My job gave me an unexpected winter hiatus, so I thought it’d be a great time to do a weekend getaway that’s a little too away from Los Angeles but the perfect distance from San Francisco: Fort Bragg and Mendocino.
There is a plethora of dog friendly places, but the lodging business was kicking off the new year with extraordinary prices. The most dog friendly place was $400 for just one night. Seeing as we’d be spending most of the time on the trails, that was a waste of money. I was already out a week of pay due to the hiatus; I didn’t want to go further into the hole.
Luckily Shoreline Cottages, a cute little motel/cottage establishment, seemed right up my alley. Not deserted enough to be creepy (as other low price venues were), but not bustling enough to make me feel like too many people were around. Not only did they have individual cabin/cottages, they had a fire pit and a private beach.
So on the first day of the year 2020, Tucker and I packed up and our trusty steed whisked us away on a three night, three day getaway to the Northern California Coast.
The day was rather rainy, and the journey across the valley to the coast up north took its toll on me. By the time we reached the shoreline, we could see no sea nor no shore. There would be no use trying to watch the sunset at the beach, but that’s okay. Tucker evidently was already worn out and wanted to prepare for a good adventure in the morning, so he made himself at home.
There is a plethora of dog friendly places, but the lodging business was kicking off the new year with extraordinary prices. The most dog friendly place was $400 for just one night. Seeing as we’d be spending most of the time on the trails, that was a waste of money. I was already out a week of pay due to the hiatus; I didn’t want to go further into the hole.
Luckily Shoreline Cottages, a cute little motel/cottage establishment, seemed right up my alley. Not deserted enough to be creepy (as other low price venues were), but not bustling enough to make me feel like too many people were around. Not only did they have individual cabin/cottages, they had a fire pit and a private beach.
So on the first day of the year 2020, Tucker and I packed up and our trusty steed whisked us away on a three night, three day getaway to the Northern California Coast.
The day was rather rainy, and the journey across the valley to the coast up north took its toll on me. By the time we reached the shoreline, we could see no sea nor no shore. There would be no use trying to watch the sunset at the beach, but that’s okay. Tucker evidently was already worn out and wanted to prepare for a good adventure in the morning, so he made himself at home.
(Now where am I supposed to sleep?)
The next morning, I had my grand plan to hike to Chamberlain Falls in the Jackson Demonstration Forest. I drove over to the fire station that gave out maps for such a task. Standing behind a couple who were getting their permit to go mushrooming, I heard all about the forest and closures—and how long it takes to get places. After speaking with the ranger who said their beach rivaled Mendicino, and her tip of, “Well the beach is right there if you wanted to check it out first,” I threw my plans out the window.
With the redwood waterfalls hike being at least a two hour drive away, I instead got back into my truck and drove 300 feet to MacKerricher State Park. The ranger was right: it was stunning.
The next morning, I had my grand plan to hike to Chamberlain Falls in the Jackson Demonstration Forest. I drove over to the fire station that gave out maps for such a task. Standing behind a couple who were getting their permit to go mushrooming, I heard all about the forest and closures—and how long it takes to get places. After speaking with the ranger who said their beach rivaled Mendicino, and her tip of, “Well the beach is right there if you wanted to check it out first,” I threw my plans out the window.
With the redwood waterfalls hike being at least a two hour drive away, I instead got back into my truck and drove 300 feet to MacKerricher State Park. The ranger was right: it was stunning.
Tucker and I climbed on rocks, and listened to the waves crash against the shore.
We took in the view from various angles.
And delighted in the bluest ocean waves I’ve ever seen, capped with frosty white edges.
When our beach wandering took us back to where we began, we meandered down Ka Kahleh Trail—the walking path along the bluff.
While the beach was an up close and personal view, the bluffside was a broad, far-range vista.
At the end of the trail was a compass. Here Tucker decided our fate on where to go next.
And after many attempts, we got a somewhat decent family photo in.
We walked the mile and half back to our steed, and headed south to the next place I wanted to tread: Caspar Headlands and Cabrillo Lighthouse.
Caspar Headlands wasn’t much headlands. It was a short jaunt through the woods along a road...
Caspar Headlands wasn’t much headlands. It was a short jaunt through the woods along a road...
... up through a field...
... and behind someone’s property. It seemed like we could have walked down the road to the lighthouse, but I wasn’t sure we’d make it back before dark to get through the forest. So we walked back to our starting point, and drove further south to…
Cabrillo Lighthouse.
There is no parking next to the lighthouse; it’s a good mile walk from the parking lot down to the lighthouse, so let's call that our second hike of the day. There was a shortcut… but really, was it a viable shortcut?
Cabrillo Lighthouse.
There is no parking next to the lighthouse; it’s a good mile walk from the parking lot down to the lighthouse, so let's call that our second hike of the day. There was a shortcut… but really, was it a viable shortcut?
We chose wisely and took the long way around, taking in the sea breeze and clear skies.
I admit I’ve never been this close to a lighthouse before—or rather, this close to the light of a lighthouse. Since it’s only one story up, I could see very clearly the weight and depth of the glass. It looks like a giant Christmas tree ornament.
Tucker seemed unimpressed.
Inside there was information abut the lighthouse, and of course people for Tucker to endear himself to for a few pets and attention.
Once outside, we ventured south along the bluff.
Once outside, we ventured south along the bluff.
The trail seemed to end here at the rocky outcroppings, where the sea splashed up onto the cliffs.
By the time we got back to the parking lot (via some tree climbing), the sun was low in the sky.
And so we had one more stop—the private beach to watch the sunset.
We hurried back up the two lane road to the cottages and got walking directions to the beach. A rather precarious journey involving going over a narrow bridge with traffic made me uneasy, but once to the trailhead of the beach, all was well.
There was one couple, and then there was Tucker and me.
We hurried back up the two lane road to the cottages and got walking directions to the beach. A rather precarious journey involving going over a narrow bridge with traffic made me uneasy, but once to the trailhead of the beach, all was well.
There was one couple, and then there was Tucker and me.
We gave the couple as much privacy as possible, setting up some ways away, while still getting a good view of the giant ball of fire making its descent toward the horizon.
After chewing on some tasty seaweed sticks, Tucker settled in and together we watched the sun set.
After chewing on some tasty seaweed sticks, Tucker settled in and together we watched the sun set.
We walked back to the cottages, and while I made dinner, Tucker took a nap. My faithful companion may have weeks of inactivity, but when it’s go time, he grabs his shut-eye when he can so he’s always ready for the next adventure.
(Again, where am I supposed to sleep?)
Dinner, wine, and Tucker fed, we went out to the fire pit to enjoy some warmth and community. A day with alone with Nature is always topped off nicely with a return to civilization.
Tucker got in some people attention, ate some treats, and enjoyed the fire.
Dinner, wine, and Tucker fed, we went out to the fire pit to enjoy some warmth and community. A day with alone with Nature is always topped off nicely with a return to civilization.
Tucker got in some people attention, ate some treats, and enjoyed the fire.
It seems I, too, go from inactivity to everything-activity in a moment’s notice. We could have spread out our vacation a little bit, but why not fill our days? Time management on vacation is not my strong suit, but it leads to some pretty fun adventures with spectacular sights. And that was just day one.
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