Van Damme State Beach — Attraction in California

Van Damme State Beach is a hidden gem along the Mendocino Coast, perfect for a quick yet memorable stop while traveling to Fort Bragg. Nestled off Highway 1, this serene spot is a fantastic place to stretch your legs, enjoy the fresh ocean air, and take in the beautiful scenery. The beach itself is small and tranquil, with calm waves rolling into a protected cove surrounded by dramatic cliffs and lush coastal greenery.

If you have a bit of extra time, the trails around the beach offer a chance to explore coastal forests, and the tide pools are fun to check out at low tide. Kayakers also love this spot for its easy access to sea caves nearby. Van Damme is peaceful and uncrowded, making it a perfect quick break that leaves you refreshed and ready to continue your journey north...

This is a decent beach to take the kids for some light wading and ocean watching. The waters in Northern California are known to be quite turbulent and I would beware rogue waves and tide levels. The beach is rocky near the water, composed mostly of small pebbles but some are jagged. The area further back toward the parking area is mostly sand with some rocks mixed in. The beach is very used and was very populated while we were there with people camping, kids playing, and people coming and going. It’s a decently sized beach so having room was not an issue. There are bathrooms here (I don’t know about the cleanliness because I didn’t use them) and a sand-wash station near the parking area so you can rinse your feet before leaving! Not a bad...

Van Damme State Beach is at the estuary of the Little River, near Little River CA 95456. It is a nice beach in a semi-protected cove. I swam here on the afternoon of Saturday, July 2nd, 2022; the water was cold! There is an outdoor shower pole with two shower and 2 foot-shower nozzles. A State Parks and Recreation employee on a golf-cart stopped to chat with me; he drives down from the Van Damme State Park Campground and Visitor Center to collect fees from those who wish to park & camp overnight in the beachfront parking lot....