Mendocino, while quite small and secluded, may seem quiet and sleepy. But for those who take the time to give it a chance, and truly, deeply explore it and it’s secrets, it can be found to be quite the magical place. Surrounded by redwoods, beside the aggressive northern ocean, Mendocino has many tourist attractions. With quaint shops, delicious restaurants, and beautiful nature everywhere, Mendocino is an amazing place, with many activities and places for visitors to find themselves lost. This list, however, is for the those who want to further explore the place they thought they knew, or get a inside look at some of the secret spots one might not chance upon or find online.

1. The Water Tower

While a very known, and easily identifiable landmark in our small little town, the water tower is more than it appears and can be quite the magical spot to visit if you do it right. Most tourists, as well as locals, don’t realize what they walk under everyday. Just on the corner of Kasten and Ukiah St. the old water tower stands tall, overlooking the entirety of our small little town. If you wait for the cover of darkness, hop the broken down fence surrounding it, and make your way to the ladder up, you’re all but done. The one tricky part about the whole extravaganza is the very first step onto the ladder. The first few rungs have been knocked out, and a board has been nailed across the railings. But with a little upper body strength, or with a push from a friend, you can easily make it past, pull yourself up, and from there it’s just hand over hand. Once you reach the top it’s breathtaking. Literally, the cold air is sharp and bitter, stealing your breath. But the view is so beautiful, you don’t even care. The moon and stars surround you as you gaze down below upon the serene town, enveloped by the sounds of the nearby waves. Everything else melts away as you lose yourself in the heart of Mendocino. It is a beautiful and magical place, perfect for a first kiss, or somewhere to clear your head. While it is illegal, as well as quite dangerous, as long as you are careful, it is an absolutely necessary part of the Mendocino experience that is well worth the risk.  

2. The Waterfall

It is unanimously understood worldwide that waterfalls are one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles. Something about the loud rushing water, it’s abrasive nature holds a raw power that stuns and captures onlookers.  The same can be said about Mendocino’s local waterfall, located in the Russian Gulch State Park. Though this spot may be found online, many doubt the remarkableness of a small town waterfall and fail to give it a chance. However, it deserves one. The park is just north of town, off highway one, though you wouldn’t know it, buried deep in the cold enclave of the Mendocino forests. As you follow the trail, the river snakes beside you, and the cool shade is broken every few feet by sharp rays of sunlight. It is about a three mile hike, with little incline and vast beauty. You can hear the waterfall well before you see it, its crashing silencing all other sounds of the forest. When you round the corner and finally catch a glimpse of it, the scene takes your breath away. You find yourself in a green lush cove, surrounded by the sound of the water, as the mist falls on you, making rainbows in the sky. It is the perfect place to go and clear your head, an escape from the world, as you get a fresh breath of air. The hike is well rewarding and every moment enjoyable as you venture into a nature and find yourself in a beautiful world. I highly recommend making the journey at least once in your lifetime, especial in the winter when the air nips at your nose and the waterfall is full from the rain. The experience will leave you better off and be a memory that stays with you forever.  

3. The Spiral Tree

The least well known of the list, by far, is the Spiral Tree. This location was actually a recent discovery I made, and it may not even be known by anyone else, so you as the reader should feel very lucky to be let in on this secret spot. My freshman year I ran Cross Country and as one would imagine, our practices would consist of running. One of our runs was called the Jackson Hill Loop. Recently, I had decided to revisit the trail, due to a mix of boredom and curiosity. Across the highway, on Jackson street, if you walk up the road to the right, you will find a trail that goes through the small shaded wood near the middle school. It’s a short trail, but cool and peaceful, and if you stop at the apple tree at the trailhead you will have some fresh snacks for the walk. As I walked the trail munching my apple, slowly and observant compared to my fast paces Cross Country days, I found the most miraculous tree. It is incredibly tall, taller than all surrounding trees, reaching high above the ground. What seems to be hundreds of thick spiralling branches reach out from the trunk, progressing upward in an alluring manner. It calls to you like the trees of childhood, begging you to climb it. As soon as you place your first hand on one of the branches, you find yourself rushing upward, unburdened by weak branches, far reaches, or thick canopy. It’s a simplistic, sturdy climb that leaves you at the top of the world, met only by the fresh breeze and beaming sunlight. It truly is an experience worth having, and rush that brings you back to childhood. Wait for a sunny, blue-skied day, and head up there. I promise you will enjoy yourself.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you went or what you did, but who you did it with and if you had a good time. So just make sure to keep exploring, wherever that takes you, or whatever that means to you. Hopefully these spots make the impact on you as they have for me and you find something of your own on the way. The world has endless amounts of secrets; it’s just about finding the ones that call to you.