I feel like I’m in heaven. That’s how the past few days along Route One in Mendocino County have affected me. The stunning scenery and unseasonably sunny weather have lifted my spirits. Could it be reparation for the rainy month we spent on Vancouver Island last fall?
Many people ask us, if during our extensive travels, we have found any place(s) we would consider settling down. I have now!
Lunch stop at Westport Union Landing State Park shortly after reaching the Mendocino County coastline.
Another sampling of this spectacular coast.
Beautiful coastal bike trail at MacKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg.
Can you see me riding my bike over the Pudding Creek Trestle?
Sunset from Seal Rock at MacKerricher SP. We saw many whales spouting here.
Morning walk on beach near campground.
In the early 20th century, Fort Bragg residents threw their household garbage over cliffs onto what is now a huge tourist attraction at Glass Beach. Various cleanup programs were undertaken through the years to correct the damage. Over the next several decades the pounding waves cleaned the beach, by breaking down everything but glass and pottery and tumbling those into the small, smooth, colored pieces that people collect.
This is a random unsorted handful scooped up from the beach.
A small pocket of goodies in a rock crevice.
In addition to the collectibles, Glass Beach has what I think may be the world’s largest tide pool.
These young boys were having a great time making discoveries.
We stopped every few miles to take a hike and gawk at the scenery.
Jug Handle State Park
Picturesque Point Cabrillo Lighthouse
Mendocino is on the National Register of Historic Places because of the large number of historic buildings that have been preserved over the last 150 years. I was absolutely delighted to find the town had changed little since my last visit over 40 years ago.
Dozens of water towers have been left standing, ranging from completely restored to a few precariously leaning. Others have been converted into service for such purposes as an artist studio, rental unit or gift shop.
Even the graveyard is beautiful.
Mendocino’s Main Street from across the inlet.
Nearby Russian Gulch State Park
Van Damme State Park
Travels with haRVy 
I have wanted to live in Mendocino since high school. My last vacation in 2010 was camping in the redwoods in the Anderson Valley, one of my favorite places. I know a music producer, Bill Botrell, who is the son of good friends of my parents from Hoover High, who raised his family in the Albion School House. He’s told me, via fb, to move up there.
By: Ann Lasko on February 2, 2015
at 2:15 am
Mendocino looks like a place I could live also. I am definitely putting it on my bucket list. I think I would have a field day on Glass Beach. Such treasures!
By: kjfdesign on February 3, 2015
at 12:00 pm
We very much considered the area for retirement……..you are so right – beautiful and just feels good.
By: Judy Lindeman Fullerton on February 3, 2015
at 12:45 pm