Mendocino - Big River Beach (Mendocino Headlands State Park)

Big River Road (North of Big River Bridge)
Mendocino, California 95460
Mendocino County
Website
Phone: 707-937-5804

In any season, a visit to the Mendocino Headlands and Big River Beach will provide a memorable experience.  You might visit to escape to a cool summer climate or just to enjoy the beauty that surrounds the area but no matter the reason, you'll find a unique blend of natural, ecological, cultural and social diversity.  
The Mendocino Headlands is a massive park and Big River Beach is just one part of it.  Within the park, this is the best beach so bring your beach toys and get ready to have some fun at Mendocino Bay enjoying the sunshine, fresh air and incredible views. 
How to get there:
From Highway 101, take Big River Road which will be just north of Big River Bridge and just south of the town of Mendocino.  Big River Road will be on the east side of the highway.  Follow it to the bottom of the hill and turn right to the parking lot.  The beach is located on the other side of the bridge from the parking lot. 
There are also trails that lead to the beach from Church Street, off of Main Street and behind Mendocino Pesbyterian Church. 
More info:
There is no fee to enjoy the beach, the nearby Big River Estuary or the Mendocino Headlands.  For more info, visit the Mendocino Headlands Website. 
Other things to do in the area:
On Fridays, check out the Mendocino Farmers' Market for fresh goods. Just north of Mendocino is the beautiful Russian Gulch State Park and to the south, take a visit to Van Damme State Park. Mendocino also has an incredible array of Art Galleries. 
*Click on the photos below to enlarge them