01
Best nearby swim spot
Lake Mendocino – Pomo A Day Use Area
North Shore Of Lake Mendocino • Easygoing Lake Swim Beach • Closest Beach To Calpella
A sandy, kid-friendly swim area just up the road, with classic lake views and simple amenities.
If you want sand and water without committing to a full coastal drive, Pomo A is the go-to spot. There is enough shoreline for families to spread out, shallow entry for casual wading, and room to launch inflatables or paddleboards. Expect a low-key, local crowd on hot summer afternoons.
02
Quiet lakeside option
Lake Mendocino – Bushay Recreation Area Beach
West Side Of Lake Mendocino • Relaxed Lakeside Cove • Best For Uncrowded Lake Days
A more tucked-away stretch of shoreline with a mellow vibe and easy water access.
Bushay’s small beach areas feel a bit more removed than the busier day-use zones, which makes them appealing for laid-back picnics and reading in the sun. The sloping shoreline offers straightforward entry into the water for swimming and paddling. It is a solid choice when you want lake time with fewer neighbors and plenty of sky overhead.
03
Classic coastal day trip
Big River Beach at Mendocino Headlands State Park
Mendocino Village Waterfront • Wide Sandy River-Mouth Beach • Best All-Around Coastal Day Trip
A long, sandy stretch where the river meets the ocean, framed by Mendocino’s bluffs and village rooftops.
Big River Beach gives you that full Mendocino Coast experience in one stop: dunes, river, surf, and postcard views of the headlands. Walk the broad sand, watch paddlers slip upriver, or set up near the dunes for a more sheltered feel on breezier days. With the village just above, it is easy to pair beach time with a coffee, snack, or sunset drink in town.
04
Sheltered cove pick
Van Damme State Beach
Little River Coast, South Of Mendocino • Sheltered Cove With Tidepools • Great For Kayaking And Snorkeling
A compact, protected cove that feels intimate, with calm water by local standards and rocky edges to explore.
Van Damme sits in a natural pocket, so it often feels more protected than exposed stretches of coast nearby. On calmer days, the cove works well for launching kayaks and, for prepared visitors, snorkeling around the kelp beds and rocks. When the tide cooperates, the edges of the beach reveal tidepools and small rocky nooks that kids and curious adults tend to love.
05
Most iconic coastline
Glass Beach – MacKerricher State Park
Fort Bragg North Coast • Quirky Cove With Sea Glass And Bluffs • Most Photogenic Shoreline
Wave-carved coves scattered with worn sea glass, set below rugged bluffs and wave-swept rocks.
Glass Beach is less about lounging on a towel and more about wandering, looking down, and taking in the strange beauty of polished glass mixed with sand and stone. Short paths from the parking area lead to overlooks and a patchwork of small coves, each with slightly different textures and colors. It makes a great capstone to a Fort Bragg or Mendocino day trip when you want memorable photos and a shoreline that feels unlike anywhere else in the county.