Big River Beach
About
Big River Beach is a public beach on the California coast in the Mendocino Unit, about 0.7 miles from the town of Mendocino. It has restrooms and accessible access, there is no fee, and dogs are allowed. Summer into early fall is the driest and mildest stretch. At a nearby weather station, typical July through September highs average about 65°F with only two to four wet days a month, while winter months see more than twice the rain days and highs in the low 50s. The Mendocino Headlands Bluff Trail starts just 0.2 miles away, and the South Trail lies about 1.6 miles off. Farther afield, Fern Canyon Trail is about 2 miles away and the Albion River offers canoeing roughly 8.6 miles from the beach.
Beach Details
Lifeguards
None
Dogs
Allowed
Parking
Available
Fee
Free
Restrooms
Yes
Accessible access
Yes
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Big River Beach
California
Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: May–Oct. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–65°F and lows of 45–50°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Ft Bragg 5 N, CA weather station, 14 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan52° high40° low
- Feb54° high41° low
- Mar55° high41° low
- Apr57° high42° low
- May60° high45° low
- Jun63° high47° low
- Jul65° high49° low
- Aug65° high50° low
- Sep65° high49° low
- Oct62° high46° low
- Nov56° high43° low
- Dec52° high40° low
Where it is
- Mendocino Unit · Public land
- Nearest town
- Mendocino, California · 0.7 mi
Source: NIFC Jurisdictional Units; USGS GNIS populated places
Nearby
- Mendocino Headlands Bluff TrailHiking0.2 mi
- South TrailHiking1.6 mi
- South Headlands TrailHiking2 mi
- Headlands TrailHiking2 mi
- North TrailHiking2.1 mi
- Fern Canyon TrailHiking2.1 mi
- South Fork Noyo RiverCanoeing8.5 mi
- Albion RiverCanoeing8.6 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
