Point Arena-Stornetta National Monument

When you're visiting California, there's no more beautiful place to visit then the rocky coast of the state, where multiple trails follow the shore. Among these beautiful coastal retreats, the Point Arena-Stornetta National Monument Park is a breathtaking place, especially since it connects with the Point Arena-Stornetta Unit and Trail.

The monument is the Historic Point Arena Lighthouse, which has become a landmark for hikers for miles. The monument park connects to more than 1660 acres of land that can be explored and hiked through. The parking area to reach the trail is along Lighthouse Road, on the northern part of Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands. The trail leads from the parking lot where there are off-road parking and port-a-potties.

This beautiful trail follows along cliffs, stacks, and sea arches that give elevated sights to the ocean, clifftop meadows, and waving grasslands. During the summer months, hikers can spot harbor seals and otters playing in the tide pools, with whales crashing through the waves in the winter. An abundance of birds can also usually be seen in the area, nesting on the rocks and in the grassy field. This grassy and compacted soil trail only provides a 2 and a half foot girth, and is open to other activities like horseback riding and terrain biking.

The trail is part of the large California Coastal Trail, which offers a connected trail system with over 1200 miles worth of trails. This particular section continues to head south, following along the bend of the shoreline until it reaches its end point at the Arena Cove Historic District where there is parking, restaurants, retail shops, and a boardwalk. This parking area has public bathrooms, water fountains, trash bins, and benches.

After an enjoyable day out in the sun and grass with sights of the ocean and cliffside, you and Fido will have no trouble heading home, satisfied with all the enjoyable views and exercise.