:
* the sound of waves crashing into the sea caves
* the sound of the birds rustling in the bushes
* the flavor of wild blackberries warmed in the sun
* tasting the ocean spray
* being immersed in white when the thick fog rolls in
* the mosaic of wildflowers blooming virtually year-round, from splashy California poppies to tiny blue flowers hidden in the grass
* watching the grasses moving in waves due to the strong sea breezes
* watching waves pound and splash over the rocks, creating spectacular sprays
* building sandcastles or hunting for driftwood on the beach
* scaling down the cliffs to your own private beach (be VERY careful on the rocks, and watch out for incoming tides and surges)
* looking for crabs in the tidepools
You can hike a few miles of trails around the cliffs. For more hiking, you can now connect to the Big River park and hike up the canyon. There are no camping facilities; the nearest campgrounds are at Van Damme and Russian Gulch State Parks.
In conclusion, this park is truly an amazing place. It’s enriched my life, and I hope you will let it enrich yours.
For more on the Mendocino area, see my overview review at http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-2FE1-FF14238-38AE26D4-bd1
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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Epinions.com ID:
ericgoldman
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Member: Eric Goldman
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 31 members
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