Old Haul Road Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching, swimming, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, bodysurfing, boogie-boarding, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and jet-skiing. If you are planning to go into the water near Old Haul Road Beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is extremely cold and is also known to have rip currents. The water near this beach is home to many animals including seals, sea lions, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). The blufftop areas around the beach have many interesting hiking and biking trails that offer unique views of the Mendocino County coastline and the Pacific Ocean. One of these trails is the Old Haul Multi-Use Trail (also known as the Ten Mile Trail) that follows the route of an old railway line that was used for transporting timber. A portion of this trail goes through a wooden trestle bridge that was built in the early 20th century. Nearby, the scenic Ten Mile River flows through the region, adding to the natural beauty of the area and offering additional opportunities for exploration.
MacKerricher State Park has a variety of habitats that you can explore via hiking and biking trails including grasslands, sand dunes, forests, and wetlands. The state park also has a lake named Lake Cleone, whose surrounding areas are home to many animals including foxes, raccoons, and black tailed deer. If you like birdwatching, the lake also attracts many bird species including ducks, cormorants, and herons. In addition, this lake and the area surrounding it is also a popular resting spot for migratory waterfowl. Lake Cleone is also a popular paddle-boating spot. If you like horse riding, there is a private concession near MacKerricher State Park which offers horse riding tours within designated state park areas. The state park’s visitor center also has many interesting exhibits including a grey whale skeleton. In addition, docent-led tours, junior ranger programs, and campfire programs are frequently organized by the state park. The state park also has four campgrounds. If you are planning to camp here, you can visit MacKerricher State Park’s web page on the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s website for more information on these campsites.