Sonoma-Mendocino Coast Scenic Drive

An Outstanding Way to Experience the California Coast

Sonoma-Mendocino Coast Scenic Drive PhotoThe Sonoma-Mendocino Coast scenic drive takes you along California’s magnificent Pacific coast from the Marin Peninsula north of the Golden Gate Bridge to south of Eureka. See interesting historic sites, old growth redwood forests, and beautiful beaches. This scenic drive ranked as one of the top five getaways in North America for 2005.

Get a picture of The Golden Gate Bridge from Marin Headlands and Explore the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Golden Gate Transit offers a free shuttle service between Marin City and Manzanita Park and also to Muir Woods on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The Muir Woods National Monument shows the last old growth redwood forest and the Muir Beach Overlook provides a wonderful view of the California coastline.

Enjoy the panoramic views of Point Reyes National Seashore. From January to May you can look for migrating whales and in the spring you can see the blooming wildflowers.

Sonoma Coast State Beach is another place you can look for migrating gray whales from the high cliffs. Here there are many trails to small, sandy coves with spectacular views.

Have a picnic at Goat Rock, near the mouth of the Russian River. Goat Rock is known for its scenic shoreline, easily accessible sandy beach, and for harbor seal viewing.

There are many wonderful State Parks and sites to see. Salt Point State Park includes twenty miles of hiking trails, over six miles of rugged coastline, and an underwater park. You can take a walk in the spring around the beautiful pink rhododendron flowers at Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve, tour the beautiful Point Arena Lighthouse or tour the coast on a kayak from Van Damme State Park. In the spring, you can see wildflowers and in the winter, look for grey whales at Mendocino Headlands State Park. Visit Fort Bragg on the scenic Mendocino coast and explore the Russian Gulch State Park which is two miles north of Mendocino. See the Devil’s Punch Bowl which is a cave with churning water, swim at the beach, explore the tide pools, go hiking or biking on the three-mile paved trail, and see the amazing 36-foot high waterfall.

There are many California KOA Campgrounds along the scenic drive, so make your reservations and enjoy your trip!