RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK This park is
known for the heavily forested Russian Gulch Creek Canyon, a
headland that features the Devil's Punch Bowl (a large,
collapsed sea cave with churning water), and a beach that offers
swimming, tide pool exploring, skin diving and rock fishing.
Inland, there is a 36-foot high waterfall. Hikers enjoy miles of
hiking trails. The park also has a paved three-mile bicycle
trail. Russian Gulch State Park was acquired in 1933 through
gifts of land and money by A. Johnston and the County of
Mendocino to match State Park funds. The park has a total area
of 1,162 acres with 7,630 feet of ocean frontage. With its
rugged headlands thrusting out into the blue Pacific, the park
is thought of by many as the north coast's rival of Point Lobos.
One of the many features of the headlands is the "blow hole."
Its formation was made by the incessant pounding of waves
against the coastal headlands. A tunnel has been formed which
comes inland about 200 feet, and at its end