Schooner Gulch & Bowling Ball Beaches

Along Point Arena Lighthouse Road there is an access trailhead to Stornetta Public Lands, which is part of the Bureau of Land Management system. There is a wonderful coastal trail that offers great views of the rugged coastline. From the trailhead, you will be walking south across an open field with views all around. I walked about 2.5 miles out and back. The trail went on further. I wish I had...

Point Arena Lighthouse is situated on the piece of land that is the closest to the Hawaiian Islands from the continental United States. The lighthouse stands at 115 feet high and you are able to go to the top. I did not have time for this, unfortunately but definitely something I will take advantage of on my next visit. What I did make time for was to hike a short trail that flanked the lightho...

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 goes around the outside of the lighthouse (very windy). This is extra fun if you're not a fan of hei...

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 bounty of comforts. The camp is home to  200+ acres with 15 cabins, 29 Adirondacks (open air cabins)...

Northern California beaches are not your typical soft sand, warm water, grab a surf board type of spots. Of course when the weather is cooperating you can enjoy those activities as well! What makes this spot so special is how few people ever come and enjoy the raw beauty of this landscape. If you take Highway 128 all the way to the coast, it is the first beach you run into once you see the sea....

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 and plantlife due to the acidic nature of the soil. The main North Trail trailhead begins on Highwa...