Mendocino is one of a string of quaint little seaside towns that dot California’s North Coast. Located a couple hours’ drive north of San Francisco, Mendocino was first settled by people from America’s northwest and as a result has something of a New England feel to it.
During the 19th century timber was king in Northern California. With the passing of the timber industry artists and craftspeople were drawn to the oceanside village. Today the town itself is a great place to shop, eat gourmet food and stay in a bed and breakfast. If you’re a wine sipper its the place for you. From November through April you can watch the gray whale migration. AND it’s pretty darn dog friendly.
Just a short drive up the coast is the little town of Fort Bragg which in contrast to its artsy neighbor to the south has more of a rough hewn blue collar feel. From Fort Bragg you can take a steam train ride through the redwoods on the Skunk Train.
So this week’s Friday Fotos celebrates our North Coast towns of Mendocino and Fort Bragg.
Early morning sun lights the mist that hugs the outlet of the Mendocino river into the Pacific Ocean
A tree juts out of the morning mist over the nearby cliffs
Mendocino from Big River Beach
Village morning seen from the cliff’s edge over a field of golden grasses
Just inland from Mendocino are redwood forests with streams waterfalls and plenty of green.
A waterfall sparkles in the forest filtered sun
Cora and I visited the area during the Fourth of July weekend and drove north to Fort Bragg for their annual salmon festival. Yum. Lots of grilled salmon and sides.
Tending to the barbecue
Fishing boats abound in the Fort Bragg Harbor. The North Sea has probably seen better days
Wonderful photos. The first two are magnificent. The North Sea looks like it spent some time in its namesake.
Thank you Timothy. Your kind words are most appreciated. I enjoy finding and photographing old boats..and old buildings…and old barns…and old people…and old dogs. Maybe it’s because I’m getting old now and can relate but I find old things to be wonderful subjects.
Old things, people and animals can have a lot of character, and many stories to tell, in their often weathered and rickety conditions from so many years battling the elements.
Thank you for sharing your amazing experiences.. all the pictures are great…
Thank you for the kind words and for visiting my site
Excellent photos and narrative, thanks.. visited the area several times, and it does have that New England coastal feel.. thanks for sharing…
Wonderful set of beautiful photos.
Happy weekend!
Wow!!!!! So Gorgeous!
Thank you!
Beautyful Pictures
Thank you Detlef.
love the salmon steaks — I’m having lemon grilled Atlantic Salmon for dinner — and that battered old ‘North Sea’ fishing boat; reminds me of my recent post: ‘Artistry of Rust’ 🙂
It’s hard to beat a good grilled salmon. As for the old North Sea, I love taking photos of old things. Maybe that’s because i’m becoming an old thing.
🙂 so do I; that’s why I took the photo of rust on my ‘Artistry of Rust’ blog
Probably my favorite part of CA. Your photos reflect the area well. Makes me want to go back!
Thank you Eliza. We haven’t been back ourselves in far too long. Going through my photos makes me want to go back.
How were the crowds at the BBQ? Back when I lived in Fort Bragg it was pretty crazy. Food was always good though 🙂
They’re old but I have a few pics from when I lived there. https://captnemo.smugmug.com/search#q=fort+bragg
It was a big crowd but we’d decided to dedicate that day to the BBQ so we didn’t mind at all. I like small town festivals that celebrate the local harvest. The food was good, the crowd was fun and there was good music.
Thank you for sharing the pics. 1988 was just a few years after my wife and I celebrated part of our honeymoon there.
Great photos!
Thank you