Manchester Beach State Park
Manchester Beach State Park boasts 18,000 feet of ocean frontage, featuring a stunning beach, dunes, and expansive flat grasslands. Driftwood accumulates in this area because the shoreline gently curves to provide a “catch basin” for marine debris. The Point Arena Lighthouse is located at the southern end of a sandy beach that spans five kilometers. The park’s two streams, Brush Creek and Alder Creek, are known for their exceptional steelhead and salmon fishing.
Sea pinks, poppies, lupines, baby blue eyes, and blue irises are just a few of the coastal wildflowers that may be found in this area. Tundra swans have a place to call home in this park. The park is located where the San Andreas Fault enters the ocean. Grazing sheep and cattle provide a rustic touch to the world’s most breathtaking coastlines, which may be found in this region rich in forage.
Trails At Manchester Beach State Park
The wind, waves, and timber that make up a wild beach seem a touch larger than life at Manchester State Beach. Visitors have built wind shelters on the beach from driftwood and Monterey cypress trees to protect themselves from the strong gusts.
Hikers should check the weather forecast in advance because the winds at this beach can be rather fierce. Northward along the beach requires a crossing of several low dunes. Large logs have been stacked at the foot of the dune. Beachgoers have fashioned creative windbreaks from debris brought ashore by the ever-shifting ocean.
Camping At Manchester Beach State Park
The campground at Manchester Beach State Park is approximately one-half mile from the beach, providing protection from the wind that is frequently gusting strongly in that direction. Some campsites are somewhat exposed because they are close to Kinney Road, but others are further back among the cypress trees and have more shade. The campground at Manchester is famed for its peace.
Location: Mendocino County, California, United States
Management: California State Parks
Phone number: (707) 882-2463.
Established: 1955
Area: 18,000 feet (5,500 m)
