Maximize the scenic factor while minimizing your carbon footprint.
By Suzanne Pletcher
You don’t need a car to transport yourself plus a backpack or bicycle to Mendocino County’s most exhilarating places. Here are six day or weekend trips for hikers and bikers who want to maximize the scenic factor while minimizing their carbon footprints. MTA’s van-style buses have bike racks for two to three bicycles and room for several more inside. There is no extra charge (but do bring your own bungee cords). You’ll be surprised by how much local lore and history you can learn from your driver, so don’t hesitate to tell him or her where you’re headed.
1. Anderson Valley Bus ‘n’ Bike Winery Tour
Overview: This daytrip for active wine-lovers offers the best of Mendocino’s wine region and features tastings of world-class wines from Scharffenberger, Goldeneye, Husch, Handley, Navarro and many smaller family-owned boutique vineyards. Most tastings are free, and when paired with a leisurely bike ride through one of the prettiest valleys anywhere, it’s a great way to spend a day.
Bike Note: Each MTA bus has a rack for 2 bikes on front and drivers will accommodate several more inside, space permitting. Call 800-696-4MTA (4682) for more info.
Out and Back Roundtrip Starts at: Any lodging establishment in the Town of Mendocino.
Trip Description: Ride your bikes a few blocks to the redwood shelter at Main Street and Lansing in Mendocino and meet the southbound 8:17 a.m. MTA Route 60 bus. Ride the bus to the Navarro River Junction stop where you’ll transfer to the 8:50 a.m. Route 75 bus that will transport you north on highway 128 to your destination town of Boonville. Along the way, you’ll pass through a splendid redwood forest and preview the picturesque wineries and farms that host tastings you can indulge in during your bicycle ride back toward the coast. The bus will unload you and your bikes in Boonville at 9:55. In Boonville, stock up on baked goodies and specialty coffees at Lauren’s, Mosswood Market or any other of the great eateries in town. Then hop on your bikes for the ride back to Navarro, first along bucolic Anderson Valley Way (first left after Mountain View Road) and then on highway 128’s broad shoulder, stopping at any winery or farm of your choice. Catch the 4:15 p.m. bus back to Mendocino from the Navarro General Store.
Total Bike Mileage: 14.4 miles without side trips, flat to slightly hilly.
Map of Anderson Valley wineries: https://avwines.squarespace.com/wine-road-map
MTA Online Bus Schedule and Route Map: http://mendocinotransit.org/routes/route-75/
Total Roundtrip Transportation Cost (bikes are free): $8/pp; $4/pp over age 62.
2. Glass Beach Bus and Hike
Overview: Perfect for beachcombers and hardy hikers alike, this outing can be a half or full-day trip offering expansive ocean views from coastal bluffs, pristine pocket beaches with tide pools to explore, and the long stretch of 10-Mile Beach and its natural sand dunes at McKerricher State Park. Glass Beach is your first stop. Literally a gem of a beach, it is famous for colorful glass mixed into the sand. These translucent nuggets are remnants from an old dump that have been polished by 50 years of Pacific tides and waves.
Out and Back Roundtrip Starts at: Any lodging establishment in Town of Mendocino or simply start your hike from any hotel in Fort Bragg.
Trip Description: From the redwood bus shelter at Main Street and Lansing in Mendocino, catch the northbound MTA Route 60 Coaster bus at 9:20 a.m. or 12:35 p.m. and ride to the last stop on Elm Street in Fort Bragg near Denny’s restaurant. Walk west down Elm Street a few blocks to the Noyo Headlands Park and Glass Beach. From the beach, head south on the newest section of the Noyo Headlands coastal trail, opened in 2015, that follows the bluffs south along the Pacific Ocean for 1.2 miles each way. If you want a longer hike of up to 15 miles roundtrip, walk north along the coast from Glass Beach and cross the Pudding Creek Trestle bridge. Continue along coast paths to MacKerricher State Park and 10-mile Natural Preserve. Catch the 2:35 or 3:35 p.m. MTA Route 60 Coaster bus south to Mendocino from the bus stop at Dennys.
Total Mileage: RT from bus stop: approx. 3 miles on south coastal trail and up to 15 miles on north coastal trail.
Map for Both Hikes: https://www.mendocinolandtrust.org/trails/northern-coastal-trails/noyo-headlands-trail/
MTA Online Bus Schedule and Route Map: https://mendocinotransit.org/routes/route-60/
Total Roundtrip Transportation Cost: $6/pp; $3/pp over age 62
3. Coastal Points of Interest Tour
Overview: Visit Mendocino coast parks and attractions without the hassle and expense of parking a car. Just hop on the MTA Route 5 BraggAbout bus and the MTA Route 60 Coaster bus and ask the driver to drop you off at your choice of the following destinations: Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, Botanical Gardens, Caspar Beach, Russian Gulch State Park, Jughandle State Park, and Town of Mendocino..
Out and Back Roundtrip Starts at: Any lodging establishment in historic Fort Bragg.
