Hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail and Exploring Mendocino Town: Complete Guide + Review

Note to my fellow wanderers: This guide was written from my first-hand experiences. I try my best not to over-glamorize any location I travel to because I want HappyWander’s content to be as authentic as possible. My goal is to provide you real information so that you can have the best possible adventures wandering the world. Enjoy!

Mendocino ended up being one of the most unique and dreamy places I visited on my Northern Cali and Oregon road trip. It felt like a throwback city, untouched by modern hands. The Mendocino Headlands Trail was a great way to see the northern Cali coast up close and person, while taking in the unique vibes that Mendocino offers. This is an especially great route if you, instead of doubling back along the route, cut through the city and take in the small town coastal vibes. There’s no other way to describe Mendocino than a dream, it felt like I was in a Final Fantasy game cruising the coastline. Keep reading for all the information you’ll need to hike Mendocino Headlands Trail, along with my review and rating of this beautiful coastal hike.

Want to watch the full hike in 4k? Check out my video:

Mendocino and Mendocino Headlands Trail Overview

Mendocino is one of the most charming coastal towns in Northern California, known for its dramatic ocean views, historic architecture, and laid-back small-town atmosphere. Perched atop rugged cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the town feels like a step back in time, with art galleries, local shops, and cozy cafés lining its streets. Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or spending a weekend exploring the area, Mendocino has a way of slowing you down and encouraging you to soak in the scenery.

One of the best ways to experience the town is by hiking the Mendocino Headlands Trail. This easy coastal trail wraps around the edges of town, offering nearly continuous views of sea cliffs, hidden coves, crashing waves, and the picturesque village itself. Unlike many hikes that require a long drive or strenuous effort, the Headlands Trail begins right next to town, making it accessible for visitors of all ages and fitness levels.

During my visit, the combination of the scenic trail and the welcoming atmosphere of Mendocino made for one of my favorite stops along California’s North Coast. The hike itself is beautiful, but what really makes the experience special is how seamlessly it blends with the town. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail, including vibes through the town of Mendocino.

This is a map (via alltrails.com) of the route I did. My recommendation is to not double back along the coast. Instead, cut right through the town and get a taste of Mendocino.

Where to Park

Parking was perhaps one of the easiest I’ve experienced. Mendocino has free street parking and also a designated lot in the church area that welcomes hikers. This was some of the easiest parking on my entire trip.

Distance Traveled

According to my Alltrails.com GPS tracker, I traveled just over 3.5 miles. If you do decide to follow alltrails.com, you’ll hit just under 5.

How Long Does it Take to Hike?

In total, it took me about 1.5 hours, which included a few side missions.

Elevation Change

This is one of the flattest hikes you’ll do. Even if you go down to the beach, you’ll be lucky to hit 130 feet of elevation.

Difficulty

This is perhaps the easiest hike over 3 miles. The only “difficult” aspect is that a lot of the hike is exposed in the sun. If you wear proper sun protection, this one is a breeze (pun intended).

Overall, I’d give this hike an 3 / 10 in difficulty.

Permits

No permits needed on Mendocino Headlands Trail.

Cost

There is no cost to hike Mendocino Headlands Trail. Free is good!

When to Go

I think if you manage to go to Mendocino on a nice sunny day, you’ll have a great time. I went in early June and it was fantastic. If it’s rainy and cloudy, it might dampen the Mendocino vibes.

Can you bring dogs?

Very much so. You’ll find dog-friendly trails, outdoor patios, and plenty of places to walk around town. Just be sure to keep your dog leashed while on the Headlands.

Is the Mendocino Headlands Trail Good for Kids?

Yes, this is a very family-friendly hike thanks to its flat terrain and short distance options. Just be sure to keep children away from the bluff edges, as some sections have steep drop-offs. But the hike itself is EASY.

Can You See Whales from Mendocino Headlands?

Yes! I heard that Mendocino Headlands is one of the best land-based whale-watching spots on the Northern California coast. If you visit between November and April, you may be able to spot migrating gray whales from the coastal bluffs. I did not see any whales in June (unfortunately), but Mendocino is world-renowned for Whale watching.

Are There Beaches Along the Trail?

