As we drive along Highway 1 in the southern half of Mendocino County, if we notice a sign saying “Coastal Access” we stop to check it out for its fishing potential. This was what happened back in March when we happened upon the Spring Ranch Nature Preserve, just south of the town of Mendocino. It’s very easy to miss, with […]
The name of 16th century conquistador Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo has been attached to quite a number of geographical landmarks and structures, mostly in Southern California. So I was a little confused when I first heard about the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse in Mendocino County, and of course I had to visit the site and see it for myself. On my first […]
We spent the past week exploring up and down the Mendocino coast while the Big Guy looked for some new favorite fishing spots. The downside of these adventures is that I only occasionally get a chance to visit popular beaches and hiking trails, take a wander through the Mendocino Botanical Gardens and the local museums, or sit and contemplate in […]
It’s a tough life as I try to make the most of my handful of days on the Mendocino coast. While I’m having a blast shooting the profusion of wildflowers and spotting new (to me) butterflies, I’m missing out on the chance to just sit and gaze at the ocean for hours at a time. Difficult choices, but I’ll try […]
There is so much room to roam over the Stornetta Public Lands near Point Arena that during our three separate visits I’ve only managed to scratch the surface of this beautiful coastal hiking area. In September 2021 I thought I was doing pretty well when I managed to walk from the northern gate to the private road running from Highway […]
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 […]
During my lifetime, I’ve spent an awful lot of time in the passenger seats of cars. One of the best things about not driving is that you get to enjoy the scenery; but not being in control of the vehicle means I can’t pull over to the side of the road whenever I see something I like. I’m still working […]