All Aboard the Mendocino Coast

Where dramatic—and secret—headlands meet a rollicking sea and a historic train winds through fragrant forest, Mendocino invites you to slow down, stay awhile. Ride the rails to a redwood grove with a beverage bar and bonus hike, wander wild bluffs and windswept beaches, then toast the day in a postcard-perfect village with a thriving culinary scene. This is Mendo-time.

Week: 02.18.2026
Regions: Northern & Southern CA

This Skunk Doesn’t Stink!

Ride the Historic Skunk Train Through Redwoods and to a Magical Grove With a Snack and Beverage Bar

All aboard for a ride through history—and through air scented with redwood, dewy ferns, forest-fresh breeze, and a bonus snack and beverage bar, fire pit, and short hike. The World-Famous Skunk Train delivers in every category: scenery, greenery, and towering redwoods.
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The Magic of MacKerricher

Boardwalks, biking, tidepooling, camping, and beach beauty at MacKerricher State Park in Mendocino

A woman on a wooden platform looks out to the sea stacks and the Pacific Ocean at MacKerricher Sate Park in Mendocino County
Headlands, wetlands, lakefront, and tide pools—MacKerricher State Park is one of Mendocino County’s coastal greatest hits. This wild stretch just north of Fort Bragg packs in miles of dramatic shoreline, an easy boardwalk ramble, and one of the best chances around to spot river otters slipping through a thriving estuary.
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Eat, Sleep, Beach, Repeat

Where to Eat, Sleep, and Beach in Beautiful Mendocino

For an ultra-relaxing getaway where you can sit back and soak in some nature and nurture, head to Mendocino and follow this eat, beach, sleep, repeat itinerary (you won't regret it!) ...
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Can’t Bluff This! (Secret Spring Ranch)

Explore Mendocino Heandlands State Park and Spring Ranch

Accessible right from downtown Mendocino, a bluff-side walk at Mendocino Headlands State Park is a must. The marquee trails here overlook not just the charming hamlet of Mendocino, but also the dramatic coastal scenery from the bluffs.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Muir Woods Night Tour

    Thousands of people flock to Muir Woods every year, yet only a few see it at night, when this beloved park is experienced in a whole new light. The Muir Woods Night Tour happens on the last Friday of every month through October.

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  2. Slide Ranch Marin

    Slide On Over

    Marin's Slide Ranch has a popular neighbor in the Muir Beach Overlook. But don’t overlook Slide! This open-to-the-public nonprofit organization sits on 134 acres of coastline and is filled with animals, Pacific scenery, and an adjacent hiking trail.

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    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

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  4. Hello, Sur!

    Big Sur is home to numerous fantastic beaches and coves, so which one do you choose? Go for the beach that's quintessential Big Sur (and dog-friendly!). Pfeiffer Beach in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Its signature lilac-colored sand is waiting for your feet!

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Waterfall Hunter

    If you ask a local in Reno about one of the best hiking trails in town, odds are high they’ll point you to Hunter Creek Falls. It’s a year-round favorite, but it absolutely shines in spring, when desert peach wildflowers make a splash—and so does the marquee waterfall.

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  2. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

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  3. Bike the Coastal Trail to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay

    Ride and Seek

    Oceanside breezes, beautiful beaches, a car-free pathway for biking, and beer at the end: You’re on a roll! The San Mateo Coast was made for beach hopping and beer tasting … and it all goes down smooth as part of an 8-mile out-and-back bike ride.

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  4. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts are onto a fresh perspective in getting a little more personal space for their panoramic viewings.

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