Point Arena: Trails, Wildlife, and Local History

When planning a trip to Point Arena, you can focus on several different things: marked trails and wildlife viewing, activities at the pier, and local history. The Point Arena-Stornetta Unit is a destination for nature and outdoor activity, while the Point Arena Pier offers fishing and weather-dependent kayaking. Historic districts and the Arena Theater offer additional perspectives on the area. If you’re looking for a hotel in Point Arena, these points of interest can help you tailor your trip to your interests.

Marked Trails and Wildlife

The Point Arena-Stornetta Unit borders Point Arena and offers eight miles of marked trails. For travelers who want to make hiking or walking outdoors a priority, these trails provide a specific point of reference. The eight miles offer a sense of the scale of the trail network. Trail conditions can change, so check them before you arrive. The Unit is designated for day use.

Wildlife is another distinctive feature of the area: seals are commonly seen in the Unit, and gray whales migrate through. The distinction between frequent seal sightings and migrating gray whales provides useful context if wildlife is as important to you as the marked trails.

Fishing and Kayaking at the Pier

The Point Arena Pier is a public fishing pier. Kayaking is also possible there, but depends on the weather. This makes a practical difference when planning your day: fishing from the pier and kayaking are different activities, and you should plan the latter around the weather conditions. The pier can therefore be considered a distinct focus from the Unit, with its trails and wildlife viewing.

Historic Sites in Point Arena

The Arena Cove Historic District includes structures associated with maritime trade. The Main Street Historic District has a different historical focus: a fire on June 25, 1927, destroyed most of Point Arena’s commercial buildings. Most buildings in the Main Street Historic District were constructed in 1927 and 1928. Maritime trade and the history surrounding the fire and the years of construction thus represent distinct historical aspects.

The Arena Theater was restored by local craftspeople in the Art Deco style in 1997. The date refers to a restoration, not the theater’s original construction, distinguishing this cultural point of interest from the construction dates of the Main Street Historic District.

Food and Drink

Arena Market & Cafe serves breakfast burritos and/or sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, and espresso. The menu may change, so check the current selection if you’re planning around a particular dish.

Discover more destinations: Hopland, Ukiah, Redwood Valley, Philo, Gualala, Mendocino, Willits, Boonville.

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