Make your vacation to the Mendocino Coast Extraordinary
Favorite Restaurants
Excellent choices abound but here are some of my favorites. Reservations for dinner are required and well in advance on the weekends.
A destination restaurant in Albion within walking distance (across the highway) from the studio with incredible food, outstanding service and unbelievable views.
30 locals recommend
Ledford House
3000 CA-1A destination restaurant in Albion within walking distance (across the highway) from the studio with incredible food, outstanding service and unbelievable views.
Just across the historic Albion River Inn, this restaurant and full bar offers wonderful food and breathtaking views of the Pacific.
Albion River Inn Restaurant
3790 CA-1Just across the historic Albion River Inn, this restaurant and full bar offers wonderful food and breathtaking views of the Pacific.
A historic Inn and Gold Course with the bar being a local favorite and the food is prepared with great attention to detail with local fresh ingrediants.
14 locals recommend
Little River Inn Restaurant
7901 CA-1A historic Inn and Gold Course with the bar being a local favorite and the food is prepared with great attention to detail with local fresh ingrediants.
Having made their garden into outdoor dining spaces combined with fresh ingredients and an innovative menu, Trillium has become a sought after spot. When reservations are not possible, one of their picnic boxes carried out on the Headlands may be just the ticket.
33 locals recommend
Trillium Cafe & Inn
10390 Kasten StHaving made their garden into outdoor dining spaces combined with fresh ingredients and an innovative menu, Trillium has become a sought after spot. When reservations are not possible, one of their picnic boxes carried out on the Headlands may be just the ticket.
A local favorite for the wonderful bar to meet and greet your friends to the special occasion dinner, the Mac House never fails to deliver an excellent time and dinner.
7 locals recommend
MacCallum House
45020 Albion StA local favorite for the wonderful bar to meet and greet your friends to the special occasion dinner, the Mac House never fails to deliver an excellent time and dinner.
From coffee and pastries in the morning to pizza for lunch in the garden to an elegant dinner experience the Beaujolais is always a popular choice.
58 locals recommend
Cafe Beaujolais
961 Ukiah StFrom coffee and pastries in the morning to pizza for lunch in the garden to an elegant dinner experience the Beaujolais is always a popular choice.
A destination in Fort Bragg for harbor views and outstanding food. Although many excellent restaurants in Fort Bragg, this one stands out from the rest.
14 locals recommend
Noyo Harbor Inn
500 Casa Del NoyoA destination in Fort Bragg for harbor views and outstanding food. Although many excellent restaurants in Fort Bragg, this one stands out from the rest.
The best fish and chips........anywhere. Outdoor seating on the harbor and the best lunch.
7 locals recommend
Noyo Fish Company
32440 N Harbor DrThe best fish and chips........anywhere. Outdoor seating on the harbor and the best lunch.
Neighborhoods
The Anderson Valley Wine region begins east of Boonville and goes west through Philo toward the Pacific. An afternoon to the Anderson Valley to taste bubbles and incredible pinot noir is wonderful (also, to warm up) but know that most wineries are requiring reservations. Some favorites are Roederer, Domaine Anderson, Toulouse, Philips Hill, Foursight and Lichen. But I have not had a pinot I did not like……………..and it is hard to go wrong with a flight of Roederer or Scharffenberger sparkling on a warm afternoon. Taking a picnic is fun as they all have wonderful garden seating. It can be 60’ when you leave the coast and 90’ in the Anderson Valley. The drive through the Navarro Redwoods makes the entire trip a treat.
6 locals recommend
Boonville
The Anderson Valley Wine region begins east of Boonville and goes west through Philo toward the Pacific. An afternoon to the Anderson Valley to taste bubbles and incredible pinot noir is wonderful (also, to warm up) but know that most wineries are requiring reservations. Some favorites are Roederer, Domaine Anderson, Toulouse, Philips Hill, Foursight and Lichen. But I have not had a pinot I did not like……………..and it is hard to go wrong with a flight of Roederer or Scharffenberger sparkling on a warm afternoon. Taking a picnic is fun as they all have wonderful garden seating. It can be 60’ when you leave the coast and 90’ in the Anderson Valley. The drive through the Navarro Redwoods makes the entire trip a treat.
The Noyo Harbor District is an area of Fort Bragg that is coming alive. Take North Harbor Drive to numerous restaurants, music, seafood, whale watching and charter trips, kayaking.
Noyo
The Noyo Harbor District is an area of Fort Bragg that is coming alive. Take North Harbor Drive to numerous restaurants, music, seafood, whale watching and charter trips, kayaking.