Absolutely, there’s one right off the trail you’ll see as you go around about half way through. A larger beach that I did not go to lies just south of town (I didn’t see it on the trail, but it’s just a short drive away), Big River Beach. If you find yourself staying over night or have more time to relax, Big River Beach would be a good option.

Can You Visit Mendocino as a Day Trip?

Yes, but I think Mendocino deserves at least one overnight stay if your schedule allows. Between the coastal trails, charming downtown, beaches, restaurants, and nearby state parks, it’s easy to fill a full day or two.

What Else Is There to Do in Mendocino?

Beyond hiking the Headlands, popular activities include exploring downtown, visiting the Ford House Visitor Center, kayaking on Big River, browsing local art galleries, and checking out nearby parks like Russian Gulch and Van Damme (cool name).

Is Mendocino worth visiting?

Absolutely, Mendocino is awesome! The trail was beautiful, and the city was super welcoming. It’s a throwback city, quite dreamy actually. I could see the appeal to living in such a small town with a community of welcoming people.

Recommended Gear

Having the right gear can make or break your hiking experience. On the coast of northern Cali, preparing accordingly will help you maximize your adventure. I’ll highlight the gear that I brought hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail in June, as well as additional gear that might benefit you:

• The Proper Clothing: In late May and June, the weather was pleasant during most days (50s to low 70s). I wore long exercise pants, exercise shorts underneath and a short sleeve exercise shirt. I typically roll up a waterproof/windproof jacket and keep it in my pack. I also recommend wearing some thick socks so you don’t get blisters. (If it’s cold, wool are great. if it’s not cold, get something breathable)
• Hiking backpack with straps: If you don’t have a backpack with straps, I recommend you get one. They aren’t too expensive on Amazon. Your shoulders and back will thank you later.
• Portable charger: If you take a lot of photos / videos like me, you’ll want to bring a portable charger for your phone. I also use the alltrails.com app to navigate so having enough battery is important.
• Water bladder: If you want to save on weight and also help your backpack be more balanced than carrying a big bottle of water in your bag, a water bladder is important. I personally use a 3L water bladder.
• Hiking Shoes: You can do this hike in good tennis shoes, but I’d recommend waterproof hiking shoes. The terrain is not super tennis shoe friendly, and if it’s wet or muddy, which it was in parts, hiking shoes are beneficial.
• Snacks: Who doesn’t like snacks? While hiking, even on a short hike like this, some organic gummy bears did the trick for me.
• Bug spray: While I didn’t encounter mosquitos on this hike, it’s never a bad idea to be prepared. I can imagine in the summer you’d find some bugs out on the trail.
• First aid kit: It’s a good idea to bring Band-Aids, a bandage, and some cut cleaning items. I have needed band-aids in the past from slipping on rocks, but I did not on this hike.
• Sunscreen: You’re going to need sunscreen on this hike as it’s almost entirely exposed to the sun.
• Flashlight: If you go anytime near sunrise or sunset, I’d recommend having a flashlight.

Nice to Have Gear:

Here are a few items that would make your hiking experience even better:

• Shoe impact insoles: These can help as you traverse hard rocks along the way.
• Phone tripod: If you go alone or with a group and want great pictures, a phone tripod is key. I use one on every hike I go on.
• DJI Osmo Action Camera: This is my go-to recording device for every hike I go on. I recorded the entire hike.

The Play By Play: My Route Hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail

So what’s it like hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail and Visiting Mendocino? Read my hiking guide play by play below:

Choosing Where to Park

There are a few areas you could park. There’s a smallish parking lot behind the church (Church Street) that is designated for hikers. There’s also Main Street, which has quite a bit of parking available along the side of the road. Like parking behind the church, Main Street is very close to the starting point (if you find a spot near the church).

I rolled up about 2 PM on a Friday and saw plenty of parking on Main Street across the street from the church, so that’s where I went, easy peasy.

