Rockport Bay Beach(Cottaneva Creek Beach, Cottoneva, Cotineva)

Located to the north of Fort Bragg, Rockport Bay Beach - also known as Cottoneva Creek Beach, Cottoneva, and Cotineva - is a scenic beach with light brown sand. This beach is situated along the shores of the Rockport Bay below oceanfront bluffs. The Cottoneva Creek flows through the beach into the Pacific Ocean. In the 19th century the beach was used as a spot for loading lumber onto ships. This lumber was then ferried to San Francisco and other important commercial destinations. Remains of an old wooden bridge can also be seen near this bridge. A sprawling settlement named Rockport (originally called Cottoneva) was present near this beach during the 19th and the 20th centuries. You can still see the remnants of the local town schoolhouse near Rockport Bay Beach. The access road to Rockport Bay Beach is situated near the intersection between North Highway 1/Pacific Coast Highway and Rockport Street. Unfortunately, it is important to note that the area around this beach is privately owned and is closed to access for the general public. However, despite the restricted access to the beach, sea kayakers occasionally stop at this beach for a quick rest while exploring the shoreline around this beach via kayak. 

There are many attractions near Rockport Bay Beach within a 40-minute drive. The Chandelier Tree in Drive-Thru Tree Park is a 276-feet high coast redwood that has a large tunnel running through it - this tree is popular with visitors as they can drive their cars through it. This popular and exquisite tree is named the Chandelier Tree as its limbs resemble chandeliers. 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. 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 programmes 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 California Department of Parks and Recreation website for more information on these campsites. If you are looking for another attraction near Rockport Bay Beach, The Guest House Museum was built in the 19th century and currently serves as the headquarters of Fort Bragg - Mendocino Coast Historical Society. The museum has interesting exhibits on the history of the city of Fort Bragg and Mendocino County.

There are many attractions near Rockport Bay Beach within a 40-minute drive. The Chandelier Tree in Drive-Thru Tree Park is a 276-feet high coast redwood that has a large tunnel running through it - this tree is popular with visitors as they can drive their cars through it. This popular and exquisite tree is named the Chandelier Tree as its limbs resemble chandeliers. 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. 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 programmes 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 California Department of Parks and Recreation website for more information on these campsites. If you are looking for another attraction near Rockport Bay Beach, The Guest House Museum was built in the 19th century and currently serves as the headquarters of Fort Bragg - Mendocino Coast Historical Society. The museum has interesting exhibits on the history of the city of Fort Bragg and Mendocino County.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Rockport Bay Beach within a 40-minute drive. Oscar’s Restaurant offers delicious steaks and seafood. Mayan Fusion Restaurant offers fantastic Mexican cuisine with culinary influences from the Yucatan peninsula. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Rockport Bay Beach, the modestly priced Jenny’s Giant Burger has a retro ambiance and serves delicious burgers in generous portions. 

If you are looking for a hotel near Rockport Bay Beach, there are many great options within a 40-minute drive. The 4-Star Inn at Newport Ranch offers breathtaking views of the Mendocino County shoreline. In addition, the hotel offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast and evening snacks, access to spa services, a sauna, and a hot tub. A more affordable hotel is the Howard Creek Ranch Inn Bed & Breakfast which offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast, a hot tub, and a sauna. In addition, hiking trails are also available which offer a fun hiking session around the bed-and-breakfast’s 60-acre property. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Rockport Bay Beach, the 2-Star Westport Hotel offers many amenities including a pub, complimentary breakfast, sauna, and a wraparound porch.