Hiking Guide

If you are an avid hiker, you should not miss hiking on the Northern Coast of California. This part of the state has lots of hiking options for you. As we know, California has many beautiful places for hiking enthusiasts to visit. Among them are the Point Reyes National Seashore, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, John Muir National Historic Site, and many more. But for a start, let’s hike on the Northern Coast. 

California hiking some 20 miles north of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge will give you an idea of a California you never knew existed. Following the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1), meander past pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, grazing horses, and towns right out of the 1950s and at the end of it all are ancient redwood forests, rugged coastlines, picturesque vineyards, and charming country inns. 

Your first stop in your California hiking trip is in a town nestled in a redwood forest near the Russian River. It’s Occidental town, which was once a lumber and railroad center. Today, it is known for its family-style Italian restaurants.  Here, you will get a chance to see whales and sportfish at Bodega Bay. You can also check the wineries along the Russian River Wine Road. Don’t forget to stop by the Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve too. 

After Occidental, keep your eyes open because the next town is one of those blink-your-eyes-and-you-miss-it towns. Perched high on a cliff overlooking a mile of picturesque coastline along Route 1, Elk is 20 miles south of Mendocino. Almost a century ago, Elk was a bustling port with a thriving lumber industry and a population of 2,000. 

In this town, you can find migrating whales which can be spotted off the coast in December when they head south, and in the early spring when they head north with their calves. You can also have horseback riding, whale-watching boat trips or a picnic lunch.  Hiking through the fifteen wineries in Elk is something you should not missed. 

Next stop on your California hiking is Mendocino. This picturesque bluff-top village is surrounded on three sides by rugged coastline. Mendocino is known for its ultra-unique architecture, reflecting the town’s roots (it’s early settlers were from New England). 

Mendocino has the distinction of having the prettiest main streets in America. Every shop in the four-block area has an ocean view. These shops are the Book Loft with a good selection of books, Mendocino Art Center Showcase Gallery featuring the work of local artists and crafters, Mendocino Chocolate Co. famous for its handmade truffles, and several more. 

And do you know that Mendocino is popular among filmmakers? Its beautiful view has been the setting of several films starting in the silent era film.  To date, there are more than 50 films that have been shot here, including six that have received various Academy Awards, including – Johnny Belinda (1948), East of Eden (1955), and The Summer of ’42 (1971). 

Hiking on the Northern Coast of California has never had this many choices. If you are adventurous, you can visit more places that some hikers have never been to. And after your Northern California hike, don’t forget to hike in some other popular places in California for that total hiking adventure.