The Northern California Coast – All the Wonderful Things to See

Russian Gulch is also famous for its bridge, with a short overlook hike you can access near the fern trailhead. Entrance to the park is per vehicle.
The first time I visited in 2019, I didn’t find much glass, but in 2021, I found it everywhere! The best way to experience this beach is in the late afternoon to sunset when the light is catching the glass. You can read more about the history and tips for all of Fort Bragg’s attractions here.
Like most of this drive, Point Reyes serves up gorgeous coastal views. But what sets it apart is this cypress tree tunnel! Catch it during golden hour (the hour before sunset) on a sunny day for the best photo op.

Where to Stay:

Interested in Meditations? Check out my favorite Chakra meditations.

Though this viewpoint is a detour from Highway 1, It’s a worthy one if you have a chance at a sunset or low-hanging clouds. It creates such a gorgeous vibe from the top of the mountain all the way to the sea.

This view! Taken on Little River’s lawn

For a waterfall with a different flavor than the coastal ones, hike the fern trail in Russian Gulch State Park. You’ll pass plenty of ferns, lichen, and Redwoods on this peaceful path to the waterfall. The hike is pretty easy, at 3 miles each way, and can be turned into a loop!

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Golden Gate National Recreation Area

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These rails through the Redwoods were used by trains back in the day that apparently smelled like a skunk thanks to the fuel mixture.

Staying at Little River Inn, mentioned above, gave us easy access to Van Damme State Park. Entrance is to go into the park and see the pygmy forest and hike the trails, but entrance to the beach, just across the highway, is free.

Mt. Tamalpais

This view is incredible, and you don’t even have to work that hard for it! Mt. Tamalpais is perfect if you prefer the kind of incredible lookout that you can drive to (map with each stop is embedded below!).

Check out some of the best stops in Mendo in the video:
While Baker Beach in San Francisco is a great option to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge, I love the view from the other side even more.

Point Reyes

Traveling solo? Check out my guide on how to take selfies that don’t look like selfies.

Navigate a bit inland to this one in Redwood National Park. It’s well worth the brief departure from the coast.
Surprise, surprise, we have another stellar sunset spot on the list! Covering most of the coastline around Mendocino as well as trails inland along the river, the Mendocino Headlands State Park is perfect for sunset.

Bodega Head

Perhaps the most famous beach on our list, the Glass Beach at Fort Bragg is a former dump-turned-fairytale beach.

At this point Highway 1 merges with the 101 and you’ll have to take another road in to access this part. However if you’re committed, you’ll find gorgeous wildflowers and uncrowded coastline in King Range National Conservation Area.

Sonoma Coast State Park

As a California native and Pacific Coast Highway enthusiast, allow me to share my favorite things to see on the Northern California coast:

Photo by Joe Parks, shared under Creative Commons

A friend of mine told me that California runs in my blood. When you’re born and raised in a place, it’s always a part of you. I guess that’s why every time I’m on the California coast, even if it’s hours north of where I grew up, I feel like I’ve come home. Not just to me, but to nature, tranquility, and peacefulness. I hope you feel that way too.
If you have a clear day, stop by and walk around a bit, bidding San Francisco goodbye as you embark on an epic road trip.

Salt Point State Park

Famous for the Point Arena Lighthouse, the Point Arena Public Lands offer sea arches that are some of the most defined and arch-like of the whole drive.

Take a hike along the cliffs over the ocean along the coastal trail and prepare to be amazed.

Stewarts Point

You might be sensing a theme here that this coast is STELLAR for sunset ocean views. Salt point also offers up unique rock formations and several coastal trails to choose from. If you’re into SCUBA or freediving and don’t mind frigid water and thick wetsuits, this is a great spot!

Point Arena Public Lands

I’m sure we can all agree there’s no such thing as too many Redwoods. Ergo, on your way to the Oregon border, check out Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park for even more tree hugging and amazing tree views.

I love Humboldt County so much, I’ve visited 5 or 6 times now. Although there are many beaches in the area, I’m quite partial to Moonstone Beach. With the especially flat beach and water running out to the sea, it creates the perfect, long and wide reflection for the sunset.

Van Damme State Park

This part of the coast is particularly rich in ocean life. The Bodega Head area contains one of the most important upwelling plumes along the entire California coast. This results in much diversity both under and above the waves.

This stretch of coastline is all about cute Inns with beautiful views. My friends and I loved the balcony, fireplace, and huge jetted bathtub at the Little River Inn in Mendocino. The views were amazing and they even have a little trail down to Van Damme State Park!
They also have a pygmy forest and two campgrounds. Although there are many places that offer those things, it’s the rock formations, with porous rocks and arches, that make Salt Point worth the stop.

Our journey begins in San Francisco, with many stops along the way. This trip could take days or weeks, depending on what looks good to you and how much time you have!

Mendocino Headlands State Park

The stretch of rocky coastline in Northern California is magic. It’s moody, sometimes foggy, always dramatic, perfectly situated for stellar sunsets, and full of Redwoods – the tallest living thing on Earth.
I visited four times to watch the sunset, hang out in the sun, and enjoy peaceful morning meditations.

Russian Gulch State Park

It’s a gorgeous area with some funky architecture as well.

Glass Beach Fort Bragg

What if I told you there’s a place that feels like home even when you’ve never been there before?

Sea glass beach!

What in the world is a Skunk Train? Good question, and I’m glad you asked, because it’s a funny story.

Skunk Train to Redwoods

Check out my guide to Humboldt county for more on my favorite things to do and eat there!

To say the sunsets there were spectacular would be an understatement. They have a delicious and adorable garden restaurant too!
We hung out on one of the bluffs over the water all afternoon watching the birds and waves come in, finished off with the incredible sunset pictured above!

King Range National Conservation Area

The way it falls onto the rocks in dramatic fashion with the wild Pacific makes this a photographer’s dream.

Moonstone Beach in Humboldt

Stewart’s Point is an unincorporated community on the Sonoma coast. It has a crazy history including murder and cannibals, but more importantly, this was an area of great significance to the original inhabitants, the indigenous Pomo people.
These days you can either take the (no longer smelly) train or peddle yourself on the railbikes to the Redwoods. It’s a unique experience and the only rail bike I’m aware of its kind on the Northern California coast. You can read more and book the train or bikes in my guide for the best things to do in Mendocino county.

Hike in Redwood National Park

Part of the Sonoma Coast State protected area, Bodega Head offers a unique view of gorgeous rocks from the sand, as well as whale watching opportunities (which is true for this entire coastline).

It’s reminiscent of the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland, no?
There are several waterfalls along Pacific Coast Highway that fall into the sea. McWay falls in Big Sur might be the most famous, but the waterfall in Sonoma Coast State Park is a sight to see as well!

Hike in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

One of the things that makes this area so wonderful is the abundance and accessibility of the Redwoods. I’ve already mentioned that the Coastal Redwood is the tallest tree on Earth, but there can only be one that reigns supreme, and that’s the Hyperion Tree. The Hyperion is the official tallest known tree on Earth measuring in at 115.85 m (380.1 ft) tall.

As we cross into the area known as the Lost Coast, you’ll start to notice that the towns become smaller, the coastline even more wooded and rugged, and the wildness of it all increasing.

Here’s a map to help you plan your trip:

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If you can swing it, spend multiple days in Mendocino. There’s so much to see and this is my favorite part of the whole drive!

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