Beachcombing

California's coastline is the longest in the lower forty eight. Mendocino County's coastline is the state's second longest. There are a multitude of beaches, coves, inlets and bluffs to explore. They include some of what we think are the most beautiful marine scenes in the world.

Artists come from all over the world to capture this world in film and pigment and words.

At low tide there are particularly long stretches of beach at MacKerricher and at Westport-Union Landing, but for many it is the smaller beaches that are hidden below the bluff all along the coast that offer the most charm. Collect some driftwood, explore the vivid colors of the animals that live in the tide pools, watch the constantly changing population of sea birds move along the coastal rocks searching for food. Smell the salt in the air and enjoy the solitude and privacy that can be yours almost anytime of the year on this wonderous coast of ours. If you are lucky you may even see a whale or two, particularly if you come during the Spring or Fall migrations.

While you are visiting check out some or all of our parks. Many of them offer access to a wide variety of pristine beaches.