Wooden Bridge at Knights Ferry

Built in 1864, the 330 foot bridge at Knights Ferry is the longest covered bridge in the western United States. Closed in 1980 to vehicles, it is still open for foot traffic.

There are nearby campsites, shaded picnic areas, and many access points to the Stanislaus river. The park is popular with hikers, bikers, rafters, and joggers. It also has a visitors center with interactive exhibits about the history and ecology of the area.

A fun rafting trip for most ages begins just downriver from the bridge. Bring a large water gun, because water wars happen all along the river.

Big Tree at Calaveras Big Trees State Park

If you have neck problems, don't visit Calaveras Big Trees State Park, home of some of North America's largest trees, because you will be spending your trip looking upward at the phenomenal Sequoia redwoods. This photo is taken on the popular North Grove trail, near the park's entrance.

If you go, visit Calaveras Big Trees' official site.

Boardwalk in MacKerricher State Park

The cypress tree lined boardwalk in MacKerricher State Park ends at Laguna Point, where harbor seals lounge in the sun. MacKerricher also boasts Lake Cleone, which is stocked with trout and visited by over 90 species of birds, Haul Road, a coastal trail that is popular with bikers, joggers, and walkers, and and a grey whale skeleton to greet guests at the visitor center at the entrance to the park.

If you're going, visit MacKerricher State Parks website.

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.

Unnamed Waterfall in Russian Gulch State Park

Maps simply refer to this waterfall in Russian Gulch as "waterfall," but I wish I knew its proper name because it is a refreshing end to a peaceful, shaded stroll on the Fern Canyon Trail. The first part of the trail can be biked, but the last mile or so can only be hiked. A group of picnic tables provide a pleasant rest stop midway through the trail. The total round trip is about 6.5 miles depending on where you park your car, a bit far for our then 4-year-old son to walk, but we misheard the ranger and thought "just over three miles" was round trip, not one way. Needless to say, we carried him piggyback most of the trek out. 

For your reference, here's the California State Park Department's description of the trail and a map of the location. If you go, wear layers and don't forget mosquito repellent.