The North Coast of California has beautiful redwoods and small coastal towns. It stretches along the Pacific from the Bay Area to the Oregon border. The inland valleys of Mendocino County are a significant wine-growing area, and the region is noted for organic produce and its art community. Recreation opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, boating, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding and simple sightseeing abound. For those with more urban tastes, art galleries, winetasting, and upscale restaurants are plentiful. Working harbors at Fort Bragg and Eureka offer opportunities for whale-watching, crabbing tours, ocean fishing and the chance to buy fresh salmon right from the boat. Even a simple drive along any road in this region is a refreshing experience. 39.307778-123.7994441 Mendocino 39.150278-123.2077782 Ukiah 40.866389-124.0827783 Arcata 40.801944-124.1636114 Eureka 39.445833-123.8052785 Fort Bragg 41.755833-124.2016676 Crescent City 38.448611-122.7047227 Santa Rosa 38.799167-123.0172228 Cloverdale 38.6175-122.8663899 Healdsburg 38.5142-123.2431 Fort Ross State Historic Park, 19005 Coast Highway One in Fort Ross (12 miles north of Jenner on Hwy 1). 10AM–4:30PM daily. Historic Russian outpost located on Historic Highway 1. Northern California was once claimed by the Russian empire, and Fort Ross was a settlement to support Russian fur traders. You can walk around the old fort and along miles of trails to the old cemetery and orchard. Some trails are challenging for people with mobility limitations, and all of them can be wet and windy. The museum offers cultural and historical information about the Russian, Alaskan, and Kashaya people who lived and traded in northern California. Picnic tables and wheelchair-accessible restrooms. No food is sold at the park. Fishing is permitted, and scuba divers can explore the wreck of the S.S. Pomona and collect shellfish (check warnings about seasonal marine biotoxins first). Tours of the fort are available in Russian and English. The Reef campgrounds closed in 2018, but there are multiple camping facilities within a short drive or bike ride, including at the nearby Salt Point State Park (8 miles north) and Sonoma Coast State Park (15 miles south). $8 per vehicle. (updated Feb 2021) 39.56-122.811 Mendocino National Forest - 41.43-1242 Redwood National Park - Ancient coast redwood ecosystem preserved in the park contains some of the planet's most majestic forests English is widely spoken and understood. Spanish is a minority language but not spoken as much as in the rest of the state. United Express flies into the Arcata-Eureka airport, near McKinleyville. United offers service from Denver International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport. Contour Airlines flies to/from Oakland into the airport in Crescent City, but keep in mind that flights are expensive and scarce at this particular airport. There are various Amtrak terminals on the North Coast but none go north of the Eureka area. Greyhound has terminals in Arcata, Eureka, and Rio Dell. (Note: The Eureka station is not a full-service station). Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, American Eagle, and United Express flies from Santa Rosa (STS) direct to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, Las Vegas, Los Angeles International Airport, Orange County (CA), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Portland (OR), San Francisco International Airport, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. There are taxi cab companies, shuttles, and buses that provide public transportation. Crescent City is home to Ocean World. This is an aquarium similar to Sea World (but much smaller). Klamath is where the Trees of Mystery park is located. In addition to the actual trees, there is a statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. There are three drive-thru redwood trees. One is the Chandlier Tree in Leggett. This is north of Laytonville, near the Highway 101 and Highway 1 junction. The other two are located in Myers Flat (a town on the Avenue of the Giants)and Klamath (a town south of Crescent City). There is a Redwoods National Park and a Redwoods State Park. Avenue of the Giants is a road that runs alongside of Highway 101. It takes you through or near the following towns: Phillipsville, Miranda, Myers Flat, Weott, Redcrest, and Pepperwood. Many of the businesses that cater to tourists close after the summer tourist season. Phone ahead to verify opening dates and times. Confusion Hill is near Piercy. This is a tourist attraction similar to the many so-called, "Mystery Spots." Goat Rock Beach on Highway 1 between Jenner and Bodega Bay is a particularly scenic spot on the Sonoma Coast. There are many public beaches in this area, but most are too treacherous for swimming. The Alexander Valley, Anderson Valley, Napa Valley, Dry Creek, and Russian River wine regions are all a day trip from Santa Rosa. There are hundreds of wineries, with tasting fees ranging anywhere from free to $20 and up. While most of the tourist-heavy wineries in Napa charge for a taste, many of the smaller operations in Sonoma and Mendocino counties do not. Violent crime is low because the population is small on the North Coast. The usual safety precautions should be exercised. Head north to the Oregon Coast or south to the Bay Area.
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