Free Hikes, Exhibits, Reception, Film Showing Highlight Rocks and Islands Birthday Party

Guided hikes, a film presentation, photo exhibitions and a reception highlight a day-long community celebration Sunday, Jan. 10, in and around Point Arena on the southern Mendocino County coast.  All events are free and open to the public.

The events are being held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Bureau of Land Management’s California Coastal National Monument, and the larger National Landscape Conservation System, of which the monument is part. Point Arena is a gateway community for the monument.
 
The following events are offered:
 
Guided Birding Walk, 9 a.m., Lighthouse Road:  Participants should meet at a parking area near the Point Arena Lighthouse. Binoculars and spotting scopes are helpful.

Free Lighthouse Admission:  The Point Arena Lighthouse will waive admission fees from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.  Free admission tickets are available from Point Arena merchants or online at www.pointarenalighthouse.com, the Point Arena Merchants Association at www.pointarena.net, or the BLM California Coastal National Monument, www.blm.gov/ca/ccnm, (click on the Point Arena special event link).

Rocky Shore Picture Show, 10 a.m., Arena Theater:  An episode of Huell Howser’s “California’s Golden Parks” which featured the coastal monument will be shown, along with a monument slide show.  There will be awards for monument partners.  Free refreshments will be served.
 
Guided Hikes, 1:30 p.m., Stornetta Public Lands, Lighthouse Road at Highway 1:  These easy cross-country walks will be led by subject matter experts.
 
Guided Downtown Stroll, 1:30 p.m., downtown Point Arena:  Participants will join town historian Steve Oliff at the Centennial Plaza next to Arena Theater.
 
Lighthouse Reception, Point Arena Lighthouse, 3 to 5 p.m.:  Cake and refreshments will be served and a coastal monument exhibit will be on display.

Northern California District   355 Hemsted Drive, Redding, CA 96002