The water world nearby includes:
•Big River: swimming and canoeing (rentals available); studying the river, marsh and tidewater ecology
•Coastal State beaches and tidepools
•The Mendocino Headlands
•Albion River
•Little River
•Jughandle Creek
•Ten Mile River
•Kayak Rentals at Van Damme State Park Beach

Nature study areas nearby include:
•The Pygmy Forest
•Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
•Jughandle State Preserve Ecological Staircase
•Thousands of acres of forest, ferns, plants, animals and mushrooms

The picturesque town of Mendocino is just 11 miles from the Woodlands, and is well known for its 19th-century charm. The town has lots of fine art galleries, shops and restaurants. Art classes are offered at the Mendocino Art Center.

The nearby town of Fort Bragg, 8 miles north of Mendocino, provides most of the necessities and many of the pleasures of life. There is a variety of food and hardware stores, a hospital, many fine restaurants, a growing number of galleries, and a movie theater. The Skunk Train can be boarded in Fort Bragg for a fun trip with stunning scenery.