Mendocino not only boasts magnificent coastal views, but also features outstanding restaurants with gourmet cuisine, diverse cultural opportunities, plenty of interesting visitor attractions, great shopping and a myriad of activities for the active traveler. Please click on each of the topics to the right to find out more.
Gourmands will find no shortage of ways to titillate the taste buds in Mendocino. We’ve mapped out just a few of the stops for keeping a foodie happy.
MENDOCINO RESTAURANTS
Mendocino and the surrounding environs boasts a bounty of restaurants for all palates and pocketbooks. Please refer to the following guide for identifying the choice that’s right for you. Fortunately, the Mendocino dining scene is not ‘resort priced’ and most restaurants fall into the moderate category.
Mendocino is a relatively casual community and none of these establishments have strict dress codes.
Day One (In the neighborhood)
Enjoy a fine breakfast with a breathtaking view in-room at The Sea Rock Inn. Pick up picnic supplies at the Mendocino Bakery and Café, wine from the Fetzer Tasting room and cookies from the Mendocino Cookie Company. Walk the headlands and select your spot for a picnic along the bluffs. Stroll the many village streets and grab an espresso at the Community Coffee Company.
Dinner at Cafe' Beaujolais.
Day Two (Winery touring in Anderson Valley)
Sea Rock breakfast. Take MendoWine Tour – to sample wines and take private tours of notable area wineries. Includes gourmet picnic lunch made by MacCallum House Chef. Cocktails at Patterson’s Pub – After all that wine, you may be ready for peanuts and ale.
Dinner at Moose Cafe' / Blue Heron Inn
Day Three (Venturing north)
Sea Rock breakfast. Drive north to the Botanical Gardens. Northern Italian seafood for lunch at Haron’s by the Sea (ask for a table on the deck). Travel north to Pacific Star Winery – sample their pinot.
Day Four (Exploring south)
Sea Rock breakfast. Drive south to Elk and poke around this charming seaside hamlet. Cocktails at Albion River Inn or Little River Inn all overlook the ocean
Build your own itinerary, or ask our concierge to help. Whether you are a gourmand, wine lover, athlete, culture hound or all of the above, Mendocino is a wonderfully multi-faceted destination.
A beautiful coastal community like Mendocino attracts artists. Thus, there are an abundance of ways to experience the art scene. Check the 'calendar of events' for special offerings.
MENDOCINO GALLERIES
Galleries abound. For a list of exhibits try: North Coast Artist Guild.
Mendocino Art Center - Gallery, classes, gift shop, pottery, weaving, painting, sculpture.
Highlight Gallery - High end glass, sculpture, jewelry, paintings, gift items
Partners Gallery - Upscale modern work by local artists - located in Little River
Panache Gallery - More traditional fine art
MENDOCINO MUSEUMS
Temple Kwan Tai - Authentic original Chinese structure built by early settlers
Grace Hudson Museum - Ukiah - famed painter who recorded Pomo Indians
MENDOCINO PAINT YOUR OWN MASTER
It is difficult to find a day when a Mendocino visitor or local isn't out painting one of the innumerable scenes of raw natural beauty that abounds here.
One can easily spend 3-5 days exploring the region via one or more of the many active ways to discover the beauty of Mendocino. Burn away the calories from those good Mendocino restaurants and then sink into one of our down featherbeds for a well earned night’s rest lulled by the sounds of the ocean.
BY LAND
HIKING THE MENDOCINO TRAILS
Scenic hiking trails abound in the Mendocino area with various settings, lengths and levels of challenge. Visit Mendocino National Forests for detailed information on all the trails within easy reach of the inn.
EXPLORE MENDOCINO ON HORSEBACK
Enjoy horseback riding on the beach or in the redwoods or both! All level of experience can be accommodated and private rides are easily arranged. To learn more visit Ricochet Ridge Ranch or contact the Sea Rock Inn concierge and we’ll happily make the arrangements for you.
MENDOCINO OCEAN VIEW GOLF
While there is only one nine hole golf course in the Mendocino environs, it is a dandy with lovely ocean views from the green and affordable green fees. To arrange a tee time, simply call our concierge or visit Little River Inn golf course.
MOUNTAIN BIKING THE MENDOCINO TRAILS
Many of the Mendocino county, state and regional parks have mountain bike friendly trails. Visit Mendocino National Forest Mountain Biking. If you are bringing your own fat tires, rest assured they can be stored safely at the inn.
MENDOCINO BICYCLE RENTALS
Bike along Highway 1, through the village of Mendocino or area paths. Visit Catch a Canoe or allow our concierge at The Sea Rock Inn to arrange bicycle rentals for you.
MENDOCINO LIGHT HOUSE TOURS
Whether a stop on a vigorous bike ride or a stroll from your car, don’t miss a tour of either The Point Cabrillo Light House or The Point Arena Light House. Learn how these essential beacons preserved many lives through the course of their history on the Mendocino Coast. Visit Point Cabrillo or ask our concierge to provide directions.
