Russian Gulch State Park

Russian Gulch State Park is located two miles north of Mendocino, California on Highway 1 and was acquired by the state in 1933. The park has 7,630 feet of Pacific Ocean frontage and offers many activities for visitors. The name of the park is likely to have been derived from the fact that Russians, who established nearby Fort Ross, were probably the first white men to explore and chart this area.

One of the major features of the park is the "blow hole", which is about 100 feet across and 60 feet deep. Visitors can look into this pit and observe the sea at high tide as well as various flowers and plants. There is a beach here too where visitors can take a swim in the sea, explore the tide pools, dive or do a spot of rock fishing.

Miles of hiking trails can be found in the park including a six and a half mile round trip from the campground to the 36-foot high waterfall. Cyclists cannot access all areas of the park but there is a three mile trail located here. Campgrounds are also located here with restrooms, shower facilities and picnic areas.