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 […]
I could really spend hours gazing at the ocean off the Northern California coast, and I sometimes manage to shoot a few pictures as well! We were fortunate to make it over to the coast on three separate trips last year, in April, September, and November. It was the first time in ages that I’d seen the coast in springtime, […]
I’m a little disappointed that during our recent stay in Mendocino County I didn’t capture more shots of the high, wild surf rolling in off the Pacific. We had some pretty blustery days, and I’m sure there were at least a few surfers out during the week, waiting in the water for the perfect wave to come along. I never […]
California has quite a number of beautiful and historic lighthouses up and down the coast, some of which are still operating via automation. I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Point Loma lighthouse in San Diego and, more recently, the Point Arena lighthouse in Mendocino County. The Point Sur Lightstation, a few miles south of Monterey and Carmel, is definitely […]
As we leave Mendocino County and head for home, I’m really going to miss exploring the trails above the seaside bluffs during my isolated morning walks. It’s a special treat to be able to leave my small cottage and walk to the trailhead, never knowing exactly what I might find — even things that I’m sure I must have passed […]
There are so many colorful wildflowers blooming along the Mendocino coast right now, and likely more to come as the spring progresses. These are only a few of the ones I’ve spotted lately.
I’ve previously shared images from our visit to Greenwood State Beach in Mendocino County. The small town of Elk sits just above the beach, along Highway 1. While there, I was able to watch a Great blue heron fishing for his lunch in the old mill pond on the beach. Other than the birds, we had the whole place to […]
Only a couple of years ago I was complaining that, apart from one occasion in Ensenada, Mexico, many years ago, I had never gotten a good look at a Brown Pelican in the wild. That all changed this past year during a couple of trips to Mendocino County in the fall and winter. I saw so many pelicans that my […]