Welcome to MendocinoFun.com!

“MendocinoFun features articles, maps and commentary on local goings-on that strive to go beyond standard convention and visitors’ bureau fare.” – San Francisco Chronicle

“MendocinoFun.com is not your typical destination tourism Web site – and that’s a good thing ... offering insider tips on everything from hiking to romantic picnic spots and secluded surf breaks.” – Sacramento Bee

Fort Bragg’s Oddities Tour: Dynamite Shed and Horse Rings

December 24, 2008 at 11:52 am by bruce · Filed under attractions, family fun, favorites, general, pet-friendly, walks

This lumber/fishing town turned art colony/tourist destination can now boast about quirky sites-to-see, thanks to Ron Bloomquist, 67, a retired local with a knack for noticing what others ignore. Seems Ron has a talent for spotting the interesting, odd and beautiful on streets, alleys and beaches. Nearly everyday at the end of his early morning walks, he posts insightful comments along with pictures and pithy captions for his blog, WalkingFortBragg.com. In fact, he has discovered so many unusual points of interest that the City of Fort Bragg Promotion Committee has printed “Fort Bragg Oddities,” a brochure detailing 20 quirky sites on a self-guided tour (available at tourist attractions, galleries and shops in Fort Bragg). For a commemorative tee or sweatshirt, visit Toto Zaida, a boutique on Laurel near Main in Fort Bragg.

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Model Railroad Running at Botanical Gardens

December 21, 2008 at 12:12 pm by nancy · Filed under general

The train passes through the forest.Kids enjoying the train.Under Way!The Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society has just opened a large permanent model of Digger Creek & Northern Railroad. It is huge - with a little over 200 feet of track of main line - and it is UNIQUE!

1. It is solar powered.
2. It is the first “living history” raised from the ground public model railway. Many garden railways (in fact most) model a period but few try to recreate scenes from “real life” even though they may be based on a locale or a railroad. For well over 100 years nearly every river and doghole port on the Mendocino Coast from Gualala in the south to Rockport to the north was the home of a redwood lumber mill and its railway. Alas, the whistles of the mills and the trains that brought the redwoods to the mills blow no more. They are all gone. The Digger Creek and Northern recreates those bygone days through dioramas based on real life scenes including a 16 foot long model of the Pudding Creek Trestle.
3. The Digger Creek and Northern was built and paid for by the Mendocino Coast Model Railroad and Historical Society and donated to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Digger Creek is maintained and operated by the Model Railroad Club. So, what’s so unique about that? ….. Well the “unique deal” is that ANYONE who is a member of the Botanical Gardens or who has paid for admission can run his/her/their train anytime they want. If you have a G Scale loco (electric or live steam) and a consist (if you have one you want to bring one) you can run it through scenes of railroads along the Mendocino Redwood Coast. Make arrangements through the front desk.

Located by the vegetable garden in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, the train is running daily until January 1 (except for Dec 25), then open weekends year round.

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Dedication of Laguna Point Interpretive Panels

December 18, 2008 at 7:15 pm by nancy · Filed under attractions, biking, birding, ecotourism, events, family fun, hikes, parks, pet-friendly, walks

The public is invited to attend a dedication ceremony on December 20 at 10 am as California State Parks proudly announces the installation of 11 new interpretive panels along the boardwalk at Laguna Point, part of MacKerricher State Park.The panels are designed to inspire and inform visitors about the natural and cultural history of Laguna Point and surrounding areas.  These dynamic panels describe and depict a variety of topics including Native American traditions, logging history, harbor seals, gray whales and more.  Also included along the boardwalk is an important display on how to stay safe on the shore. These are the newest and arguably the best interpretive panels that State Parks has anywhere on the Mendocino Coast, and we are very excited to share them with locals and visitors alike!  Entrance to the park is free, so plan on bringing your families to enjoy a stroll and stop by Laguna Point at 10:00 am for the ceremony. MacKerricher State Park, 3 miles north of Fort Bragg, California, on Highway 1. To reach the dedication ceremony location, enter at the park’s main entrance, where you see the large wooden sign, and turn left at the second stop sign. Follow the park road past Lake Cleone and under the bridge to the Laguna Point Parking lot near the ocean. For more information on these exciting new panels or the dedication ceremony, please contact Park Interpreter Fred Andrews at (707) 961-0471.

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Lightkeeper Rogerson Authors New Lighthouse Book

December 13, 2008 at 2:53 pm by bruce · Filed under Book Hunting, Community Service, general, history

“Images of America: Point Cabrillo Light Station,” by Arcadia Publishing, is a wonderful new photo history, covering everything from the Pomos and Frolic shipwreck that led to settlement on the Coast to major preservation awards for the restoration work awarded to the Lightkeepers Association in 2007.

Anyone who knows the author, Bruce Rogerson of Fort Bragg, will tell you he is one of the  Coast’s hardest working and most reliable volunteers. When he says he’s going to do something, he does it and does a great job. Read the rest of this entry »

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Community Christmas Concerts by Gloriana

December 12, 2008 at 11:41 am by dff · Filed under general

The Gloriana Carolers in the Sanctuary at the Mendocino Presbyterian ChurchFor over 20 years, the Gloriana Carolers (part of Gloriana Musical Theater Company) have been caroling in Victorian garb during the holidays. All of the money raised goes for scholarships for students in the performing arts (over $20,000 over the years!).

Each year, the Carolers put on 2 community concerts — the concerts are free, but donations go to the scholarship fund. There are 2 caroling groups this year: an all-women group, and a mixed quartet (blog author DFF is a member). Both groups will be performing, and the concert ends with a sing-along.

The first concert is Monday, December 15, from 8-9 pm at the Mendocino Presbyterian Church, 44831 Main St, Mendocino. The second concert is at the First Baptist Church, E. Pine and Franklin Streets, in Fort Bragg on Tuesday, December 16, from 8-9 pm.

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