Mendocino Headlands State Park
Mendocino, CA
Mendocino Headlands State Park wraps around the town of Mendocino on three sides, a rocky, trail laced bluff with the historic Ford House visitor center on Main Street as a good starting point. Goat Island Overlook and the viewpoints along Mendocino Bay give some of the best framed views of the town's Victorian buildings from the water side.
The views back at the town from the headlands are genuinely some of the best on this coast, though the rocky shoreline means it's a walking park more than a swimming beach.
How we score beachesStart at the Ford House on Main Street for a park map and trail orientation, the headlands trail network isn't always obvious from the bluff itself.
Free parking is available around town and at trailheads along the headlands.
Stairs, paths, and blufftop trails connect the town to the shoreline; conditions vary by access point.
Dogs are welcome; check posted signage for specific leash rules.
Summer mornings run foggy before clearing, typical of the Mendocino coast, with water staying cold year round.
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