SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON) – The State of California has reopened its doors for all leisure travel.

With one of the highest vaccination rates in the country, if you can’t wait to travel our Bay Area backyard is full of possibilities.

Our travel enthusiast Dana Rebmann joins us with some inspiring ideas for an outdoor getaway in Mendocino.

The list of great possibilities is long… but today we are heading to Mendocino County.

Just over two hours from San Francisco, Anderson Valley is known for its wine, but save time for its redwoods.

Hendy Woods State Park is home to about five miles of easy to moderate tree-lined trails that in some cases are over 300 feet tall and are a thousand years old.

There are two groves: 80-acre Big Hendy – which tends to be the most popular – and 20-acre Little Hendy.

It’s a great outdoor spot for all ages and fitness levels, and if you’re heading towards the coast, it’s a good place to stop and stretch your legs after being in the water. car for a while. And you don’t have to have a ton of time.

You will see enough to make you smile in an hour. But if you have more time, even better. ($ 8 per car entrance fee)

Besides large trees, Mendocino County is famous for its cool coastline.

With over 90 miles of coastline, it’s really hard to go wrong here. Russian Gulch State Park has 15 miles of trails, but today we venture less than a mile along the Headlands Trail for some postcard-worthy scenery.

The trail runs along the coastal cliffs and gives you a glimpse of a sinkhole called Devil’s Punchbowl. It was created when an ocean tunnel collapsed due to the pressure of breaking waves.

The park’s picnic area isn’t too ugly either. It’s the Panhorst Bridge in the distance. If you take a ton of more photos than you need to, no one will blame you. ($ 8 per car entrance fee)

Being outside and taking lots of photos is kind of a theme when traveling in Mendocino County. Welcome to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. 47 acres fort .. including four miles of track, some with ocean views.

Another must-see is the Dahlia Garden.

Flowering usually begins in June and peaks in August and September. There are over 400 plants and 150 varieties.

You must purchase tickets online before visiting. There is currently a timed entry system, so you need to be a bit organized.