Nestled along the stunning Mendocino Coast, about 20 minutes south of Fort Bragg, Little River Blowhole is an essential stop along any beach and city-filled California road trip. Named for the tiny community it calls home, this unusual formation features a small, sandy beach at the bottom of a steep, fern-lined basin. During high tide, waves flood the beach through a narrow tunnel connecting the blowhole to the Pacific Ocean. But, during low tide, Little River Blowhole becomes the ultimate hidden
beach. However, to reach this gem, visitors must rappel 60 feet into the basin, and it's no easy task.
Despite the misleading name, this blowhole is actually a "punchbowl," so don't expect the shooting water you'd find at places like Kauai's most photographed destination, the Spouting Horn. Over thousands of years, pounding, sand-laden waves created a long sea cave in the cliff. As the rock became thinner and thinner, what started as a tiny hole in the cave ceiling — just big enough for a blowhole — completely gave way, leaving behind an exposed, sandy beach basin.
Nowadays, Little River Blowhole is accessible via a half-mile hiking trail maintained by the Mendocino Land Trust. The path itself is almost completely flat, but finding the trailhead takes a little bit of work. There is no direct ocean access from the trail, as the final viewpoints are nestled in the bluffs overlooking the waves.
Read more: The 5 Best Hidden Hot Spring Hikes In California
How To Reach Little River Blowhole
As is the case with many a great adventure, the journey is half the reward. You'll find the marked trailhead just off Highway 1, behind the Little River Cemetery. Entering "Blowhole Trail" into Google Maps is a good starting point, but it won't reveal the exact location. Specifically, you must walk through the cemetery (being respectful, of course) to access the trailhead. The Blowhole Trail leads through a pine forest, where duff dampens the sound of your steps and a network of branches provides shade.
To get into the punch bowl, hikers must rappel down the steep cliff face using a frankly rather flimsy-looking rope. Although some visitors make the climb down, the Mendocino Land Trust doesn't advise entering the punch bowl, and the views from above are nothing to scoff at. However, if you decide to take the risk, make sure the rope has no frays and is secured. Obviously, this part of the trail is not kid-friendly, and it's not the time to embark on your first solo hike.
The best time to visit is outside of the rainy winter and spring months, preferably between June and late September. Expect temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit that require a light jacket or fleece in the mornings. If you decide to climb down the rope into the punchbowl, consider bringing gloves to protect your hands from chafing.
Other Blowholes And Sea Caves In The Mendocino Area
The dramatic Mendocino Coast brims with adventures for outdoor enthusiasts, especially those fascinated by the sheer power of the ocean. A leisurely drive down the coast is like a scavenger hunt for unusual rock formations, and Little River Blowhole is just the tip of the iceberg.
Only 10 minutes north of Little River, Russian Gulch State Park is home to the Devil's Punchbowl, another collapsed sea cave sculpted by wave action and time. Measuring 100 feet across, this massive punchbowl is accessible via the 0.3-mile Headlands Trail, also called the Devil's Punchbowl Trail. The short path offers incredible views of the coast, including jagged cliffs and the Russian Gulch Bridge's Panhorst Bridge, one of the most picture-perfect places along the Mendocino Coast.
Another great way to see the area's unusual rock formations and sea caves is by kayak. Departing from Van Damme State Beach, about a minute's drive from Little River Blowhole, Kayak Mendocino offers the "Sea Cave Nature Tour," which lasts 90 minutes and takes explorers through two sea cave tunnels. This package allows visitors not only to get out on the water but also to peek at sea stars, urchins, and other tidal zone creatures up close.
Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.
Read the original article on Islands.