BY SEA
KAYAKING AND CANOEING THE MENDOCINO COAST
One of the more spectacular active days on the Mendocino coast can be found with one of our Kayak outfitters and guide companies. Bring a waterproof camera and see the coast the way the seals do. Visit Liquid Fusion Kayaking, Force 10 Ocean Kayak Tours, or Kayak Mendocino For canoeing fans, the Big River is a delightful run with dense redwood forest giving way to the mouth of the Pacific. Catach a Canoe.
WHALE WATCHING OFF THE MENDOCINO COAST
Whale watching is a popular activity for those who want to get “up close and personal” Whale watch trips All Aboard Adventures or Noyo Fishing Center.
Enjoy a cruise aboard the Rumblefish or with Captain Tim on the Sea Hawk, both out of Noyo Harbor. Just decide you want to go and let our concierge do the rest.
SPORT FISHING MENDOCINO RIVERS AND COAST
Catch a rock-cod and salmon in season or go crabbing with one of several outfitters.
Noyo Fishing Center.
MENDOCINO SURFING
While not a big wave paradise, boarders will find the beach at Van Damm State Park a good little ride. Pacific Wave Rider Sub-surface Progression supplies all your needs.
Our boutiques range from the quaint to the sophisticatedbut hurrahno chain stores anywhere in Mendocino, Little River, Albion or Elk!
For a partial list of stores visit: Mendocino Shopping
Nurseries & Gardens - Mendocino offers a variety of nurseries, for gardeners, landscapers and plant lovers of all interests, for inland and coastal locations. And don't forget the wonderful gardens and parks throughout the county, featuring nature in all its glory.Botanical Gardens, 18220 North Hwy. One, Fort Bragg, CA 707-964-4352 Hortus Botanicus, 20103 Hanson Road, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, 707-964-4786 Hare Creek Nursery, 32461 Hwy 20, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, 707-964-4648Digging Dog Nursery, P.O. Box 471G, Albion, CA 95410 707-937-1130 , Albion Ridge Nursery, 30250 Albion Ridge Road, Albion, CA 707-937-1835 Simply Succulent, 1 mile North of Fort Bragg, 1/2 mile East on Airport Rd., 707-357-1541
North Star Nursery, 17901 N. Hwy. One, Fort Bragg, 707-961-1074
2012 - 2013
January Events
Wine and Crab Days - (January 2013
Mendocino's Crab and Wine Days is rated one of America's Top 10 Seafood & Wine Festivals by Coastal Living Magazine. You'll devour the all-you-can-eat crab feeds, winemaker's dinners, wine competitions, crab cruises, cooking classes, family-style cioppino feeds and crab cake cook off and lots of seafood! Many restaurants are celebrating with specials and events throughout the county.
March Events
Mendocino Whale Festival - (March 2013)
First Saturday in March, Mendocino- Mendocino wineries bring their unique vintages for tasting to Mendocino Village shops, galleries and inns. A free trolley offers rides to the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, chowder tasting, and whale watching.
Second Saturday in March, Little River
Third Saturday in March, Fort Bragg- Along with dozens of Microbrew tastings, the areas top chefs will produce their favorite chowders. A marine mammal art exhibit and crafts fair are also part of this festival.
Annual Mendocino Coast Garden Tour (June 2012) 707-937-5818
Mendocino Film Festival (June 1-3, 2012)
Mendocino Fourth of July Parade (July) 707-961-6300
World's Largest Salmon BBQ (July 2012) 707-962-0548
Held each year in conjunction with the independence day festivities in Fort Bragg, the BBQ is a fun event with live music, the aroma of grilled salmon, family and friends.
Fort Bragg Fourth of July Fireworks (July) 707-963-1881
Mendocino Music Festival dates July 7-21, 2012 707-937-2044 Go to Sea Rock specials for 10% off tickets.
Art in the Gardens (August) 707-964-4352
Wingsong! (September) 707-961-4688
Winesong! is a celebration of wine, food, music, art and giving. The event is a grand tasting and auction that has become the primary fund-raiser for the Mendocino Coast Hospital. The auction is known for its array of fine wines, large format art bottles, weekend giveaways, special events and overnights at wineries.
Paul Bunyon Days (September, Labor Day Weekend)
Family fun! Contests include King of the Log Pillow Fight, Pie Eating Contest, Tricycle Race, Belle of the Redwoods, Blue Ox Beer Festival, Ugly Dog Contest, Craft Fair, Fire Dept. Water Fights, Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show, Logging Show and Parade.
Fall Events
Annual Abalone Festival, (October 2012) 707-937-4700
Thanksgiving Fair at Mendocino Art Center (November) 707-937-5818
Wine and Mushroom Festival (November)
Mendocino County is home to more than 3,000 different mushroom varieties. With mushroom dinners, wine and beer pairing workshops, cooking classes, musical performances, exhibits, guided mushroom foraging, there is something for everyone during this magical season of mushrooms.
Winter Events
Candlelight Inn Tour (December) 707-964-1228