You don’t need a car to transport yourself plus a backpack or bicycle to Mendocino County’s most exhilarating places. Here are six day or weekend trips for hikers and bikers who want to maximize the scenic factor while minimizing their carbon footprints. MTA’s van-style buses have bike racks for two to three bicycles and room for several more inside. There is no extra charge … [Read more...]
Gualala & Anchor Bay
Gualala
115 miles north of San Francisco, Gualala sits at the dramatic convergence of rolling coastal hills, the Pacific Ocean and the Gualala River. The southern coastal gateway to Mendocino County, Gualala is a delightful resort area and a favorite whale-watching spot.
Anchor Bay
If you travel 3 miles north from Gualala, you’ll find the beautiful and secluded village of Anchor Bay. Anchor Bay offers relaxation, natural beauty and a peaceful, tranquil environment for spending vacation time along Mendocino’s South Coast.
#5 – A “Road Less Traveled” from Hopland to Ukiah
If you’re headed from Hopland to Ukiah and you’re not in a hurry, and if you’d like to take in some Northern California countryside not often seen by visitors, here’s a 55-mile tour with stretches that range from the serene to the pulse-pounding. It’s perfect for experienced motorcyclists looking for a challenging ride, and it’s a treat for adventuresome motorists. There are … [Read more...]
#6 – Gualala Point Regional Park
Open daily from dawn till dusk, Gualala Point Regional Park is popular with day hikers and picnickers, and even offers a beautiful setting for small weddings. This lovely park encompasses almost 200 acres of peaceful meadows, dramatic coastal forests and delightful sandy beaches. The Gualala River runs lazily through it, and offers limited seasonal fishing (check the local … [Read more...]
#7 – Anchor Bay & Fish Rock Beach
When Sunset magazine ran a feature called “Top 10 Beaches of the West” a few years ago, Anchor Bay came in at number 3, just behind ‘Aliomanu Beach in Kauai, Hawaii, and well ahead of beaches in Carmel, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Located in the heart of the Mendocino “banana belt,” the coastal village of Anchor Bay is warmer, with less fog and wind, than the surrounding … [Read more...]
#8 – Garcia River Casino
Located right off California Highway 1 just outside of Point Arena, the Garcia River Casino offers the latest and best in new and progressive slots, including top titles like Wheel of Fortune, Lightning Link, Buffalo Grand and Fort Knox. The River Grill serves Breakfast until 2pm, as well as tasty lunches, nightly dinner specials and tantalizing desserts. Relax between games … [Read more...]