Beautiful — but out of bounds

In our visits to the Sonoma and Mendocino coastline, we sometimes feel a little frustrated to find that some of the most beautiful and tempting areas are inaccessible. The reasons can vary; a lot of coastal property is privately owned and jealously guarded. Or maybe the landscape doesn’t allow for safe access to the shore. We’ve also found that some of our favorite spots from 30 years ago are now located inside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); that means no fishing for the Big Guy and consequently no hiking for me! So it’s always a very special bonus when we discover uncrowded hiking areas within walking distance of our accommodation — or in this case, just a peaceful, secluded spot within the redwood forest to sit down on a rock or log, enjoy the gurgling of the creek, and forget all about responsibilities for awhile.