Philo, California

Camp Navarro is located about 2.5 hours north of San Francisco. This redwood getaway is nestled between branches of the North Fork of the Navarro River. Equipped with a lodge, coffee, shop, water and toilets, Camp Navarro allows you to escape from the stresses of city life while still enjoying a ...

Go into the museum and gift shop first and have a look around at all the cool stuff they have from the lighthouse. Once you're done checking everything out in there, go make your way up the spiral staircase to the tippy top. You can stop just before the peak and go for a walk on the landing that ...

Red Mountain has 10 units, toilets, barbecue grates, and picnic tables. There is no potable water at this time.To get there, from Ukiah, exit U.S. 101 South at Talmage Road, then 1.5 miles east to Eastside Road. Turn right and proceed 0.3 mile to Mill Creek Road. Follow Mill Creek Road 5 miles to...

Big River is a 40 mile or so river in the heart of Mendocino and its first 8 miles form the largest undeveloped estuary remaining in California. It is home to some amazing wildlife from seals to jellyfish to the endangered California Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, and Steelhead Trout. If you are lu...

Make your way around the back of the Chevron on Main st. in town and just keep following the stairs down to the little trail that leads to the beach.  The beach is beautiful with soft sand. Dogs are allowed but please note they are supposed to be on leash. Obviously our group wasn't too upset by ...

The town of Mendocino is as charming and quaint as one can find. It is no wonder why it was pegged as the perfect location spot to film the series Murder She Wrote. While the series heroine Jessica Fletcher's home can still be visited, it is the bay itself that will draw your attention.  Startin...

Glass Beach is located at MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, CA along the Pacific Coast Highway in Northern California. Take Elm street toward the beach and the parking lot entrance for glass beach will be located on the left at the bend. From here, its a short walk on some pathways. This be...

Clear Lake State Park is only two hours from downtown San Francisco and Sacramento. The state park offers amazing opportunities to photograph deer in the area and pick blackberries for breakfast on a morning stroll. On my visit I saw over 15 deer and one buck in full velvet. The sunrise and sunse...

Salt Point State Park, about 90 miles north of San Francisco, features rugged, windswept coastline and dramatic forests of cypress, pine and redwoods. The North trail is a great way to experience much of the inland portion of the park including the unique Pygmy Forest, named for the stunted trees...

Arrive an hour or so before sunset and have plenty of time to explore a ton of different things. Walk along the beach, we had it to ourselves mind you. Not another footprint in the sand. Stroll around the boardwalks out to the point. Walk down to the tide pools, and stayed for one of the most spe...

Salt Point State Park, about 90 miles north of San Francisco, features rugged, windswept coastline and dramatic forests of cypress, pine and redwoods. The Central Trail is a great way to experience much of the inland portion of the park including a unique highland Prairie where elk graze and are ...

Salt Point State Park is a state park in Sonoma County, California, United States. The park covers 6,000 acres (2,400 ha) on the coast of Northern California, with 20 miles (32 km) of hiking trails and over 6 miles (9.7 km) of a rough rocky coast line including Salt Point which protrudes into the...

There are numerous points at which you can enter the trail from Highway 1, but on the north it begins as the Salt Point / Stump Beach Parking area and proceeds 1.2 miles to the Visitor Center (and south entrance) at the Gerstle Cove State Marine area, one of the first underwater state parks in Ca...

Jenner is a great spot to head out in calm water with your abalone gear. The dives will be in depths of 10 to 15 ft. of water, with visibility usually in the 5-20 ft. range. Spend a little time doing your homework before entering the water and you'll be able to find easier entry areas.When you he...

The main boulder is right there on the water. You literally have to watch out for the waves coming up on the shore otherwise they might wipe out your camp. But it's an awesome spot with even more awesome routes. There's also a traverse along the back wall if you're looking for something a little ...

I know it can be difficult to find access and opportunities to camp for free on the beach. Look no further, Blues Beach is off the beaten path and offers year round surf and free camping. It’s 200 miles North of San Francisco and a few miles North of Fort Bragg. As long as you keep your eyes on t...