LOCATION: Fort Bragg, California
NOYO HARBOR & BEACH: One of the west coast's most scenic harbors,
Noyo Harbor is tucked into the wooded hills at the south end of
Fort Bragg. You may remember seeing Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell
sailing out of Noyo Harbor at the end of the movie “Overboard”
(if so, get out more). Noyo Harbor is the starting point for a
day out on the ocean, whether it's on a fishing or whale watching
charter, or paddling your own kayak. When you return, have dinner
in one of the many fine restaurants located in Noyo Harbor.
NOYO HARBOR & BEACH ACTIVITIES:
Boating, fishing, whale watching, kayaking and charter boats.
You can enjoy sport fishing for salmon, rock cod or crabbing,
whale watching, sunset and bay cruises and the like. If you prefer
deep sea fishing, anchor charter boats are available and the fishing
is supreme. Salmon and Rockfish are the most popular catches and
you can find out about the excursion boats at the Noyo Fishing
Center.
NOYO HARBOR & BEACH ATTRACTIONS:
Glass Beach - Glass Beach is one of the most unique beaches in
the world, because over time the pounding surf actually corrected
one of man's mistakes. Actually once a public dump over 30 years
ago, is now a wonderful site seeing spot that nature has so wonderfully
re-claimed. Years of pounding wave action have deposited tons
of polished glass onto the beach and given the beach its name.
There are literally millions of tiny pieces of glass sparkling
in the sun. In addition to searching for and collecting glass,
Glass Beach has a very interesting array of tide pools to explore.
Crabs, mollusks, and many aquatic plants make their homes in these
ever changing environments.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens - Mendocino Coast Botanical
Gardens offers everything from colorful displays to thunderous
waves. The mild marine climate makes it a garden for all seasons,
attracting gardeners and nature lovers alike. Manicured formal
gardens, a dense coastal pine forest, fern-covered canyons, diverse
plant collections, and flower-filled coastal bluffs overlooking
the blue Pacific Ocean are among the many attractions. Whale watchers
can take shelter in the Cliff House to view winter and spring
migrations, bird lovers will delight in the over 100 species of
birds that live in or visit the Gardens annually.
Ricochet Ridge Ranch: Week-long riding vacations, weekend riding
holidays,
and daily trail rides along Ten Mile Beach, across cattle ranches,
through majestic Redwood forests, Ricochet is a wonderful place
for retreat, and horseback riding along the Northern California
coastline. Real Travel Adventures Magazine is quoted saying, “One
of the last best riding opportunities in California.”
The Skunk Train: A steam engine experience on the original Sierra
Railroads train route. The view from the restored rail cars is
pretty much unchanged: towering trees, deer drinking from the
Noyo River, an isolated fisherman's cabin peeking from the forest.
With occasional whistles as it chugs through tunnels, over bridges
and past open meadows, the train follows the coastal "Redwood
Route" as it has since 1885.
OTHER STATE PARKS LINKS:
MacKerricher State Park
Russian Gulch State Park
Jug Handle State Reserve
Caspar Headlands State Reserve
Caspar Headlands State Beach
Mendocino Headlands State Park
Navarro River Redwoods State Park
NOYO HARBOR & BEACH LODGING:
Harbor Lite Lodge - http://www.harborlitelodge.com/
Ocean Breeze Lodge - http://www.oceanbreezelodge.com/
Old Coast Hotel - http://www.oldcoasthotel.com/
Surf & Sand Lodge - http://www.surfsandlodge.com/
Surf Motel - http://www.surfmotelfortbragg.com/
The Beach House Inn - http://www.beachinn.com/
©2006 Carla Iacovetti
