Manchester State Park sits along the Mendocino coast about seven miles north of Point Arena off Highway 1, and it’s genuinely one of those places where you can spend hours just walking and your dog will be content the entire time. The five miles of sandy beach have this unusual curve that catches all sorts of driftwood and kelp, so there’s always something interesting for your dog to sniff and investigate as you walk the shoreline. The waves here are substantial—you’ll hear them before you see them sometimes through the fog—and there’s something about that sound that makes a long beach walk feel restorative rather than routine.

The park’s setting is distinctly Mendocino County. Behind the beach you’ve got grazing lands with sheep and cattle scattered across them, which gives the whole place a working landscape feel rather than a manicured park vibe. There are trails threading through both the beach area and the inland sections, so you’re not limited to just sand if your dog prefers ground cover underfoot.

Keep your dog leashed throughout—the park takes this seriously, both to protect local wildlife and prevent your dog from chasing livestock or getting into trouble with the terrain. From September through May, expect fog and wind rolling in regularly, especially mornings and evenings, so bring a layer even if it seems mild when you arrive. The cooler weather actually makes for better hiking conditions since your dog won’t overheat on longer walks.

There’s a real opportunity here to do both beach exploration and inland trail walking in one visit, which keeps things interesting if you’ve got a dog that gets bored with repetitive scenery. The driftwood along the shore means you can throw sticks if your dog is into that, and the open beach gives plenty of room for them to move around while staying under your watch. Just plan to spend more time here than you might expect—the beach has a way of stretching out a walk.