The northern California coastal region of Mendocino may not be on everyone’s radar. However, with some of the state’s most wild and scenic coastal beauty, together with the many wondrous groves of old-growth redwoods and the liquid assets of the bucolic Anderson Valley, the Mendocino region assures that the 3-hour drive from San Francisco is well worth it.
Where to stay – two classic coastal inns
Combining history with contemporary comforts, the Brewery Gulch Inn is a marvelous display of redwood craftsmanship. Numerous details displaying the warmth and character of redwood are evident throughout the redwood-shake Inn.
The reception room features a soaring glass and steel-faced wood-burning fireplace, which also serves as a centerpiece for the inviting Great Room. Ten-foot redwood-framed French doors lead to a spacious deck, where guests can relax and marvel at the stunning views of Smugglers’ Cove and the Pacific Ocean.
The Great Room not only serves as a perfect spot for gathering, but it is also where an outstanding cooked-to-order breakfast and the evening’s wine hour, including a generous selection of light bites, are served complimentary for guests. Creatively prepared small plates are uniquely served in Bento boxes, allowing guests their choice of dining location – the Great Room, the back deck, or in front of the fireplace in the privacy of their own room. The Pan-roasted Pacific Rock Cod and Thai-Style Chicken Curry were outstanding.
The ten guest rooms (eight with private redwood decks) all have an ocean view, a gas fireplace, a cozy seating area with leather club chairs, and high quality amenities. The Inn’s stand-alone Massage Pavilion creates a perfect atmosphere for any of the offered massages and yoga sessions.
The Brewery Gulch Inn is the recipient of numerous awards from Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and USA Today, including Travel & Leisure’s #7 Top Resort Hotel in California for 2022.
Another great choice for a stay in Mendocino is The Little River Inn. One of the oldest lodgings on this beautiful stretch of coastline, the Inn faces the setting sun and offers incredible ocean views. Surrounded by lush gardens, a stately Victorian building is the centerpiece of the property. Many of the 65 luxury units feature fireplaces, wet bars, Jacuzzis, steam showers, and private hot tubs. The Inn has won numerous awards from Conde Nast and USA Today.
Dining at Little River Inn is both classic and creative. Chef Marc Dym creates dishes that are familiar and modern, while at the same time demonstrating his creativity. We enjoyed a classic Grilled Flat Iron Steak and a Brazilian Seafood Stew Moqueca. The Whale Bar’s character says a lot about the inn itself – welcoming, unpretentious, and relaxed.
The Inn’s 9-hole golf course, tucked among the hills, pine trees and redwoods, encourages keeping the ball in play. But the views make even errant balls worth it. You can enhance your stay with a spa service, as the Inn’s Spa offers a full array of massages and facials.
Mendocino’s natural beauty
A visit to the Mendocino area begs the exploration of its state parks for their natural beauty. Russian Gulch State Park’s rugged beauty rivals any point along California’s coast. Hike Fern Canyon in Van Damme State Park for some exquisitely tranquil scenes of fern groves and towering redwoods. Mendocino Headlands State Park with its sheer bluffs surrounds the small town of Mendocino on three sides. The town, known for its art galleries, shops, and inns, is the essence of quaint, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Paddle or pedal in the natural beauty of Mendocino’s Big River Estuary with Catch a Canoe & Bicycles Too. This full-service outdoor shop has a wide selection of kayaks, canoes, SUP’s, bicycles, and its specialty, authentic redwood outriggers. These ultra-stable canoes are made locally from reclaimed old growth and are kid and pet friendly.
Be sure to ride the world-famous Skunk Train. The train is a popular attraction taking riders from the coast into the redwood groves. For a unique experience we suggest taking the 7-mile Redwood Route on a Skunk Train railbike.
The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens are a must for any horticulture enthusiast. Located on 47 acres running from California Highway 1 to the Pacific Ocean, this magnificent site includes manicured gardens, canyons, coastal bluffs, and wetlands.
Experiencing wine country – as it used to be
Everyone knows that California is wine country. And with 11 AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas), Mendocino County isn’t about to take a back seat to its more well-known wine neighbors in Sonoma and Napa. Notable among these areas is the Anderson Valley. It is wine country as it used to be – approachable, intimate, uncrowded, and primarily owner-operated.
We enjoyed – and highly recommend – two tasting experiences in the Valley. Our tasting with Guy Pacurar, Owner and Dad of Fathers + Daughters Cellars, was private and unique. “Taste at the Top” is an intimate session with Guy sipping great wines on a hilltop overlooking the vineyard.
Another of the many vineyards and tasting rooms located along Route 128, “the Wine Road to the Mendocino Coast,” is Lula Cellars, a boutique winery located in the revered “Deep End” of the Anderson Valley. We especially enjoyed their handcrafted Pinot Noir wines.
Spend some time in San Francisco
Most likely you will be setting off for Mendocino from San Francisco, so you want to be sure to include several days before or after your Mendocino visit to experience this wonderful city. A great introduction to the city, and one of the best ways to explore the highlights of San Francisco, is to purchase one of the Hop-On, Hop-Off tours offered by Big Bus Tours. Their two-day Essential Tour includes 16 stops where you can hop-on and hop-off at different locations throughout the day. We suggest staying on board for the two hour narrated tour to get a “feel” for the city. You travel through many diverse neighborhoods while learning interesting information about key city landmarks. You can then return to the stops of your choice anytime over two days. The narrated tour is available in 6 languages. The highlight of this tour is the journey across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
A truly exciting, unique experience is to rent a bike from Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rentals and bike the Golden Gate Bridge. Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rentals offers a variety of bikes for rent, but we opted for their electric bikes. Popular routes include: Bike the Bridge to Sausalito- Return by Ferry, Discover the Heart of the City, and Bike the Parks and Beach. With the electric bikes we were able to cover almost all of the 3 routes on our journey (The bike shop is only 3 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, so it is located in an ideal spot.)
CityPass is available in 16 U.S. cities and it offers travelers the opportunity to “spend less and experience more.” The San Francisco CityPASS offers admission to 4 attractions and the C3 PASS allows admission to 3 attractions. Both passes allow you to “choose” what attractions you wish to visit from a variety of choices offered. Many of these attractions can be accessed from your Hop-On, Hop-Off tour from Big Bus Tours.
Splash Magazines
Be the first to comment