(9/4-7) LABOR DAY CAMPING in MENDOCINO: Kayak in Sea Caves 🛶 Redwood Train Ride 🌲🚂 Sea Glass 💎 Beach Play 🏖️ + More

from $0.00

Friday, Sep 4 — Monday, Sep 7, 2026

A Labor Day weekend for the memory books in Mendocino County: 

WHAT WE'LL ENJOY 🥳🥳🥳

🛶🐚 KAYAK THROUGH SEA CAVES: Paddle right into hidden sea caves and past lounging harbor seals — family-friendly, no experience needed, and honestly one of the coolest things you'll do all year.

🚂🌲🚂 RIDE THE REDWOOD TRAIN: Chug through a towering redwood forest on a family-friendly train ride departing from Fort Bragg — kids (and adults) will love it.

💦🥾 CHASE A LOCAL WATERFALL: We'll hike out to see a local waterfall in full flow (fingers crossed on rainfall!) — if it's running low by September, we'll pivot to a lighthouse + harbor seal viewing outing instead, just as magical.

🪸⭐🐚 EXPLORE TIDEPOOLS: Get up close with starfish, anemones, and crabs in the tidepools — a hit with every age group.

🌊🏖️ BEACH DAYS, MENDOCINO & FORT BRAGG: Multiple beach windows built into the weekend, plus time to wander Mendocino village, Fort Bragg, and Glass Beach's famous sea glass.

🏕️🌲🏖️ CAMP IN A COASTAL FOREST: Home base is a stunning forest campground just 2 miles north of Mendocino — fall asleep to the sound of the ocean through the trees.

🫶🏿🫶🏾🫶🏽 COMMUNITY, FRIENDSHIP & SUPPORT: Instant 'playdate' for your kiddos! We usually have kids from toddlers up to tweens join, with all of the kids playing together! You might see old MMH friends + hopefully make some new ones, too! MMH offers all kinds of support: Need help setting up your tent? Solo parenting on the adventure and need some extra support? We got you!

This is our idea of ADVENTURE CAMP for kids, but it's for families and we get to explore different campgrounds and parks! You will make wonderful memories with your family and friends 🏕️❤️🫂🤲🏽!!

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Guided outings!!!

  • Camp in a group with other families

  • Enjoy an educational scavenger hunt and adventure maps with your kids!

  • Make s’mores around the campfire (gas stove if campfire is not allowed at the campground; depends on what authorities decide)

  • Toy and arts-and-craft station, plus outdoor adventure lab, for the kids when we’re not out adventuring

  • Make wonderful memories with your family and friends

Pricing Types:

Friday, Sep 4 — Monday, Sep 7, 2026

A Labor Day weekend for the memory books in Mendocino County: 

WHAT WE'LL ENJOY 🥳🥳🥳

🛶🐚 KAYAK THROUGH SEA CAVES: Paddle right into hidden sea caves and past lounging harbor seals — family-friendly, no experience needed, and honestly one of the coolest things you'll do all year.

🚂🌲🚂 RIDE THE REDWOOD TRAIN: Chug through a towering redwood forest on a family-friendly train ride departing from Fort Bragg — kids (and adults) will love it.

💦🥾 CHASE A LOCAL WATERFALL: We'll hike out to see a local waterfall in full flow (fingers crossed on rainfall!) — if it's running low by September, we'll pivot to a lighthouse + harbor seal viewing outing instead, just as magical.

🪸⭐🐚 EXPLORE TIDEPOOLS: Get up close with starfish, anemones, and crabs in the tidepools — a hit with every age group.

🌊🏖️ BEACH DAYS, MENDOCINO & FORT BRAGG: Multiple beach windows built into the weekend, plus time to wander Mendocino village, Fort Bragg, and Glass Beach's famous sea glass.

🏕️🌲🏖️ CAMP IN A COASTAL FOREST: Home base is a stunning forest campground just 2 miles north of Mendocino — fall asleep to the sound of the ocean through the trees.

🫶🏿🫶🏾🫶🏽 COMMUNITY, FRIENDSHIP & SUPPORT: Instant 'playdate' for your kiddos! We usually have kids from toddlers up to tweens join, with all of the kids playing together! You might see old MMH friends + hopefully make some new ones, too! MMH offers all kinds of support: Need help setting up your tent? Solo parenting on the adventure and need some extra support? We got you!

This is our idea of ADVENTURE CAMP for kids, but it's for families and we get to explore different campgrounds and parks! You will make wonderful memories with your family and friends 🏕️❤️🫂🤲🏽!!

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Guided outings!!!

  • Camp in a group with other families

  • Enjoy an educational scavenger hunt and adventure maps with your kids!

  • Make s’mores around the campfire (gas stove if campfire is not allowed at the campground; depends on what authorities decide)

  • Toy and arts-and-craft station, plus outdoor adventure lab, for the kids when we’re not out adventuring

  • Make wonderful memories with your family and friends

    • Picnic tables

    • BBQ grills

    • Fire ring

    • Showers

    • Nice flush toilets 

    • Drinking water

    • 2 EV charging stations

    • Bear lockers

    NOTE: Car camping means you park your car next to the campsite! Easy peasy

    • Hikes are easy. You should be able to walk a few miles carrying you and your children's items. The hike in the Redwoods is not stroller friendly.

