The Mendocino Coast
The Mendocino coast represents ample opportunity for photographers of all levels to capture stunning beauty. From colorful sunsets on the beach in Elk, CA to rugged shots of the coastline in Westport, CA. Read about some of the favorite areas to shoot below.
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Elk | The Greenwood State Beach in Elk provides views of sea caves and dark iconic sea stack rocks. |
| Fort Bragg | Historical buildings from the 1800s and a lovely downtown area provide great opportunities for street and architecture photography. Visit the Otis R. Johnson Wilderness park for a beautiful woodland walk through redwoods and ferns. |
| MacKerricher State Park | Miles of trail along the coastline include sand dunes at 10 Mile Beach, a boardwalk through the headlands, and a variety of wildlife. |
| Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens | Trails weave through an amazing variety of plants including towering rhododendrons, a comprehensive heather garden, a rose garden, and a beautiful array of fuchsias. Trails along the coast feature more opportunities for the photographer. |
| Town of Mendocino | As part of the National Register of Historic Places you will find beautiful historic buildings, iconic water towers, and unique gardens. |
| Mendocino Headlands | Follow the trail along the coastline for a variety of sea birds including Cormorants, Common Murres, Pelicans and more. Take the Big River Trail from Big River Beach for a wooded walk along the river featuring a variety of wildlife including river otters, seals, herons, and hawks. |
| Noyo Harbor | A working fishing marina features boats coming and going as well as home to a variety of wildlife including sea lions, seals, river otters, and sea birds. |
| Noyo Headlands | A paved trail follows the coastline providing views of the harbor inlet and a few miles of scenic coastal views. |
| Point Cabrillo Light Station | The lighthouse is a great photo destination where you can also hike along the coast to find wildlife such as seals, sea lions, long tailed weasels and deer. |
| Russian Gulch State Park | From beautiful coastal views to fern lined trails through the redwoods, this park has a variety of photogenic hikes. Take the Fern trail to a scenic waterfall or walk to the beach for a grand bridge view. |
Mendo Coast Photography Club 