MANCHESTER BEACH STATE PARK
The park has a beach, sand dunes, and flat grasslands, with nearly 18,000 feet of ocean frontage. The beach line curves gently to form a "catch basin" for sea debris, which accounts for the volume of driftwood found here. Five miles of gentle, sandy beach stretches southward towards the Point Arena Lighthouse.
One of the main attractions is the excellent steelhead and salmon fishing in the park?s two streams, Brush Creek and Alder Creek.
The park features a variety of coastal wildflowers, including sea pinks, poppies, lupines, baby blue eyes and blue irises. The park provides habitat for tundra swans. The San Andreas Fault runs into the sea at the park.
The park takes its name from the village of Manchester, which is located in Mendocino County on Coast Highway 1 about seven miles north of Point Arena.
This is an area of rich grazing lands flocks of sheep and herds of cattle which add a pastoral note to some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
Temperatures seldom rise above 72 nor dip below 50 . Rainfall is heavy from September to May, and morning and evening fog is common during the summer months. Strong winds prevail year-round.
Located in Mendocino County, California, the park was established in 1955. It spans over 760 acres with five miles of beachfront. The area is known for its rich wildlife and diverse habitats including coastal bluffs, sand dunes and wetlands.
Before becoming a state park, it served as home to Pomo Native Americans who lived off fishing and gathering resources from the land. European settlers arrived during the late-19th century logging boom.
The site offers camping facilities since its establishment; however significant improvements were made throughout the years like adding picnic areas or hiking trails.
- Campground Sites: Manchester Beach State Park offers 40 family campsites, each with a picnic table and fire ring.
- Group Camping: There are two group campgrounds available for larger parties or events.
- RV Camping: The park provides sites equipped to accommodate recreational vehicles up to 31 feet long.
- Hike & Bike Site: A special area is designated for hikers and cyclists who need overnight accommodation.