Camp at MacKerricher State Park

MacKerricher State Park is the perfect spot if you want to camp on the beach without getting crushed by the Pacific winds. The 10 walk-in tent-only sites in the Surfwood Loop are nestled in the trees, giving you excellent privacy while keeping you close enough to the water to hear the waves. There are also over 130 sites spread throughout 4 loops that you can reserve in advance.

MacKerricher has beach access, hiking trails, fishing spots, wildlife boardwalks, and a 10 mile bike path along an old haul road. It’s a dream destination when you don’t want to use the car everyday. Be sure to check out the tidepools - they’re full of marine life as well as kids proudly showing parents their latest find.

Camping in MacKerricher also provides free entry into nearby state parks, including Russian Gulch SP and Van Damme SP. We enjoyed the Fern Canyon Trail to the waterfall in Russian Gulch SP.

If you don’t own a camp stove or don’t feel like dragging it out, head to Ft. Bragg and visit Eggheads Restaurant for breakfast and North Coast Brewing Co for dinner and beers.  Mendocino also has a cute downtown area with the requisite bakeries, lunch spots, and art shops.