Visiting the Mendocino Coast

Are you planning a trip to the Mendocino Coast? You have an amazing week or weekend ahead of you! The northern coast of California is a surreal scene, full of pristine beaches, towering cliffs and some of the best viewpoints you’ll see anywhere.

During your visit, we hope you’ll take the time to spend an afternoon at Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park. Visit our museum and gift shop to learn about the lives of the indigenous Pomo people; spend an hour inside our First Assistant Lightkeepers Museum to get a look at what a day in the life of a lightkeeping family would be like; walk the trails to see where the Frolic came to rest on our Mendocino shores in July of 1850.

But when you’ve had your fill of the lighthouse life, there are so many fun things to do on the Mendocino Coast!

Mendocino Coast State Parks

When you need to get away from the city, there’s no better place than at one of our many California State Parks here in Mendocino County. From Westport-Union Landing to Schooner Gulch and everything in between, you can get your fill of trails, whales and historic tales!

Visit the State Parks website, select “By County” and choose “Mendocino” from the drop down list.

Mendocino Museums and Attractions

Ready to soak up some knowledge and have a good time? There are a number of museums on the Mendocino Coast that cover everything from our logging days of old to the town dump (translation: Glass Beach!).

Click the links below to be directed to the individual websites for some excellent museums and attractions throughout the Mendocino Coast.

Ford House Visitor Center and Museum

Guest House Museum

Kelley House Museum

Mendocino Art Center

Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society

Noyo Center for Marine Science

Sea Glass Museum

Skunk Train

Temple of Kwan Tai

Triangle Tattoo and Museum

Nearby Hotels and Vacation Rentals

If our vacation rentals here at Point Cabrillo Light Station are booked up on the weekend that you’re visiting, not to worry. If you’d still like to show the lighthouse a little love, consider taking a look at the house list for Mendocino Coast Reservations! This is the local company that manages many of the vacation rentals along the Mendocino Coast. You’ll see our own Cottages and Lightkeepers Homes on that list of properties.

Do you prefer the hotel or bed and breakfast experience? Within a five minute drive of our parking lot, you’ll find a huge number of lovely inns, hotels and bed and breakfasts within the village of Mendocino.

Have Fun in Mendocino!

We can’t wait to have you visit us here on the Mendocino Coast! Be sure to take a look at our Events Page to visit during one of our few Lens Tours a year and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to catch the latest from Point Cabrillo Light Station!