Ocean Headlands....Incredible!

We arrived at Fort Bragg on October 17 and stayed at Pomo RV Park. Our purpose for going to Fort Bragg was to spend a week by the Pacific Ocean. Our RV park location was perfect. Basically a five minute drive to the headlands, where we explored, hiked, and watched incredible sunsets.

With the exception of a raven, the size of a small child, threatening to steal my sandwich, watching the sun set from a coastal headland is absolutely incredible! Life is so good!

Our first full day was just exploring the coastline, walking out on headlands and just taking in the views and listening to the roar of the waves as they crash into the sea stacks scattered along the coastline.

We also spent some time exploring sea glass beach! It’s crazy to think that such beauty started as trash. Until 1959 the area was Fort Bragg’s garbage dump! Years of smoldering fires and saltwater spray melted and twisted old cars, household trash, electrical materials and other discarded items, turning them into fantastical shapes. Meanwhile, the constant rolling of the surf ground bits of glass and ceramic into smooth beach confetti! Unfortunately, this beauty on the beach is slowly disappearing as both locals and visitors cart off objects and take handfuls of glass “jewels”. We actually saw folks scooping up handfuls while we were there. It’s most unfortunate. Apparently the amount of sea glass today is a fraction of what it was in the early 1980s.

After visiting sea glass beach we decided to walk the Noyo Headlands trail, which is basically a beautiful paved trail running along the coastline. Afterwards we went for fish and chips and beer at a cute little place down on the marina that was recommended. It was pretty good. I’d rate the fish and chips an 8.5. It’s tough when I seem to always compare our fish and chips experiences to PEI’s fish and chips. Very high bar! Anyway, this place was pretty cool. I enjoyed a stout and Barry had his IPA. While eating we were entertained by the resident otter who stopped by for a visit and say hello.

We spent one day exploring Mendocino, a coastal hamlet located about 15 minutes from Fort Bragg. It’s an obvious magnet for artists! Lots of quaint galleries where you can occasionally see the artists sitting outside creating their next piece of art inspired by the dramatic coastline, or the saltbox cottages and Victorian homes that are scattered throughout the Mendocino. The streets are lined with lots of great shops, including the Mendocino Chocolate shop, pubs, restaurants, and various other gift shops. We of course, stopped in for chocolate to pick up dessert before heading to Patterson’s Pub for more fish and chips. They were really good, but honestly we’re done with fish and chips for a while!! On a sidenote, got my hair done in Mendocino…it was the craziest hair experience I’ve ever had. My hair, not great at all, but it’s hair. It will grow out!! I wouldn’t change the experience! Sally was a hoot!!

With a full week hanging by the ocean, on our last day we went for a hike to a waterfall at Russian Gulch State Park. AllTrails indicated it was 6.3 km, which was perfect; however, when we were about a km into the hike we hit a detour. Part of our trail was closed. No biggie…it ended up being I believe about 11 km in total. Of course we may have gotten off route once or twice. I have to say the waterfall was not impressive at all compared to other waterfalls we’ve been fortunate enough to see.

Having said that, it about the journey, right, and the journey was fun!!! And the mushrooms…so many types of mushrooms!!!

Overall, we loved our visit to Fort Bragg! Mendocino was awesome! Heading to Cloverdale. Don’t forget to check out the pictures from Fort Bragg by clicking this link.