Manchester State Park — Attraction in Point Arena

If you want a small quiet state park along the ocean that doesn't take reservations, that will likely have spots available and with miles of beach to play on this is a good place. It has basic camping services (water, septic tank hole type toilets and dumpsters for your trash). They don't have showers or a camp store. There is a busy KOA park up the street a bit. There is a well stocked store in the nearby town of Manchester which is about 1.5-2 miles from the campground. Campsites have picnic tables and fire pits. There was no firewood available for sale at the campground when we were there. The store in manchester had some for sale, however. Point Arena Lighthouse is about 6 miles away from the campground by road. In case you are thinking about walking to the lighthouse from the beach below the campground just know it's about 1.5hrs walk there and so 3hrs walk round trip and no you can not get to the lighthouse from the beach because of the Garcia River that runs along that side of Point Arena and its associated cliffs. It was an interesting walk because we walked along the beach for an hour without seeing another human soul and found shells and a sand dollar. So if you like long walks along the beach here's your...

I camped here at the end of last season with my family. We had spent one night on Navarro beach but the campground was full, and a ranger recommended Manchester Park. The campsite is well maintained and managed. The walk to the beach is short. They do not allow dogs on the beach, however. The camp spots with the better view of the water are beautiful, but can get very windy. The camping spots further in have less of a view, but are less windy and are more comfortable. Bob Kilroy, camp host, was amazing! We had him over for hotdogs one night and he brought over ingredients for burgers the next evening. He was generous with food, and told interesting stories. We hope to see him there again...

We drove into this state park in mid-October, 2013 during a foggy period looking for a camp site. Temps were about 53 degrees. The camping sites aren't very appealing as they are basically just beach type shrubbery, open to the elements and didn't appeal to us. It would have been ok with better weather, but we chose to spend the night at the nearby KOA campground cabin. It cost $71 per night, but was better than camping in the open and probably wet tent from the fog and dew in the morning.

More recommended is the Salt Point S.P. further south, especially on the hill side camp area if there is any...