Page 31 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021 DISCOVERING MENDOCINO

NAVARRO RIVER REDWOODS STATE PARK

Wine lovers visiting Mendocino County are
only a short drive away from Anderson Valley, one
of California's best - and most beautiful - wine re-
gions. Visitors get to the wine country by way of
scenic State Highway 128 which is called the
greatest stretch of California road you’ve never
heard of. We visited Anderson Valley twice on this
road trip, first arriving from Sonoma and the sec-
ond time as a day trip inland from the Mendocino
coast.
Both meandering routes are scenic, especially
passing through the stands of giant redwoods that
flank Highway 128. Navarro River Redwoods
State Park, is a eleven-mile-long tunnel of giant
second-growth redwood trees that stretch from
the mouth of Navarro River Beach to the rolling
vine covered hills of the Anderson Valley.
We pulled over several times at the convenient
pull-outs along the highway, taking advantage of
the road’s many turnouts for awe-inspiring walks
in silence among these magnificent trees. Mary
discovered the remains of a hollowed out trunk of
a first growth redwood -- photo opportunity fol-
lowed.
The park is popular with campers, fishermen,
and kayakers. It’s also home to raccoons, black-
tail deer, and river-oriented birds. Many thanks to
our wise forbearers for protecting them rather
than foolishly chopping them down for firewood.

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