    • Kayak vendor allows children ages 4 + up (exceptions have been made in the past for younger kids; DM Miranda with questions).

  • Subject to change due to weather/trail conditions, park closures, etc

    Friday: Check in from 4 p.m. on. Beach play, short ocean hike to see awesome sinkhole and sunset! Make camp, kids enjoy arts and crafts, plus games. Later, make dinner, s'mores around the campfire.

    Saturday: In the morning, we'll head out on an adventure to see a local waterfall! Since waterfall flow depends on rainfall and can be unpredictable by September, we'll scout the trail a few weeks beforehand — if the falls are low, we'll swap it for a lighthouse + harbor seal viewing outing instead, and let everyone know via the WhatsApp group ahead of time. Afternoon: Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.

    Sunday:     In the morning, we’ll head out on our kayaking adventure! I have secured a 50% discount for adults in our group. Children ages 4+ are allowed (exceptions might be made for younger kids, DM Miranda); the cove is protected from rough waters. (Kayak info: https://www.kayakmendocino.com/; $40/per person (yes, kids, too). We’ll kayak in the morning (9 AM); for those who aren’t kayaking, tide pooling on the beach at this location is a great option! Afternoon: Visit Mendocino village and play on spectacular beach near town!

    Monday: Breakfast at campsite, break camp, then head out for our awesome train ride through the Redwoods, departing from Fort Bragg. If more than 20 people, our group will get a 15% discount (train info: https://www.skunktrain.com/; seats: $57 per person, lap child free). 

    • All logistics. We plan the itinerary

    • Parking (1 car per family)

    • Guided hikes, scavenger hunt and educational activities; arts and crafts for the kids 🎨🪀

    • An iron-on patch as a memento of the camping trip plus a small journal for parents to document the adventure! (campers only)

    • A digital guide for our adventure that includes natural + cultural history

    • A camping checklist

    • Assistance with camping set-up

    • S’mores kit for the group 🔥🪵🍫

    • Firewood

    • Charcoal

    YOU'LL ALSO GET ACCESS TO

    • First-aid kit

    • Loaner kit of hiking gear (48-hour notice). Please inquire about what gear is available; we have items for kids and adults, like single/double jogging strollers, Baby Bjorn infant carrier, toddler backpack carrier, hiking poles, etc. Complete loaner kit request form

  • Parking is limited at our Mendocino group site — only 8 spots! If you coordinate with another family and ride together in one car, we'll take $15 off per person in your carpool group.

    Example: 2 families of 2 carpooling together = 4 campers, each saving $15 = $60 off your combined booking.

    We'll send your carpool savings via Venmo/Zelle after the trip — just let us know you carpooled (and with whom) when you check in.

    Don't have a carpool partner? No problem — let us know on the sign-up form and we'll help match you with another camping family.

  • FLAT FEE FOR WEEKEND
    CAMPERS

    EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL: $200/person (through MONDAY, JULY 27)
    STANDARD: $220/person (after MONDAY, JULY 27)
    *Trip is not refundable.
    *Camping trip takes place rain or shine
    *Prices increase starting MONDAY, JULY 27, so book early. SPOTS ARE LIMITED!

    Carpool discount: $15/person reimbursed after the trip, with a matching option for families without a partner

    1. Add this adventure to your car and checkout! Please make sure to select the number of people in your group (i.e. quantity of 2, etc)

    2. Make payment for kayak/train via Zelle Venmo. Please state your name + 2nd adult’s name (if one is joining) as well as how much you are paying for each activity (i.e. Miranda Steiner, $80 for two kayaks, $114 for two train tickets; total $160): https://bit.ly/mommyandmehikingvenmo or Zelle (650-888-2765)

    3. Join the WhatsApp chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LFWCwCOd6B19lUp0n9Kciy

    4. Complete loaner kit request form: https://bit.ly/loanerkit

WHERE WE ARE STAYING

 

NOT INCLUDED
*Food (we can potluck the side dishes if people want)
*Camping gear (though I have some hiking gear and limited camping gear that you can borrow: loaner kit request form)
*Kayaking and train tickets costs

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICY
*Prices increase after July 27 so book early 
*Trip is not refundable.
*Camping trip takes place rain or shine

WEATHER: Labor Day weekend in Mendocino typically sees daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 70s and overnight lows in the mid-40s to low 50s. Mornings often start foggy with marine layer that burns off by midday, so layers are your friend. Please ensure that you have a season-3 sleeping bag (the most common type; great for everything except snow). I'll be keeping an eye on the weather and will advise you as we get closer to the trip. If you sleep cold, here are some tips how to stay warmer overnight.

NOTE
*Dogs are allowed at the campsite, on the beach and on some but not all trails
*No entrance fee for campers