Near Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands Trail
Bluffs along Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands Trail.

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands Trail

5.0 (1 Rating)
Relatively flat trail that skirts the edge of the ocean south of Point Arena Lighthouse.
3.3
mi
Distance
53
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFamily FriendlyFishingViewsWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
3.28mi
Distance
53ft
Elevation Gain
223ft
Elevation Loss
15%
Max Grade
223ft
High Point
26ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands is 3.4 miles is one-way, so out and back is 6.8 miles. You can park your car at either end. This is a mostly flat trail although there are a few rutted spots to climb over or up which are relatively easy to maneuver. At low tide, you can follow a number of safe paths to explore the tide pools at ocean's edge. There are beautiful views of the ocean and contorted bluffs except the short section that has to go away from the coast to skirt around the Mendocino College's private ocean front facilities. It is easy to miss the access gate to the trail to continue pass the college. On the hike, I spotted seals playing along the coast. Most of the trail is along the edge of cliffs so be careful near the cliff's edge as I would not let children wander near the edge unattended. I visited during the end of October, 2020 where temperature was 50-55 F and sunny after the marine layer burned off around 12 noon. An option to continue at the northern end of the trail, you can continue to the lighthouse where there are interpretive signs along the way.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Little River to Mendocino: Inn to Inn

Hike Route

Little River to Mendocino: Inn to Inn

Views
moderate
4.57 mi
+441 ft
Fern Canyon Trail

Hike Route

Fern Canyon Trail

Wildflowers
easy
4.39 mi
+278 ft
Fern Canyon Trail

Hike Route

Fern Canyon Trail

River/Creek
moderate
7.75 mi
+829 ft
Salt Point Trail

Hike Route

Salt Point Trail

Views
easy
1.76 mi
+88 ft
Sea to Sky Trail

Hike Route

Sea to Sky Trail

Birding
strenuous
15.53 mi
+3,809 ft
Armstrong Redwoods Tour

Hike Route

Armstrong Redwoods Tour

Family Friendly
easy
1.54 mi
+69 ft
Contributors
Robert Chan