Little River to Mendocino: Inn to Inn

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This hike starts at the Little River Inn and heads north to Mendocino, mostly in the Spring Ranch area of Van Damme State Park. There is some hiking along Highway One crossing the bridge over the Big River to enter Mendocino.

The Highway One bridge crossing can be a bit scary because of traffic.

This hike starts at the Little River Inn, follows a trail north above Highway One for 100 yards to Van Damme State Park. Cross Highway One to the beach and find a trail on the north end at a drainage which connects to Spring Ranch a new section of Van Damme.

Follow the coastal bluff north towards Mendocino. Eventually you reach a fence where you head east towards Highway One. Briefly hike along the shoulder until you get to Brewery Gulch Road on the west side. Follow this back to Highway One just before the Big River. Here is where there is the bridge crossing over the Big River with a narrow shoulder. Please be careful!

One possible alternative is to catch a canoe ride across the Big River. I am not sure if the canoe rental place will do this. They are located at the end of S. Big River Road.

Otherwise, follow Highway One north to N. Big River Road, and take this down to the beach. Follow the path under the Highway One bridge. Continue along the beach until you see a stairway going up the bluff to the west. This will take you to Mendocino.