The Beach at Jug Handle State Natural Reserve

If we hadn't have woken up on our last day of camping to a very flat tire on our car, we wouldn't have had to put the "donut" on and drive north to the nearest service station in Fort Bragg, and we wouldn't have had two hours to kill while the flat tire was repaired in a very busy repair shop. Without that flat tire, we wouldn't have ended up at Jug Handle State Natural Reserve, for a last minute picnic lunch to pass the time while we waited.

We are grateful for that flat tire because the beach was a beautiful, half-hidden gem that we had driven past several times during our stay in the Mendocino - Fort Bragg area, but never stopped at. The sand was soft and warm, the waves were gentle, the water was clear, and heavy winds bypassed the sheltered cove, which is as much as can be asked for in a Northern California beach.

If you go, here is the California State Parks Department's guide to Jug Handle SNR.