Our Pacific Coast Highway journey continued to Mendocino, California, with a stay at Caspar Beach RV Park. I always want to be transparent with you, it’s important to share the misses along with the hits, and this site was unfortunately our least favorite of the trip. Between the run-down facilities and the muddy grounds, the atmosphere felt a bit neglected. The spots were cramped, offering very little privacy, and they even charged for showers! While I wouldn’t recommend this specific park, the surrounding area is so stunning that the experience is still worth the trip, just consider booking your stay elsewhere.
Before pulling into the campsite, we eased the tension of the long drive with a couple of drinks at Patterson’s Pub. It was the perfect spot to unwind before the work of setting up camp.
Since it was May 5th, we weren’t about to let Cinco de Mayo pass without a celebration. We found a lively Mexican restaurant called Los Gallitos. With vibrant live music and some of the best margaritas we’ve had in a long time, it turned into one of the highlights of the week.
The next day, we drove into Fort Bragg to visit the famous Glass Beach. Walking along the shore is a surreal experience; the beach is covered in smooth, colorful sea glass rather than traditional sand.
There is a fascinating history behind those colorful pebbles. From the early 1900s until 1967, the area was actually used as a water dump where residents discarded glass, appliances, and even vehicles. Over the decades, the pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean tumbled the discarded glass, breaking it down and smoothing it into the rounded, frosted gems you see today. Nature essentially took our trash and recycled it into a treasure. Under the afternoon sun, the glass fragments glistened like a carpet of jewels, showcasing a brilliant array of shimmering colors. After worked up an appetite, we had lunch at Café 1 overlooking the ocean before heading back to relax at camp for the evening.
Our final stop was the Skunk Train, and this is an experience you absolutely cannot miss. As the train meanders through the forest, the views from the windows are spectacular, but the real treat is the opportunity to get out and hike deep within the Redwood forest.
The scale of the trees is truly magical; walking among those giants felt like stepping onto the forest moon of Endor from Star Wars. Before heading out, we took a quick look at the Model Train Museum, which is a delight for the inner child in anyone. We capped off the entire trip with one last dinner at Patterson’s, toasted to the Redwoods, and returned to the campsite excited about our next adventure!