The village of Mendocino, its festivals, museums, art galleries and shops are a must visit before hiking on the Headlands. The Kelley and tour and the Ford House offer insights into this historic town. Favorites are Out of this World, Gallery Books, Lansing Street Gallery, Prentice Gallery and Highlight.
75 locals recommend
Mendocino
The village of Mendocino, its festivals, museums, art galleries and shops are a must visit before hiking on the Headlands. The Kelley and tour and the Ford House offer insights into this historic town. Favorites are Out of this World, Gallery Books, Lansing Street Gallery, Prentice Gallery and Highlight.
Things to do
From hiking to horseback riding. Riding the Rails to kayaking.
A trip south to B. Bryan Animal Preserve is a worthwhile excursion. Driving through the open fields, the preserve is committed to the breeding of African hoof stock.
44 locals recommend
B Bryan Preserve
130 Riverside DrA trip south to B. Bryan Animal Preserve is a worthwhile excursion. Driving through the open fields, the preserve is committed to the breeding of African hoof stock.
The Botanical Gardens has species that have flourished in the unique climate of the coast. From groomed to wild grasses near the Pacific, the walk is a great addition to any trip.
66 locals recommend
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
18220 CA-1The Botanical Gardens has species that have flourished in the unique climate of the coast. From groomed to wild grasses near the Pacific, the walk is a great addition to any trip.
In addition to 2 to 8 people outrigger canoes, Catch a Canoe has kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles to explore Big River. For ocean going kayaking tours, kayakmendocino.com. Wild life, beauty and peaceful quiet await the adventuous.
27 locals recommend
Catch a Canoe & Bicycles, Too!
10051 S Big River RdIn addition to 2 to 8 people outrigger canoes, Catch a Canoe has kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles to explore Big River. For ocean going kayaking tours, kayakmendocino.com. Wild life, beauty and peaceful quiet await the adventuous.
Have you ever dreamed of riding along the beaches of the Pacific Ocean? Or a trail ride through the redwoods? This will fulfill your dreams.
12 locals recommend
Ricochet Ridge Ranch
24201 CA-1Have you ever dreamed of riding along the beaches of the Pacific Ocean? Or a trail ride through the redwoods? This will fulfill your dreams.
Riding the rails or the historic Skunk Train to a concert or film in the Redwoods, the Skunk Train offers different options.
65 locals recommend
Skunk Train
100 W Laurel StRiding the rails or the historic Skunk Train to a concert or film in the Redwoods, the Skunk Train offers different options.
Always worth the trip, but once a year you might be lucky on their anniversary to get a trip to the top of the tower.
28 locals recommend
Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park
13800 Point Cabrillo DrAlways worth the trip, but once a year you might be lucky on their anniversary to get a trip to the top of the tower.
Hikes and Beaches
Miles of bike and hiking trails are throughout the area offer a diverse selection and beaches are scattered between the cliffs.
From the Headlands to the Waterfall through the rhododendrons in the spring, hikes through this park never disappoint.
51 locals recommend
Russian Gulch State Park
California 1From the Headlands to the Waterfall through the rhododendrons in the spring, hikes through this park never disappoint.
A broad sandy beach popular for late night bonfires.
33 locals recommend
Big River Beach at Mendocino Headlands State Park
A broad sandy beach popular for late night bonfires.
City advice
Getting around
A car is a must
Uber and taxis do not exist at the Coast. And make sure to get gas in Cloverdale or Fort Bragg as the stations in between are between pricey and jaw dropping (in Mendocino) expensive
What to pack
Low heel shoes, a puffer and layers
The weather at the immediate coast tends to be chilly but a short trip inland (even just a mile or less) can have a dramatic increase in temperature. And even in the village of Mendocino, I would only advise low heel, comfortable shoes as sidewalks are scarce and not always even.
Book before you go
Dinner reservations, Botanical Gardens, Kayak & Canoes
The Coast has experienced "reservations required" in many venues especially on the weekends. If there is a special activity you want to do or that incredible restaurant you want to try, we recommend making reservations long in advance. This may include the Botanical Gardens, kayaking, Riding the Rails (on the Skunk Train line), B. Bryan Preserve and other popular activities. All dinner restaurants are booked in advance.
Don't miss
The village of Mendocino is a must
The historic village, it's Art Center and galleries and Second Saturday Art Walk with wonderful shops makes the stroll wonderful. Add in the Ford House Museum (logging history) and the Kelley House Historic Tour explain the architecture and the history of all of the water towers. And a stroll on the Headlands in part or from Big River Beach to the north side with a view of Point Cabrillo light house a good but rewarding walk.