Manchester State Park takes its name from the weather-beaten village of Manchester, which is located in Mendocino County on Coast Highway 1 about seven miles north of Point Arena.

Manchester State Park

This is an area of rich grazing lands flocks of sheep and herds of cattle which add a pastoral note to some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the world. The works of man are definitely secondary to pounding surf, screeching gulls, and grazing animals that dominate the scene.

A county road a mile north of Manchester leads to Manchester State Beach. This unit of the State Park System consists of 760 acres of beach, sand dunes, and flat grasslands, with nearly 18,000 feet of ocean frontage. The beach line curves gently to form a "catch basin" for sea debris, which accounts for the volume of driftwood found here.

Most of the campground at Manchester State Park is separated from the beach by the sand dunes, which offer some protection from the winds. There are 18+ campsites, each with table and fire ring. Piped drinking water and pit toilets are available nearby. The day-use area is on the beach, with a few fire rings and pit toilets for visitor use. The parking area will accommodate approximately 50 vehicles. Ten environmental camps are available; a 1.1 mile walk in. No water is available.

The weather at Manchester State Park is typical of the entire north coast. Temperatures seldom rise above 72 nor dip below 50. Rainfall is heavy from September to May, and morning and evening fog is common during the summer months. Strong winds prevail year-round.

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