Outdoors

  • Weekend whale talks at MacKerricher State Park will continue through the weekend of the Fort Bragg Whale Festival, March 17-18.

    Knowledgeable docents talk about the annual gray whale migration and about other marine mammals seen along the Mendocino coast.

    Programs are scheduled to begin every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

    For more information call (707) 961-0471 or (707) 964-8898.

  • The Noyo Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and developing interest in the growing and culture of rhododendrons.

    We meet monthly from September through May in Fort Bragg and feature interesting speakers each month on a wide variety of plant subjects. The Noyo Chapter also hosts an annual show which is open to the public free of charge each Spring.

    In 2012 the 35th Annual John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show...


  • Plan a day getting to know Giants and Pygmies ... forests that is.

    Giant redwoods are easy to find with 13 Redwood parks in Mendocino County; two close to Fort Bragg and two more with large stands of old growth redwoods, just a short drive.

    • Otis R. Johnson Wilderness Park - Located right in Fort Bragg, at the east end of Laurel Street. The park offers shady walking trails and a...
  • Abalone Diving is a popular pursuit on the Mendocino Coast and there are ocean access points all around Fort Bragg.

    Blake Tallman of Sub-Surface Progression dive shop on Highway 1 in Fort Bragg offers this personal account of local ab diving:

    My dad opened the first Mendocino Coast dive shop more than 30 years ago, so I learned to dive at a very early age. I now run the shop, and after diving in other parts of the world, I’ve discovered our marine life is abundant and...

  • Beautiful beaches are abundant and close to downtown lodging in Fort Bragg.

     

    At the south end of town are Jug Handle State Reserve and Pudding Creek Beaches (a popular surf spot). At the north end of town is the beach at Pudding Creek Trestle and a half-mile beyond that is a Virgin Creek Beach, a...

  • Kayaking in Fort Bragg is one of our great adventures.

    "This is the best coastal kayaking in all of California! Paddling only four miles took six hours because there were so many caves, arches, wave pour-overs, sea birds and seals to check out," said one visitor. "Big safe beaches to land on and launch from, and expert guides to take us safely through every feature."

    Two local outdoor adventure companies are ready to get you on the water.

    ...

  • MacKerricher State Park offers a variety of habitats; beach, bluff, headland, dune, forest and wetland. Tidepools are along the shore. Seals may be seen on the rocks off the park's coastline. More than 90 species of birds visit or live near Cleone Lake, a formal tidal lagoon. During winter and spring, the nearby headland provides a good lookout for whale watching....

  •  

    Located at the east end of Laurel Street, just a mile or so from Downtown Fort Bragg, Otis Johnson Wilderness Park is a rare find among city parks with seven-acre park offers shady walking trails and a close-up experience with nature. Yet, it is so close to lodging and shopping. In October 2007 the City applied for funding and began work in 2010 to enhance the Park's recreational opportunities, restore habitat, and improve public access and park...

  • Whale Watching is one of Fort Bragg's most popular attractions during the winter and spring, when Gray and Humpback whales make their annual migration along the coast. After spending the summer months feeding in the waters of the Arctic, these giant creatures travel south to Baja, California to mate and nurse their young. In late spring, the whales head north again, for another summer of feeding. Whales can very often been seen just offshore at MacKerricher State Park, or many of the other...

  • The Fort Bragg Skate Park is a must for families that skateboard together and skateboarders looking for a place to practice their moves or sharpen their skills. The park is a haven for the many skateboarders and board sports enthusiasts living and visiting the Mendocino coast.

    A work in progress, the Fort Bragg Skate Park boasts a number of unique obstacles as well as standard skate park features nestled in a quiet neighborhood. It borders the aquatic and fitness center which makes it...