Golden Coast

road trip to Mendocino // California

By Lauren di Matteo

WRITTEN BY NICOLE BRAVO

Taking advantage of our proximity to the ocean in this quaint coastal town, we attempted to make it to the cliffs on foot. As we explored this uncharted territory, we took notice of several no trespassing signs yet plodded onward—believing for the best and hoping no one would shoot us on sight. Eventually we were disappointedly halted by a barbed-wire fence extending in both directions as far as the eye could see. I’m sad to say, this did in fact deter us from going any further. The next day, determined to meet with success, we decided to go by car. Taking a road that seemed to run right along the coast, we ended up in Mendocino Headlands State Park, a most fortuitous find. We hopped out and took to the dirt trails along the cliffs’ edge, awed by the surrounding beauty—at a most glorious hour— without a soul in sight.