Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Van Damme State Park
Three miles south of Mendocino, this gorgeous 1831-acre
park
( 707-937-5804;
www.parks.ca.gov
; per car $8)
draws divers, beachcombers and kayakers to its easy-access
beach. It's also known for its
pygmy forest
, where the acidic soil and an impenetrable lay-
er of hardpan just below the surface create a bonsai forest with decades-old trees growing
only several feet high. A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk provides access to the forest. To
get here, turn east off Hwy 1 onto Little River Airport Rd, a half-mile south of Van
Damme State Park, and drive for 3 miles. Alternatively, hike or bike up from the camp-
ground on the 3.5-mile
Fern Canyon Scenic Trail
, which crosses back and forth over
Little River.
The
visitor center
( 707-937-4016; 10am-3pm Fri-Sun)
has nature exhibits, videos and
programs; a half-hour
Marsh Loop Trail
starts nearby.
)
are excellent for family car camping. They both have hot showers: one is just off Hwy
1, the other is in a highland meadow, which has lots of space for kids to run around. Nine
environmental campsites
(tent sites $25) lie just a 1ΒΌ-mile hike up Fern Canyon; there's
untreated creek water.
For sea-cave kayaking tours ($60), contact
Kayak Mendocino
(
707-937-0700;
