The 47-acre Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, on a marine terrace two miles south of Fort Bragg, offers a pleasant opportunity to get acquainted with native plants of the region, as well as with some exotics. Paths take you through a coastal pine forest and groves of tree-sized rhododendrons, passing azaleas, heathers, fuchsias, heritage roses, and other plant collections,...
The 47-acre Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, on a marine terrace two miles south of Fort Bragg, offers a pleasant opportunity to get acquainted with native plants of the region, as well as with some exotics. Paths take you through a coastal pine forest and groves of tree-sized rhododendrons, passing azaleas, heathers, fuchsias, heritage roses, and other plant collections, then lead across grassland to a rocky headland. The marine terrace, above high rocky seabluffs, has been carved by Digger Creek. Steep terrain and the creek prevent wheelchair access along the North Trail, but there are plans to build a 175-foot wheelchair-accessible bridge that would make the trail more accessible to some wheelchair riders. Paths wind through a dense coastal pine forest and past 20 sizable plant collections, and eventually lead to the seabluffs. En route you can see tree-size rhododendrons, heathers, heritage roses, fuchsias, and many other shrubs, flowers, and grasses. More than 80 species of birds live in or visit the gardens, including acorn woodpeckers, Anna's hummingbirds, American goldfinches, red-throated loons, osprey, and hawks. You’ll likely see butterflies floating about the perennial and dahlia gardens. After a summer and fall of color, migrating gray whales add excitement starting in December.
There's always something in bloom, so check the garden's website for the bloom schedule and plan your visit accordingly. Start your day with a picnic on the plaza that overlooks the perennial gardens and end it with local, handmade ice cream from Cowlick’s at the Plaza Café (open 11 am-5 pm, May to Labor Day, and weekends in April and September). Be sure to leave time to linger in the retail nursery and garden gift shop. Several electric scooters are available for free at the entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. Benches are plentiful, and dogs are permitted on leash.
Spaces have no access aisle but are very wide. I had plenty of room to lower my ramp.
The most accessible restroom is at the start of the Coastal Bluff Trail, but the doors are heavy. The single-user restroom by the parking lot has a 30” door clearance, limited turning space, a pedestal sink, and only one grab bar.