2012 Map of Westport

About this map

Westport and the northern Mendocino coast appear here in a landscape defined by steep ridges and complex coastal drainage systems. Small settlements like Rockport and Hardy are positioned where narrow valleys and gulches meet the Pacific Ocean, reflecting a history of coastal commerce and resource extraction. The terrain is notably fractured, with numerous deep incisions such as Slaughterhouse Gulch and Jimmy Gulch carving through Cottaneva Ridge and Alviso Ridge. This geography dictated a linear development pattern, with infrastructure like Branscomb Rd and Howard Creek Rd navigating the difficult elevation changes between the shore and Bell Mountain. Landmarks like Cottaneva Needle and Cape Vizcaino provide prominent navigational points along a shoreline dotted with named hazards and outcrops, including Sea Lion Rock and Switzer Rock.