Are you planning a getaway in Fort Bragg and Mendocino in general? Check out these places they are all fun – with or without kids – but approved by us to be kid-friendly! Redwood forest steam train, anyone? These are fun things to do – all the places to eat, play, and stay while in Fort Bragg or Mendocino!

Things to Do in Fort Bragg

Botanical Gardens

If you are looking for a gorgeous easy hike filled with hundreds of different colorful flowers and plants that end up in a coastal bluff, this is the place for you. (I know, who isn’t looking for a place like this!?) Typically, people spend about 1.5 hours here, or you really can spend an entire half a day. We have small kids who like to run, so we did the straight way to the coastal bluff and back, and did it in a little under an hour. The South Trail is wheelchair and stroller friendly. This botanical garden is dog-friendly too!

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Skunk Train – A Steam Train that goes through the redwoods forest

This train ride is short (1 hour or you can choose the 4 hours one), flexible, and just a good time. Totally worth it! You will go on a steam train on the tracks that were originally laid by the California Western Railroad through the redwoods forest. They have fun snacks and drinks to keep you and your kids entertained. You can get by without pre-purchasing tickets, but we got there about 20 minutes before the train ride on a Saturday, and we grabbed the last tickets! So make sure you grab tickets while you are in town and you can walk around the town before the train ride. Seating is first-come-first-serve, but even with a fully-booked train and one of the last ones to get on, we were able to grab a seat for 4 of us. (Tip: The seating can be adjusted so you are all facing each other.) You can also roam around freely during the train ride (our 15-month-old newly walker were able to walk around without falling so it’s a chill ride) – and staying outside is a lot of fun too!

You don’t have to have kids to enjoy this fun train ride – our friend Year of the Money (who’s a doggie-mom, but no human kids) is the one who recommended it to us. Check out her recommendations on dog-friendly Mendocino here.

Glass Beach

There are hiking trails all around this beach that stretch out for miles and miles (over 10 miles), so you could walk over the beach. When we got there, we were told that the “beach is closed off to visitors” so we didn’t expect to go down to the beach. I am not sure if it’s technically the real “glass beach”, but from the parking lot, we went straight down the path and went down to the beach to the right. There were lots of glass on the beach, and we were able to get down easily (so did others). Before we went, we were told that the “beach is not what it’s like on Instagram” and there isn’t much to see. So not true! There were tons of sea glass, and yes, I am sure the IG pictures are Photoshopped to an extreme,  it was still gorgeous and a lot of fun to collect (but not take home)!

Sea Glass Museum

Don’t take the glass from the beach. Come here to check out the glass and get memorabilia from this place!

Jug Handle State Natural Preserve

Their own website says it best since we didn’t get to visit this time. Their 2.5-mile trail boasts so many different types of terrains, that “few places on earth display a complete record of how geology, soils, and plants change over time.” Pretty cool, right? If you are with a geological buff, this place seems like a place to visit.

North Coast Brewing Company

A stop here for the restaurant, brewery or the shop is a must if you like beer or eating. 🙂 We had a lot of fun playing beer bingo, and Henry had fun eating fries and playing with the legos he got from the Skunk Train gift shop. Win-win! We probably bought a months supply of beer at the shop too! Walking distance from the Skunk Train (most everything is within walking distance from the Skunk Train) and downtown too.

Headlands Coffeehouse

This coffeehouse was a perfect place to wait for our train time. They have delicious coffee and breakfast stuff (and I am sure lunch too), and plenty of seating. Best of all for those traveling with kids? They have toys! We had to kill 30 minutes before the train, and we had to drag our kids out of here.

Shop Around at Downtown Fort Bragg

Gorgeous and soft clothes at Splendiferous Boutique, get locally made chocolates at Mendocino Chocolate Co, super cute locally made goods and toys at Dot & Twine. Such an easy downtown to stroll around to spend some time – especially when you are waiting for the Skunk Train and you might have a few minutes to kill.

Things to Do in Mendocino County

Stay by the Sea & Have Fun Living the Simple Life

Out of all the things you can do in Mendocino, this had to be one of our favorites. We stayed at the Andiron Inn and Cabins in Little River, and we spent an entire afternoon lounging on our deck and grass area, played with goats, went to their happy hour, had a dinner “picnic”, and stargazed. One of the main reasons for a getaway is to relax, right? Can’t beat staying at a scenic place with lots of activities and never having to leave if you don’t want to.

Van Damme State Park (Little River)

The in-land portion of this park was closed when we went from storm damage, but the beach was open. It’s a beach easily accessed from the parking lot, and there were people learning to dive there! Pretty cool. The park, when it’s open, is a cool place to hike through the fern forest and camp.

Russian Gulch State Park (Mendocino)

We didn’t get to go this time, but there are paths to walk along headlands and beaches, and you get to see a waterfall! If waterfalls are your thing, coming here is a must in Mendocino.

Mendocino Highlands State Park (Mendocino)

Miles and miles of walking on the beach – look out for whales! The visitor center is in downtown Mendocino.

Bowling Ball Beach aka Schooner Gulch State Beach (Point Arena)

This beach has a ton of huge round rocks – that look like bowling balls and makes for gorgeous photos with the waves gliding over them. Great to go during low tide. It’s kind of hard to get to, so best for kids who can be carried or old enough to jump down to the beach. It’s also about a 15 min walk to the beach. Parking is also on the side of the street so be careful. Bring water shoes!

Pennyroyal Farm & Winery (Boonville)

Boonville is right on the way to/from San Francisco and Mendocino Coast. It’s a perfect place to stretch your legs in between the drive! There are many wineries in this area, but we love this winery for all the additions besides the amazing wine they have!

They make their own cheese here, and you get to do cheese and wine tasting. They have grape juice tasting for the kids too. Our kids loved the farm tour – they show you how they make the cheese, and you get to see the farm animals (we saw goats, sheep, llama, and big wine dog)!

Anderson Valley Brewing (Boonville)

Henry called it the “Bear Moose”, but their mascot is actually a “Beer”. Get it?! I have to lol every time I mention this! It’s a bear – deer. Their beer is sooooooo good! We love it. The brewery has a nice outdoor area with lawn games. It’s also fenced so perfect for kids who like to run around but you can keep an eye out on them.

There you have it! Things to do in Fort Bragg and Mendocino! Hope you make it out there. The drive from San Francisco is totally worth every bit of it, especially when you have fun stops to look forward to where you can wine and beer taste. 🙂 Have you been? Tell us if we’ve missed your favorite thing to do!

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