Park & nature
Mendocino Headlands State Park
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Mendocino Headlands State Park surrounds the town of Mendocino with a wild, windswept landscape of steep cliffs and crashing waves. Visitors can walk or bike along well-maintained trails that hug the bluffs, offering uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean and sea stacks. The park's open headlands are perfect for picnicking, whale watching, and photography, especially at sunset. Its distinctive feature is the way it seamlessly connects the historic village with the raw coastal edge, providing easy access to nature from downtown.
Don't miss
- Walk the Headlands Trail for continuous ocean views and wildflower displays in spring.
- Watch for migrating gray whales from December through April from the bluffs.
- Photograph the iconic Mendocino Coastline and sea stacks from the cliffside overlooks.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Mendocino Headlands State Park
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inDriving the California Coast: A Self-Guided Audio Tour4.6★ · 17 travelers2–3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$15 per personSee dates →
Best full daySmall Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco4.9★ · 4,006 travelers~14 hoursFree cancellationFrom$239 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleRedwoods Railbike Along Pudding Creek4.7★ · 260 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$286 per personSee dates →More attractions in Mendocino