Mendocino Headlands Bluff Trail

You’ll start off walking through some flower bushes, brush, and trees (one of the only sections of the hike with trees). Everything in Mendocino is cute and quaint, the church is exhibit A:

Mendocino Point Blow Hole

The first great views on this hike happen within 5 minutes of hiking as you reach Mendocino Point Blow Hole. It’s a magical spot where you start exiting the wooded area with some epic views of the ocean and coastline:

Here’s another view of the coast from this part of the trail:

As you turn the corner of Mendocino Point Blow Hole, you’ll get hit with these views:

The Beach

This trail wraps around Mendocino, which allows you to traverse most of the coastal views. On the western side of Mendocino, there’s a little beach you can walk down to. You’ll see a set of stairs down to the beach like this:

I highly recommend taking the extra 10 minutes to put your feet on the sand for a few minutes.

You’ll likely see locals here relaxing and/or fishing.

‘

After the beach, you’ll continue along the edge of the cliff on the trail, and it’s beautiful:

The Islands

Towards the Northwest side of Mendocino, you’ll see some beautiful islands. Out here I saw some of the largest waves I’ve ever seen crashing in between islands and onto the mainland coast.

For the remainder of the coastal hike, you’ll see all kinds of interesting formations including cliffs, islands, flocks of birds, and sea caves like this one:

Mendocino Town Vibes

I chose to not double back because I wanted to get Mendocino town vibes (which I highly recommend doing), so I crossed through a street at the end of the train that takes you right into town. It was so interesting walking by and seeing the beautiful coastal houses and how well taken care of they are:

 

It’s just such a quaint little town:

There are cute little parks in the town like this one:

Before getting to my car, I ran into one of their events “In A Landscape: Classic Music in the Wild” which featured a professional pianist playing with quite the backdrop:

As I watched, some locals invited me in and told me it was free. It was a welcoming experience and I am further impressed with this little town of Mendocino.

About My Experience Hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail and Visiting Mendocino

Overall, hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail and visiting Mendocino was great. I knew nothing about this town before visiting, but was pleasantly surprised how dreamy this coastal town is. Here are a few of my favorite parts, as well as parts I didn’t like:

Favorite Parts

Here are a few of my favorite parts of hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail and visiting Mendocino:

Beautiful Coastal Views

Mendocino has some beautiful costal views, partly due to the town being built on a peninsula with ocean views on 3 sides.

The Town of Mendocino is Dreamy

The town seems happy, it’s full of some older families who have seemingly “made it” and wanted to live in a dream town away from the chaos of the big cities. The town also has the benefit of being built high above the water, so the buildings are not built on stilts. The town definitely has a vibe to it.

People Were Very Nice

As mentioned, a few of the locals invited me to participate in their concert as I walked by (even though I was clearly a tourist wearing hiking gear).

Low Amount of Tourists

When I visited on a beautiful Friday afternoon, the town was not busy at all. It’s far enough way from San Fran and other cities that this coastal town felt unaffected by the vast amounts of people nearby.

Least Favorite Parts

Here is my least favorite part of this hike:

Exposed in the Sun

About 90% of this hike is exposed in the sun, meaning, if you don’t wear sunscreen you’re probably going to fry. It wasn’t hot at all and there was a nice breeze, but the sun was strong.

Overall Score

Mendocino Headlands Trail is an easy, great trail to add to your road trip if you find yourself passing through. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the quaint town of Mendocino too. I’m giving this hike a 9.3 / 10. Overall, a great short hike!

Hiking Tips for Mendocino Headlands Trail  and Visiting Tips for Mendocino After the Fact

Here are some hiking tips for visiting Mendocino and hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail that I learned after the fact that can help you have the very best adventure:

• I highly recommend crossing through the town of Mendocino instead of doubling back the same way you came out.
• If possible, spend more time in Mendocino. I regret not finding a spot for dinner in town and exploring further. It would be a good town to stay in overnight too.

Final Thoughts on Hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail and Visiting Mendocino.

Thanks for making it through my complete guide to hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail and visiting Mendocino! Mendocino is one of my newest favorite towns in California, it’s exactly the type of place I’d build a town if I could choose based on natural landscapes. Hiking Mendocino Headlands Trail gives you access to do a near full circle around and through Mendocino, one of the more unique spots along the West Coast. I really enjoyed my stop in Mendocino, and I think you will too. Slow down and enjoy this throwback gem of a town.

Happy wandering to you!