Family Fun Near Mendocino Grove: Best Things to Do on the Mendocino Coast

Good Times for All Ages on the Mendocino Coast

There are a lot of fun things to do right at Mendocino Grove—bocce ball, board games, the Loop Trail, and more. But when you’re ready to venture beyond the campground, you don’t have to go far to find some family-friendly fun.

The Great Outdoors

There are 5 beautiful state parks within a 5 mile radius of Mendocino Grove, many with features perfect for adventurers of any age. Family favorites include:

• Sandcastles and wading in the waves at Big River Beach

• A canoe trip up Big River

• A gentle walk along the Mendocino Headlands 

  • Erosion is ongoing — Stay back from the cliff edges at all times

Check out our State Parks post for more details.

Mendocino Village

Kids will enjoy exploring the town of Mendocino with its ocean views, small-town friendliness, and enticing side streets. Be sure to stop by:

• Village Toy Shop — a great collection of quality modern and classic toys

• Gallery Bookshop — a room just for kids in the back, a.k.a. Bookwinkle’s Children's Books

• Out of This World —  all sorts of science-oriented equipment and accessories; also a great place for binoculars to help with whale watching, birding, and stargazing

• Ford House Visitor Center & Museum — peek into the past with the miniature scale model of the town circa 1890 

• Depending on the weather, GoodLife Cafe for a hot chocolate or Frankie’s for ice cream 

Farther North

More family activities can be found further north up Highway 1:

• Point Cabrillo Light Station — built in 1909 in response to the increase in shipwrecks off the rough coast. Check the website to see if you can catch a Lens Tour when you visit!

• Jug Handle Beach — a favorite with locals and protected from wind, making it a great place to relax with the family

• Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens — 47 gorgeous acres with a bluff trail, fern canyon, and show-stopping rhododendrons

Fort Bragg

10 miles north of Mendocino, Fort Bragg has been shaped by the lumber and fishing industries that built it. Larger and more utilitarian than Mendocino, it has a number of attractions kids will love: 

• Skunk Train — in operation since 1885, this historic train will take you through redwood groves and over trestle bridges into the forested interior of Mendocino County

• Discovery Center — check out the world’s largest orca skeleton on display, peek underwater in the Ocean Immersion Dome, and enjoy the current marine mammal exhibit

• Crow’s Nest Interpretive Center — located on a cliff above the Pacific and ideal for whale watching, the center has a tide pool aquarium and beautiful marine mammal exhibits; visitors park at Noyo Headlands and walk .7 miles along the bike and pedestrian path

• Noyo Harbor Tour — a gentle 1-hour boat ride with Captain Dan around Noyo Harbor, the heart of the Mendocino Coast’s fishing industry

Farther Afield

If you have the time, an hour’s drive south along the coast will bring you to B. Bryan Preserve, where you can take a Land Rover Tour to see a variety of endangered and critically endangered species of African animals, including zebra, giraffe, water buffalo, and antelope. Add some adventure to your family vacation with a Mendocino Coast Safari!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there kid-friendly restaurants in Mendocino?

Mendocino is a popular destination for families, and many of the restaurants are family friendly. In Mendocino, GoodLife Cafe, Frankie’s, Mendocino Market, and The Brickery are all great for hungry kids and their parents. You can also get grab-and-go food from Harvest Market at Mendosa’s and Gnar Bar.

Is the beach safe for kids?

There are no lifeguards at any of the Mendocino Coast beaches, so be sure to keep an eye on your kids by the ocean. Sneaker waves, while rare, have been known to occur. Most beaches like Big River, Russian Gulch and Van Damme are fed by rivers which can be great swimming options for younger children or if the surf is looking rough. 

Are any of the local festivals family friendly?

The Mendocino Film Festival, held every Memorial Day Weekend, typically includes several documentaries and features that can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages in its schedule, as well as its annual children’s program. The Mendocino Music Festival brings world class musicians to their tent on the bluffs every July from a variety of genres. And the annual North Coast KelpFest! in October has educational and artistic events—a number for children—exploring the condition of the underwater ecosystem right off of the Mendocino Coast.

What is the best place to stay in Mendocino for families?

The best place to stay in Mendocino for families is right here with our Family Tents, designed to give you space, comfort, and a true outdoor experience without sacrificing convenience. Our spacious 16' x 20' tents sleep 4–6 people and are thoughtfully located near the Grand Fir Forest and Meadow, where kids can play, explore, and connect while parents unwind. Every campsite includes a picnic table and fire ring with a grill for easy meals and cozy evenings, and with options like dog-friendly and wheelchair-accessible tents, it’s an easy, memorable stay for the whole family.