Trip Description: From any Fort Bragg hotel, catch the MTA Route 5 BraggAbout bus heading south to the Boatyard stop at Harvest Market in time to catch the MTA Route 60 bus leaving at either 7:40 a.m. or 11:57 a.m. Ask the driver to drop you off at the destination of your choice. Walk-ins enjoy lower entry fees to some parks. Catch a return MTA Route 60 bus heading north from Mendocino back to Fort Bragg at 12:32, 3:32 and 5:07 p.m.
MTA Route Map: https://mendocinotransit.org/maps-and-schedules/
Total Transportation Cost: $6/pp; $3/pp over age 62
4. Front Range Bucolic Bus & Bike Tour
Overview: This daytrip for intermediate bicyclists offers 24 scenic miles of rural backroads that wind through farmland and forests east of the spunky (and tiny) city of Willits. You’ll pass old barns, wide pastures, and a variety of farm animals as you pedal over two-lane country blacktop and four miles of dirt road featuring eight water crossings—good for adventure, wet feet and laughs in springtime before the water dries up—before arriving in the pastoral vineyard community of Redwood Valley.
Bike Note: Each MTA bus has a rack for 2 bikes on front and drivers will accommodate several more inside, space permitting. Call 800-696-4MTA for more info.
Out and Back Roundtrip Starts at: Any lodging establishment in Ukiah. Catch the bus across from Mendo Mill on North State Street (small sign and seat).
Trip Directions: Load your bikes and group onto the 8:12 a.m. MTA Route 20 bus heading north to Willits. The bus takes you up the Willits Grade, past the historic home of famous racehorse Seabiscuit, and into Willits, where you’ll disembark at Willits City Hall at 8:56 a.m. Ride east from City Hall on East Commercial Street, which becomes Hearst-Willits Road #306, a rolling backcountry gem that angles around bucolic farms and pastures to its intersection with Canyon Road. Go straight and follow Canyon Road up a long hill through farmland and forest until it heads downhill and intersects Tomki Road at your halfway point. Go right onto Tomki Road and follow it south over four miles of unpaved dirt and gravel road before pavement begins again for the last eight miles. Tomki Road snakes through remote woods where you’ll be serenaded by birdsong and enjoy virtually no traffic. You’ll cross eight streambeds, all of them shallow except one that you’ll want to wade across in spring. You’ll reach pavement again at a steep 10% downhill grade that lets you cruise most of the way to your destination, the vineyard community of Redwood Valley. On the way, you’ll pass quaint farms, the Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, and several tidy vineyards. Turn right onto West Road and—if you have time—stop for a homemade sandwich at Redwood Valley Market. Otherwise, ride past vineyards and small farms several miles to Highway 101 and the MTA bus stop. Catch the 12:48 MTA Route 20 bus back to Ukiah or optionally ride the frontage road back to Ukiah, another five miles.
Total Bike Mileage: About 24 miles with rolling hills and stream crossings
Google Route Map: http://bit.ly/3cCneJl
MTA Route 20 Online Map: https://mendocinotransit.org/routes/route-20/
Total Roundtrip Transportation Cost (bikes ride for free): $6/pp; $3/pp over 62
5. Gualala Weekend Getaway for Hikers
Overview: Particularly convenient for folks who live in Santa Rosa and the greater Bay area, this weekend trip lets you immerse yourself from start to finish in sublime views of and walks along a coastal masterpiece, the Pacific Ocean. Taking the bus means you can watch the scenery instead of having to worry about keeping your eyes—and your car— on curvy Highway 1. You’ll spend two nights in the artsy coastal community of Gualala and during the day explore a starburst of coastal trails that connect miles of coastal bluffs with secluded pocket beaches. Some of the trails are part of the California Coastal Trail that is slated to one day extend the entire length of the California coast. Other trails—including one to Whale Watch Point—is part of the Gualala Point Regional Park trail system through the wildlife-rich estuary where the Gualala River meets the Pacific.
Out and Back Roundtrip Starts at: Santa Rosa transit mall, 555 First Street in Santa Rosa.
Trip Description: Park in city garage 12 ($8/day) and hop aboard the 4:15 p.m. MTA Route 95 bus that will take you up the gorgeous Route 1 coast to Gualala, arriving at 6:45 p.m. in time for dinner. Ask the bus driver to drop you off at your hotel—the Gualala Country Inn and Surf Motel are closest to trails and have trail maps. Check in and then walk a few blocks to any of several restaurants in town for dinner. On Saturday, catch the 8:30 a.m. MTA Route 95 bus southbound and hop off a mile down the road at Gualala Point Regional Park or simply walk there from your hotel. At the park, hike south for 3 miles along coastal bluffs and secluded pocket beaches, through the Del Mar Ecological Reserve and to your turn-around at Walk-On Beach. On Sunday you’ll catch the 10:30 a.m. bus back to Santa Rosa, but before you leave, take an early morning walk back to the regional park and take a short hike north to Whale Watch Point and its gorgeous views. Arrive back in Santa Rosa at 1 p.m.
MTA Route 95 Online Schedule and Map: route map
Hiking Trail Maps: Sea Ranch Coastal Access Trails map and Gualala Point Regional Park info and map
Total Roundtrip Transportation Cost: (bikes are free): $16.50/pp; $8.20/pp over 62