01
Best overall pick
Gualala Point Regional Park
Gualala River Mouth, South Of Anchor Bay • Oceanfront Bluff And Riverside Park • Best Overall Coastal Pick
Coastal bluffs, river-mouth views, and easy sand paths make this the go-to hike when you are staying in or around Anchor Bay.[1]
Just a few minutes south of town, Gualala Point Regional Park strings together mostly level trails along the Gualala River and out to the ocean bluffs.[1] You can keep things mellow on the paved path to the beach or wander farther along the headlands for a windier, more exposed hike with big-sky Pacific views.[1]
02
Best nearby loop
Bluff Trail Loop
Anchor Bay Coastline • Beach-And-Bluff Loop Trail • Classic Local Loop
A moderate loop that ties together beach walking and bluff-top singletrack for classic Anchor Bay scenery.[2]
The Bluff Trail Loop is a favorite among local hikers because it gives you a little bit of everything in one outing: surf, bluffs, and wide-open ocean vistas.[2] Sections of the route dip down to the sand before climbing back onto the headlands, so you can fine-tune the effort around tides and wind or shorten the loop if you are just out for a leg stretch.[2]
03
Best oceanfront ramble
Mendocino Headlands Trail
Mendocino Village Headlands • Clifftop Town-And-Coast Walk • Best Sunset And Storm Watching
A leisurely clifftop path circling Mendocino’s headlands with nonstop ocean views and easy access right from town.[6]
Roughly an hour north of Anchor Bay, the Mendocino Headlands Trail wraps around the village on a series of low, mostly flat coastal bluffs.[6] Short access paths from neighborhood streets let you drop in for a quick stroll or link up several segments into a longer circuit, with pocket beaches, arches, and sea caves to scout along the way.[6]
04
Best waterfall hike
Russian Gulch Fern Canyon and Waterfall Loop
Russian Gulch State Park, North Of Mendocino • Redwood Canyon And Creek Loop • Best Half-Day Adventure
A classic loop that trades surf sounds for creek music as you leave the cove and climb into a fern-filled canyon ending at a photogenic waterfall.[6][7]
For a full-on redwood and waterfall experience, head to Russian Gulch State Park and hike the Fern Canyon and Waterfall Loop.[6] The route follows a creek upstream through cool, shaded forest and lush canyon walls before reaching a dramatic falls, making it a rewarding half-day outing when you want more than a simple bluff walk.[6][7]
05
Best fern-filled escape
Fern Canyon Trail, Van Damme State Park
Van Damme State Park Near Little River • Shaded Creekside Canyon Trail • Best For A Mellow Forest Stroll
A gentle, mostly shaded out-and-back up a narrow canyon lined with ferns in Van Damme State Park.[7]
Closer to Little River, the Fern Canyon Trail in Van Damme State Park is a mellow alternative to steeper waterfall hikes.[7] Starting near the coast, the path gradually climbs along a creek into a cool, enclosed canyon where the walls are carpeted with ferns, ideal for families, newer hikers, or anyone easing into longer walks.[7]