Well, the Otis R. Johnson Wilderness Park is not really a “secret garden,” but it’s still an amazing hidden gem tucked away in the middle of the historic seaside town of Fort Bragg, California. It’s not listed in my hikers guide to the Mendocino Coast, but this city park does have a number of trails that wind through tall stands of coast redwoods, over a creek, and up the sides of the canyon. On this visit I had hoped to explore the path leading to the Pudding Creek Overlook, but I had to give up when the soggy, overgrown trail became too precarious for me to navigate. I do hope to return sometime when the ground is slightly more dry… and maybe bring my trusty walking stick along for added stability.

Looking back toward the parking area