We awoke to a beautiful sunny day in Mendocino.  The weather gods were following the forecasters. After some breakfast, we loaded up the car and headed out. Our first stop was a nearby Pygmy forest inside (Jean Claude) Van Damme State Park.

Because of the proximity to the ocean, the soil is poor in nutrients. Geological forces have created a series of adjacent terraces. Only in the gaps between the terraces do enough nutrients and soil develop for normal plant development. The result is the terraces contain pygmy trees. These are trees that could be just an inch around and two feet tall, yet have lived for a hundred years. This is in great contrast to the redwoods we will see later in the trip. We follow along on the nature trail and loop back to the car.

oregon073[1] With such spectacular weather, we then go to the seaside downtown area which looks as much like New England as it does California. We do a short hike to take in the coastline and then wander downtown. After stopping in the candy store, we have a nice lunch.

Having seen our fill of the town (it’s not really that big), we drive over to the nearby lighthouse. Before walking to the lighthouse (officially known as the Point Cabrillo Light Station), we take a walk towards a small waterfall and picturesque coastline. While L’ plays with a few basset hounds that are enjoying the sun with their owner, I take a few photos. Walking along the coast we make it to the lighthouse which is still operational.oregon122[1] There are some exhibits about the lighthouse and a woman with a strong New York accent manning the gift shop. The lighthouse is now fully automated, but much of the lighthouse keepers’ homes have been restored to what they were like at the time they were lived in (one of them is even available for rental in case you want to spend the night). We take ourselves through the self guided tour of the house and then return to the car.

We head north for a quick stop in Fort Bragg. The coast is not nearly as pretty here and it is much more crowded. The colored glass beach is neat to see, but not worth a lot of time. We return to the car and depart for Eureka. While it is getting late, we take a quick stop along the Avenue of the Giants for at least a short walk among the giant redwoods. There was a huge grove within a very short walk from the parking area so it fits the bill.

From the car, L’ calls a hotel that was recommended by Lonely Planet. While they are booked, they recommend a B&B and they have availability. We book that, swing by to pick up the keys and get a dinner recommendation, and then go eat. It’s very late for dinner for us, but the day’s activities were worth it. The B&B is a beautifully preserved Victorian home and more than sufficient for a night’s stay in Eureka.

View all the trip photos here:

http://www.sanjoseabrams.com/photos/OregonAugust2010/