Jefferson Way Beach Access

Located to the south of Fort Bragg, Jefferson Way Beach Access is a state-owned accessway that offers access to two beautiful, adjoining, and unnamed beaches which are separated by a large promontory. The beaches near Jefferson Way Beach Access are situated within a deep cove below steep oceanfront bluffs and have light brown sand. The shoreline around the beaches is rocky and many rock formations are present just offshore near these two beaches. 

The beaches near Jefferson Way Beach Access do not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. The beaches allow dogs on leash only if there are no seals present on the beaches, which can get easily scared by pets. 

However, both the beaches have steep and rough access trails. The beach on the southern side of the promontory near Jefferson Way Beach Access is much easier to access than the beach on the northern side of this promontory. The beach on the northern side of the promontory near Jefferson Way Beach Access has a tough access route going down along a steep and rocky bluff side, which also tends to get slippery after rains. Another and much easier way to access the beach on the northern side of the promontory near Jefferson Way Beach Access is via another nearby state-owned accessway known as the Ocean Drive Beach Access. Ocean Drive Beach Access has a long but easy walking trail that leads to the beach on the northern side of the promontory near Jefferson Way Beach Access. This walking trail starts near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Ocean Drive, and a free parking lot is also present nearby.    

The two beaches near Jefferson Way Beach Access offer many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, fishing, wildlife watching, surfing, swimming, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and jet skiing. If you are planning to go into the water at the beaches near Jefferson Way Beach Access, we recommend being extremely careful as the water near these two beaches is cold and has strong and dangerous waves. In addition, the rocky shoreline around the beach can inflict grave injuries. If you are a beginner swimmer/surfer, we strongly recommend foregoing any recreational aquatic activities in the water here. The water near the beaches is home to many animals including seals, sea lions, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). A popular activity in the beaches near Jefferson Way Beach Access is fishing - depending on the time of the year, you can catch a large array of fish in the water at the beaches near Jefferson Way Beach Access including salmon, cabezon, surfperch, and lingcod. The two beaches near Jefferson Way Beach Access are ideal for those looking for a quiet beach experience as they experience really few visitors. The blufftop area above these two beaches offers an incredible view of the Mendocino County shoreline and the Pacific Ocean.

Getting to both the beaches near Jefferson Way Beach Access is easy - the access trails to the beaches are located near 33201 Jefferson Way, which is easily accessible from Shoreline Highway / Pacific Coast Highway and where street parking is also available. 

There are many attractions near Jefferson Way Beach Access. Otis R. Johnson Wilderness Park is a seven-acre large forested park that has hiking trails. This park offers a unique insight into the regional biodiversity of North California. Jackson Demonstration State Forest has a large coastal redwood forest that has hiking, biking, and equestrian trails that offer an interesting way to explore its vibrant biodiversity and rich history. In addition, Jackson Demonstration State Forest also offers many fun activities including swimming, picnicking, seasonal camping, and seasonal hunting. If you are looking for another attraction near Jefferson Way Beach Access, Jug Handle State Natural Reserve has hiking trails that offer a unique insight into the flora and fauna of Mendocino County. The most famous hiking trail in this reserve is the two-and-a-half miles long Jug Handle Ecological Staircase Trail, which visitors can use to explore three out of five successive naturally formed terraces, each terrace having its own unique flora and fauna. These terraces were carved via changes in the regional tectonic plates and water levels. The first terrace has grasslands and wetlands and the second terrace has a woodland fir tree forest and many beautiful flowering plants. In addition, the third terrace has a pygmy forest (known as the Hans Jenny Pygmy Forest) consisting of Bolander pine, dwarf manzanita, and pygmy cypress trees. The size of the trees present in this terrace can be mainly attributed to the unique soil here which has very few nutrients. This pygmy forest was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1969.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Jefferson Way Beach Access. Mayan Fusion Restaurant offers fantastic Mexican cuisine with culinary influences from the Yucatan peninsula.  D’Aurelio & Sons is an Italian restaurant that offers amazing pastas and pizzas. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Jefferson Way Beach Access, the modestly priced Home Style Cafe offers excellent breakfast dishes including eggs, pancake, burritos, refried beans, and biscuits with gravy.

If you are looking for a hotel near Jefferson Way Beach Access, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Atrium Garden Inn has Victorian architecture and offers many amenities including a DVD library, an atrium garden, complimentary breakfast, and afternoon cookies and tea.  A more affordable hotel is the 3-StarCoast Inn & Spa which offers many amenities including a restaurant, a natural healing center, and a spa with a hot tub and a sauna. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Jefferson Way Beach Access, the modestly priced 2-Star Super 8 by Wyndham Fort Bragg offers many amenities including a cafe and complimentary breakfast.