Make Your Way to the Beach at the Caspar Headlands State Reserve
The Caspar Headlands are actually two State parks in one! The State Natural Reserve (SNR) and the State Beach (SB), and both have free admission!
Caspar Headlands SNR
Located on the California coast just north of town of Mendocino, this State National Reserve is home to the southernmost Sitka spruce grove. This protected area also showcases a small bit of rugged coastline with sculpted rocks, surf, wildflowers, seals, and gray whales.
The Caspar Headlands Trail takes you through the forest and back out in less than a mile with an elevation gain of 118 ft, and leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.
Caspar Headlands SB
Panoramic ocean views, picnicking, swimming, paddling, fishing, and other recreational beach activities are welcomed here. The deep cove of this beach helps to keep it protected from strong winds, but rip tides can still be present, so be cautious if you intend to go in the water.
Before You Go
Both parks are free to get in, but they do require you to pick up a parking pass from the District Parks Office located a few miles south of the parks. This is required because public parking at the parks is interspersed with residential parking, so this helps to identify which vehicles belong to park goers and which belong to the residents.
Caspar District Parks Office Address & Contact:
12301 N. HWY 1
Mendocino, CA
(707) 937-5804
Driving Tip:
The District Parks Office is on the east side of the highway directly across from the Russian Gulch State Park sign. You might see this sign before the District Office sign.
Both Caspar Headlands parks are dog friendly and open from sunrise to sunset.
How to get to Caspar Headlands
From the District Parks Office, head north on Highway One and turn left onto Point Cabrillo Road. Then, turn right on Caspar Drive to Headlands Drive. Parking is outside the reserve on Caspar Drive.
Safety
The California State Parks urge you to recreate responsibly, and provide a few guidelines for using the parks, until further notice: Plan Ahead, Stay safer at Six Feet, Keep Clean, and Stay Covered.