The best road cycling routes around Sea Ranch

Great views into the Russian River estuary. Just before the Bridge on the south side is a store for resupply and food. The small Willow Creek Road before the bridge to the north follows the river's south side with great views and access to trails up the mountain.

The largest beach between Bodega Bay and Jenner, Wright's is the Southern Terminus of the Kortum trail, a rugged coastal single track that runs north from the end of the paved beach access. At low tide the sand along the waterline is firm enough for biking as well. Wright's Beach has picnic facilities and restrooms for a break along the ride, as a starting point. For overnight stays, the campground has over 25 oceanside campsites.

You might not immediately think of Russian-American history in California (at least I didn't), but Fort Ross was actually the southernmost outpost of Russian colonization on this side of the Pacific. The visitor center is a good place to get oriented to the interesting history here, which also includes ranching, more than 100 years now as a state park and, before everyone else, the Indigenous Kashia Pomo people.

From this spot, you get fantastic views of the Point Area Lighthouse. This is a great place to snap a few photos and soak in the panoramic ocean views.

The Point Arena Lighthouse is located on California's Mendocino Coast and stands as a historic beacon overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Originally built in 1870, it was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake as the 115-foot white tower you see today. It is actually one of the tallest on the West Coast! Visitors can explore its interior on guided tours, ascending 145 steps for panoramic ocean views, and learn about its history through exhibits in the Fog Signal Building, which also offers museum displays. The lighthouse grounds, which are part of the Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands, provide opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing, making it a great spot to spend the afternoon exploring along the Mendocino Coast.

With rocky cliffs as a backdrop, Stump Beach is a sandy cove overlooking the ocean in Salt Point State Park. The beach is at a major trail intersection and is hard to miss. You get a pretty cool perspective of the beach from up on top of the overhang area.

The Schooner Gulch area was inhabited by the central Pomo Indians. Russian and native Alaskan hunters were active in the area beginning around 1812, and Mexicans owned land in the area by the 1840s. Scottish immigrant John Galloway founded the Schooner Gulch settlement and established a wood milling business there in 1866. The Galloway mill only operated until 1868, but other mills operated there until the late 19th century, such as a mill owned by an A. Saunders (of quite large size, at 25,000 feet (7,600 meters) per day), built in 1875, Burned down in 1880 but was rebuilt this year. The Galloway School District was officially founded in 1874. Galloway School, a small school (never more than 40 students), was founded the same year and operated until 1936. The land around it was converted to farmland in the 1940s and is now forest. In 1912, Russian Baptist immigrants bringing steam-powered heavy equipment from Point Arena to their colony further south were crossing a bridge then spanning Schooner Gulch when the bridge collapsed under the weight of its eight-ton lead engine. Colonist Nicholas Pogsikoff was killed and buried at this site, but his grave is now lost. Schooner Gulch timber, like all timber in Mendocino County, was shipped by sea. Typically, the small dwellings that grew up around these mills were abandoned when the mills ran out of readily available wood and closed.

The Point Arena Lighthouse (https://pointarenalighthouse.com) is located a couple of miles off the highway. The road to Point Arena is unsheltered, so expect it to be a windy ride. A non-profit organization runs the place, along with a gift shop and cottages for rent. I arrived near closing time, and they let me approach the base of the lighthouse admission-free.