Mendocino Coast has so much to see and do that it is very easy to miss some of the most unique sights on the coast. And sometimes even if you plan to see certain sites you have to be there at the right time to do so. So our suggestion to you is when you plan your trip to Mendocino Coast, to figure out the exact times for when the weather is in your favor based on seasons, tide tables, and weather. And then plan all your other sight seeing and adventures around your special stops.
I’m currently reading The Myths of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky and I am blown away by what I’m learning. For the first two years of marriage many of us feel passionate love towards our spouses. We smile while being in traffic because we are thinking about our spouse. However, marital bliss, like a new car or home is prone to adaption. Our passionate love turns into compassionate love. 1st kisses or “I love you” can never be first again so with time we get used to them. However, so many of us want that passionate love all of the time but that kind of love can not endure for a long time. If we obsessed over our spouses every day for the rest of our life we would not be as productive at work or attentive to our children or health. Disney totally sold us a different story growing up. The great news is that there is hope for us who have been married for many years. 16 years and counting here!!! In this book she talks about the importance of surprise, appreciating, and variety. I so agree. Surprises are a great way to show our spouses that we are thinking about them and we care about them. They don’t have to be big. They can be as simple as making Okroshka (Russian cold soup) for your spouse after he mentions how he loved his mother soup. I never had this soup growing up because my mother never made this soup so it sure was a surprise. Appreciating your spouse and not comparing them to someone else’s husband is so important. I thank my husband for taking us places, for buying us things, and for working so hard so that I can stay home with our children. My favorite is variety. That is why we hardly ever go on the same hiking trail or vacation. We love exploring new places together. We love trying new things. Starting new goals or activities. When we travel good and bad things happen. On every trip we have a new story. We learn new things about ourselves and about each other. Even though, I agree with all she said I still think that the #1 thing to have a healthy and happy marriage is having God as your center. So if your marriage isn’t doing so well and if your not so happy,…cry out to God. Open his word and see what he has to say to you. Name and write down the things you love about your spouse and then let him know. Surprise him by doing something you know he likes. Bring breakfast to bed. Change up some of the things that you do. Go somewhere new. Marriage takes so much maintenance. It is easy to say I do. But it takes time to keep a marriage happy and healthy.
Bowling Ball Beach
The trailhead to the bowling beach is so easy to miss. Once you find the parking lot and park your car, make sure to take the trail furthest from the bridge because most people (even us) take the one that takes you to Schooner Gulch State Beach because it is well marked whereas bowling bowl beach is not marked. This was our second attempt to see the bowling bowl beach because our first attempt was not successful. On our first attempt we stopped by because we were driving by but we came at the wrong time (during high tides). We came when the tide was -0.52 ft.
These bowling balls come from the cliff. This is known as “concretion.” Can you believe that these concretions that look like beach balls eroded from the sandstone beds? Super cool, if I may say so. This natural wonder is something you don’t want to drive past if your in the area.
Located at Coast Hwy, Point Arena, CA. Mile marker 11.50.
Van Damme Pygmy Forest Natural Preserve
You can enjoy this trail year round. Many miss this forest because it is tucked away on one of the less traveled roads. This is a self guided trail and here you will be able to see everything that the state is trying to preserve for generations to come. You would think that a forest that is 100 years old would have large trees but this is not the case here. The trees here are so small because of the soil lacks nutrients needed for trees and plants to grow properly. It is amazing to see how these trees can still survive. This trail is only 0.2 miles long. This is a very easy hike. There are signs throughout the trail telling you what type of tree or plant you are looking at.
Located at 8001 CA-1, Little River, CA 95456.
Jug Handle Beach
There are a lot of great beaches on Mendocino Coast but it is difficult to find a beach which you can enjoy all to yourself. Jug Handle Beach is one of those beaches that is easy to miss even if your looking for it. We sure passed right past it and we had to turn around and go back. After a short walk down a path that had wooden stairs we were at the beach. We were able to enjoy the entire beach to ourselves without seeing another person. The sand here is so soft. The beautiful arched bridge that is above the Jug Handle Creek was built in 1938.
Located at 15700 North Highway 1, Caspar, California 95420.
Pacific Star Winery
Wine tasting is not something that comes to mind when your planning a visit to Mendocino Coast. Most of us stack up on wine on the way to the coast because unless you are coming from Oregon you most likely traveled through the wine country. And because of that most travelers who drink plan to do wine tasting before they get here. However, we found a winery right on the coast with one of the best views in the state of California. Pacific Star Winery is a bit North of Fort Bragg. The atmosphere here is amazing. It is laid back and we were able to walk outside while we did our wine tasting. The wine we enjoyed the most was Dad’s Daily Wine.
Did you know that centenarians who drink do it as a ritual (before they go to bed or with their dinner)?
Located at 33000 CA-1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437.
Mendocino Bay Overlook
Looking to find a great view for a picnic then look no further. There are no picnic tables but if you have your own table and chairs or a blanket then you can find a romantic place with a beautiful view just about anywhere you look.
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