Surfing at MacKerricher Beaches
Hardy surfers tackle the waves along the MacKerricher State Park coast year-round. Among the most popular spots are Pudding Creek Beach and Virgin Creek Beach in the south and all along the coast in the north. A sharp drop-off along the southern part of park creates a heavy shoreline break and strong rip currents. The northern half of the park has a more gradually sloping beach.
Surf is often at its best with swells from the northwest, usually in summer and early fall.
Caution: Check with rangers or lifeguards that conditions are safe for your planned activities.
Diving at MacKerricher State Park
Divers find plenty of interest in the waters along the MacKerricher coast. A maze of canyons around Laguna Point is home to a variety of sea life. Divers enter from the steps at the tide pool area or from the main beach across from the campgrounds. The north side of the point is favored by most divers.
Wildlife around MacKerricher Beaches
Whales
Migrating whales are a big attraction along the MacKerricher State Park coast. Observers gather with binoculars at Laguna Point where there is convenient parking and a boardwalk leading out to several viewpoints. Whales reach their peak from December through March.
The Mendocino Area Parks Association offer weekend whale talks at MacKerricher State Park from late December through the end of March. Participants meet the docent at the visitor center and then drive to Laguna Point. The programs begin at 11:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. Binoculars are available.
The Mendocino Whale Festival is held the first weekend in March at Mendocino, the second weekend in March at Little River (Van Damme), and the third weekend in March at Fort Bragg. The Fort Bragg festival will include whale watching from Pomo Bluffs and other locations along the coast.
Whale Festivals
Tide Pools
The most accessible tide pools are at Laguna Point where steps lead from the boardwalk down to the tide pools. The best time to visit the tide pools is at a minus low tide, but even tides of +1 feet offer limited opportunities for viewing. Visitors observe crabs, anemones, sea stars, mussels, sculpins, urchins, nudibranchs, sponges, and chitons.
Birds
With such a variety ecosystem along the coast, MacKerricher State Park sees a wide variety of birds. Lake Cleone has a boardwalk along part of its shoreline and the wetland at the eastern end, making a convenient place for birding. A foot trail continues the remainder of the way around the lake once the boardwalk ends. Visitors have seen Brown Creeper, Osprey, Wood Duck, Jays, Pygmy Nuthatch, Red Crossbill, and even Northern Pygmy-owl, along with many others.
Shorebirds can be found all along MacKerricher's coast. Often sighted are Turnstones, Black Oystercatchers, Grebes, Surfbirds, and Rock Sandpipers. At Ten Mile Beach watch for the endangered Snowy Plovers.
Junior Rangers Shorebird Program
MacKerricher State Park's Junior Ranger Shorebird program is held at Lake Cleone on Wednesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 or 4:30 PM during the summer. The program is open for children ages 7-12.
Visitor Center - MacKerricher State Park
The Visitor Center at MacKerricher State Park features a 30-foot gray whale skeleton along with the skeleton of a California sea lion. Interpretive exhibits inside the Visitor Center provide information about the area's plants and animals. A woodland diorama with models of local animals is set up in the center. Profits from items sold at the Nature Store are used to enhance the park's educational activities and interpretive programs. The Visitor Center is located near the park's entrance station off Highway 1.
Lake Cleone
Lake Cleone was once a tidal lagoon, but the building of the haul road cut it off from the ocean, creating a permanent inland 30-acre lake and adjoining wetlands. A boardwalk trances the northern shore and wetlands. Beyond the boardwalk is a foot trail which completes the 1.1-mile loop of the lake. The lake is stocked with trout and is popular for fishing. Non-motorized boats can be launched there.
Boardwalk Leading to Laguna Point
MacKerricher State Park's Environmental Education Outreach Programs
MacKerricher's environmental programs are designed to teach K-12 school children about the ecology of the area and how the habitats can be protected. Programs include Intertidal Habitats, The Rocky Shore Community, The Sandy Beach Community, Marine Algae, and more.
Mendocino Area Parks Association
