big river

This beach is rarely crowded, and is great for relaxing and watching the waves. There are two sections: the river side is quiet (usually families with small kids), and the ocean side is colder (from the sea breeze) but more scenic. Many people bring their dogs to this beach, and it is a great place to bring a blank and just hang out. The water is cold, but it's calm on the river side; however, the current is strong and the waves can be large on the ocean side, so swimming may not be the best idea.

They need to be on leash, but beyond that the walk down the river is fantastic. It is like taking a step back in time just to look at the the river.

Each time we go to the river it changes slightly, depending on the season and the tides. Lots of other people with friendly dogs. The river will be a special place to remember our Aunt.

Spent a couple of hours walking the river banks and seafront associated with this inlet - an extremely nice place for anyone and a real destination for families of all sizes and ages. Very safe place to go for a day with picnics and relaxation.

The Big River offers a nice sheltered beach that spans on either side of California Highway 1 in the town of Mendocino. While heading north on CA1, take the first exit to the left to drive down to the beach. The bluffs shelter create a shelter from the wind, and make this a nice, clean and relatively "warm" beach so far as northern California is concerned. You get the best of both worlds. A beach on the river, or walk under the bridge and get access to the Mendocino Bay beach. Nice location, and not crowded.

We took the Solar Eco Tour on the Big River estuary in a solar wind outrigger canoe through the Stanford Inn's Catch a Canoe facility. This guided tour is about two and a half hours long and leaves at 11:30 in the morning every day in the summer. (It's best to make reservations as it fills up quickly.) Our guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history and the flora and fauna, and they obviously love what they do. We saw many birds, including some nesting ospreys. We also stopped to watch a group of river otters. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable trip.

An early morning walk along Big River out to the bay was made easy by an incredibly low tide (must have been the "super moon" that day). The dogs were having fun, and the cool fog was just right to start the day.

We rented kayaks at the Stanford Inn and went up the river for a total of 2 hours. It was lovely, quiet, peaceful.There is also a bike path for miles along the river, fairly level, which we rode and loved.

Big River covers a huge area - about 7,500 acres - and is part of Mendocino SP. It was named for the massive redwoods which were here. There was a mill in operation here for nearly 100 years. Since trees do grow, nowadays there are *a lot* of very big 'second growth' redwoods.We didn't canoe or kayak as it was too cool and windy in May. We did walk a short distance up the old Haul Road. It's nice that horses are allowed here, even though we left ours at home! We also spent some time on the beach. The whole area is just lovely and was not crowded or busy. There is enough room for everyone to spread out :-)

We walked the beach here which is easy to get to. Take your dogs and a picnic lunch. It appeared people went at night and built fire pits. You can rent canoes or kayaks across the river or bring your own.

we rented bicycles from "catch a canoe and bicycles too" rental shop on one side of the river. We would also have kayaked but ran out of time. Used mountain bikes and road along the river on a path which does not allow cars. Very scenic river as well as helpful bicycle kayak rental place

I was directed there to go surfing but it wasn't a great day for it. Still, it seemed like a great beach for families, a nice protected cove with shallow and calm areas for kids to play. There was also a lot of surf (though choppy that day), boogie boarders were having fun.

Although I have canoed up Big River my favorite river to boat on his the Albion River. House boats and secret coves. My friends and I bike up River, walk it , run it. Especially this time of year the lupine, columbine, California poppies are all in bloom. You can go 10 miles up it. The blues of the river ever changing as you look through the trees, Kingfishers, cormorants, and the statuesque Blue Heron. Magic... Shimmering waters, wild flowers , but beware of the nettles off to the side. A little later wild berries to gorge on... one of my faves on the Mendocino Coast. Stanford Inn rents boats and bikes... be careful crossing the bridge... Bon Voyage.

What a superb area to explore while floating up river. Lots of wildlife to view. Walking the beaches and tide pools is a great way to spend an afternoon. One note the wind can really blow.

Canoeing and kayaking on the river is beautiful. There is a great trail on the north side of the river for walking, biking, viewing wildlife. One of my favorite experiences in Mendocino!