Big River Beach

Big River beach sits just to the south of the town of Mendocino, within the Mendocino Headlands State Park. The beach here is a wide expanse of pale-golden sand running along the northern bank of Big River as it flows into the Pacific.

Access to the beach is pretty easy from Highway One, with a bridge crossing the river right above the central part of the beach.

Big River beach is a great starting point for a number of activities based around the river and park. A number of trails follow the river into the woodlands beyond and Big River is relatively slow flowing, making it ideal for kayaking upstream with an incoming tide. Alternatively, if you are feeling less energetic there are a no shortage of picnicking facilities around the beach.

The park here is home to abundant wildlife including bears, otters, ospreys and bobcats. There is also plenty of good fishing to be had if you want to try your hand at catching some of the local salmon.

Given the right conditions there can be good, surfable waves at the river mouth.