Pelican Bluffs Preserve(Pelican Bluffs Reserve)

Located in the city of Point Arena, Pelican Bluffs Preserve has a very small, narrow, and rocky beach that is backed by a large bluff.  Pelican Bluffs Preserve is a coastal park that is spread across 73 acres and was opened on May 19, 2018 by the Mendocino Land Trust and the California State Coastal Conservancy. Also known as Pelican Bluffs Reserve, Pelican Bluffs Preserve features a small Bishop pine forest, small stream, two-mile-long hiking trail called the Pelican Bluffs Coastal Trail, open meadows with wildflowers, and lots of plants, birds, and animals.  

Pelican Bluffs Preserve welcomes dogs on leash and offers many amenities including picnic tables, benches, trails, and accessible pathways.  

There are many fun activities at Pelican Bluffs Preserve including hiking, birdwatching, whale watching, and beach walking. Please note that bikes are not allowed on the trails.

Getting to Pelican Bluffs Preserve requires a little bit of work – the beach is situated at 26300 Shoreline Highway where you will find a bluff with a couple of trails. You need to walk along a 1,000-feet-long trail that extends along the bluff’s edge to the south and leads to the only beach access. Visitors can use the small free parking lot at the entrance of Pelican Bluffs Preserve.

If you are looking for nearby attractions, there are many options within a 45-minute drive of Pelican Bluffs Preserve. Russian Gulch State Park is a fun tourist attraction that offers a campground, 36 feet tall waterfall, and hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Immortal Tree is a 1,000 years old Coastal redwood tree that is 258 feet tall and has survived the Flood of 1964, lightning, and fire – it is a fantastic place for Instagram-worthy pictures and picnicking.  If you like golfing, the oceanfront Emerald Dolphin Mini Golf & Arcade has an 18-hole miniature golf course, arcade, air hockey table, family billiards table, and a party room. The non-profit children’s museum Redwood Discovery Museum features many interactive exhibitions and thematic education programs in the fields of science, art, culture, technology, and healthy living. Another great attraction near Pelican Bluffs Preserve is the Skunk Model Train Museum that is home to one of the largest collections of railway locomotives, streetcars, electric cars, buildings, and other artifacts.

If you get hungry, you can drive 15 minutes to many restaurants near Pelican Bluffs Preserve. The American eatery 5200 Restaurant & Lounge serves many seafood dishes including oysters, fish, prawns, shrimps, and groupers at very reasonable prices. Albion River Inn Restaurant is an oceanfront Californian restaurant that offers incredible views of Albion Cove and has a nice menu including starters, soups, appetizers, oysters, desserts, and wines. Another great restaurant near Pelican Bluffs Preserve is Ledford House, a seaside eatery featuring Cal-Med cuisine, wines, and live jazz music.

If you are looking for a hotel near Pelican Bluffs Preserve, you can drive 25 minutes to many nearby hotels. The luxurious 4-Star pet-friendly hotel Heritage House Resort & Spa is spread across 37 acres and features a lounge, spa, fitness center, and restaurant. If you are looking for affordable hotels near Pelican Bluffs Preserve, the 3-Star Albion River Inn offers many amenities including a bar, restaurant, and hiking tours – and the Fensalden Inn welcomes pets.