Mendocino Headlands State Park

This blend of gentle trails, rugged coastline, secluded beaches, and timeless history surrounds the Village of Mendocino on three sides. Three miles of trails wind along the cliffs, giving the casual explorer spectacular views of sea arches and hidden grottos. The park snakes around the town of Mendocino starting north at road D500 day use area and coming south to the northern portion of the town’s headlands on Heeser Drive. Heeser Drive circles around the town to the western bluffs and continues south and across Highway 1 to Big River Beach. The whole park is used by hikers, picnickers, sunbathers, and surfers. Photographers and painters frequently visit various parts of Mendocino Headlands to enjoy and capture the scenic wonders. Make sure to stop in at the Ford House Museum, located on Main Street in the village of Mendocino. Here you’ll see exhibits of old photographs, tools, and relics tell the story from the felling of the redwoods to the shipping of the lumber aboard the legendary doghole schooners. There is a small display of Native American implements and also changing seasonal exhibits on the local flora and fauna.