California Coastal Access Guide, Seventh Edition. California Coastal Commission

Mendocino County draws visitors from California and around the world to its rocky shoreline, sandy pocket beaches, and dense forests. Along with its natural attractions, the Mendocino County coast has fine art galleries, unique performance spaces, and lively community events.

      Visit a gallery or take in a performance

      For over half a century, the nonprofit Mendocino Art Center has exhibited the work of artists from the Mendocino area and beyond and has offered classes in painting, sculpture, ceramics, and jewelry-making. Outdoor painting demonstrations and quick-draw competitions are just a few of the center’s public events. The Art Center’s activities include the annual Mendocino Coast garden tour held in June and arts and crafts fairs that take place in July and November. Musical performances take place on the first Sunday of each month. The Mendocino Art Center is located at Little Lake and Kasten streets. For information, see: www.mendocinoartcenter.org. With a long-standing reputation as an artist-friendly community, the town of Mendocino is also home to many commercial galleries, as are Fort Bragg and other Mendocino County communities.