Rick's Guidebook
Sightseeing
If you’re looking for fresh seafood, this is definitely the place to go. There are many great little restaurants along the wharf here. My favorite is called Princess seafood. The Princess is also the name of the boat which is owned and operated by a crew of women. They go out and catch crab, halibut, cod and many other delicacies. It’s my favorite place to savor a plate of oysters and cold beer. They also have their own seafood market along Harbor Drive.
If you want to just sit out on the wharf and have a burger and a beer you can’t go wrong at Sea Pal.
If you’re looking for more fine dining try Silver’s at the wharf they’re situated up on the second floor with a great view of the river as it heads out to the Pacific. From here you can watch all the local fishing boats going out and coming back in and maybe catch a family of river otters playing in the river.
Noyo River Inn sits at the top of Harbor Drive on a point overlooking the harbor across the river. This place will be a great choice for that special evening dinner where they’ve got great steaks and seafood to choose from. It can be a bit pricey depending on what you order, but it’s worth it!
19 locals recommend
Noyo Harbor District
19101 S Harbor DrIf you’re looking for fresh seafood, this is definitely the place to go. There are many great little restaurants along the wharf here. My favorite is called Princess seafood. The Princess is also the name of the boat which is owned and operated by a crew of women. They go out and catch crab, halibut, cod and many other delicacies. It’s my favorite place to savor a plate of oysters and cold beer. They also have their own seafood market along Harbor Drive.
If you want to just sit out on the wharf and have a burger and a beer you can’t go wrong at Sea Pal.
If you’re looking for more fine dining try Silver’s at the wharf they’re situated up on the second floor with a great view of the river as it heads out to the Pacific. From here you can watch all the local fishing boats going out and coming back in and maybe catch a family of river otters playing in the river.
Noyo River Inn sits at the top of Harbor Drive on a point overlooking the harbor across the river. This place will be a great choice for that special evening dinner where they’ve got great steaks and seafood to choose from. It can be a bit pricey depending on what you order, but it’s worth it!
This gorgeous state park is one of the most beautiful in the area. It’s about 20 minutes from here heading north through town. It features a nice long boardwalk out to laguna point where you’ll see sea lions, seals and whales just off shore. It has a great picnic area, and hiking trail around little lake Cleone. It’s also the most popular camping state park here…for good reason.
51 locals recommend
MacKerricher State Park
24100 Mackerricher Park RdThis gorgeous state park is one of the most beautiful in the area. It’s about 20 minutes from here heading north through town. It features a nice long boardwalk out to laguna point where you’ll see sea lions, seals and whales just off shore. It has a great picnic area, and hiking trail around little lake Cleone. It’s also the most popular camping state park here…for good reason.
Big river is one of my favorites to hike. There’s an old logging road that hugs the river where you might see any number of birds including eagles and Osprey fishing in the river. I love this hike because it is not only picturesque but not as well used as others. The trail hugs the river for more than 8 miles. You can rent a kayak there and paddle your way up river for miles.
33 locals recommend
Big River Beach at Mendocino Headlands State Park
Big river is one of my favorites to hike. There’s an old logging road that hugs the river where you might see any number of birds including eagles and Osprey fishing in the river. I love this hike because it is not only picturesque but not as well used as others. The trail hugs the river for more than 8 miles. You can rent a kayak there and paddle your way up river for miles.
Jug Handle state park is perfect for a short stroll out on to the headlands from the parking lot. It has a beautiful little beach in its cove and a nice long trail that leads to the pigmy forest. It’s also only 15 minutes from my door.
Jughandle State Park - Pygmy Forrest- Trail Destination
31024 Gibney LnJug Handle state park is perfect for a short stroll out on to the headlands from the parking lot. It has a beautiful little beach in its cove and a nice long trail that leads to the pigmy forest. It’s also only 15 minutes from my door.
This state park has a great hiking trail that leads to a waterfall and a very picturesque coastal beach and cove. Great for hikes and picnics on the headland bluffs. This is a very popular site for hikers and kayaker’s.
51 locals recommend
Russian Gulch State Park
California 1This state park has a great hiking trail that leads to a waterfall and a very picturesque coastal beach and cove. Great for hikes and picnics on the headland bluffs. This is a very popular site for hikers and kayaker’s.
This old train used to run between Willits and Fort Bragg until a tunnel caved in a few years back. Now it takes tourists a few miles into the redwoods to a staging area where you can picnic and hike the trails through giant redwoods. They hold special events/concerts etc. there in the summer months. A bit pricey but interesting and a lot of fun.
65 locals recommend
Skunk Train
100 W Laurel StThis old train used to run between Willits and Fort Bragg until a tunnel caved in a few years back. Now it takes tourists a few miles into the redwoods to a staging area where you can picnic and hike the trails through giant redwoods. They hold special events/concerts etc. there in the summer months. A bit pricey but interesting and a lot of fun.
One of the north coasts best kept secrets is Pacific Star Winery. The splendor and beauty of this place is breathtaking. For all you wine lovers, this is a very unique wine experience. Pacific Star Winery is situated above dramatic cliffs, where you might see whales just off shore. Grab a bottle of wine and have a picnic right there at the edge of the ocean.
17 locals recommend
Pacific Star Winery
33000 CA-1One of the north coasts best kept secrets is Pacific Star Winery. The splendor and beauty of this place is breathtaking. For all you wine lovers, this is a very unique wine experience. Pacific Star Winery is situated above dramatic cliffs, where you might see whales just off shore. Grab a bottle of wine and have a picnic right there at the edge of the ocean.
Food scene
There are many great little restaurants here in this world famous little town on the coast. I tend to frequent Patterson’s Pub for its selection of beers on tap and scrumptious food. This isn’t your normal bar food. Sundays special has among others a crab eggs Benedict. Their Reuben sandwich is the very best I’ve ever had. You’ll want to either go for a hike after eating this or look for a sofa.
Just down the street is the Mendocino Cafe where you’ll find a cozy indoor/outdoor restaurant with an organic cuisine. You can’t go wrong in this place.
There’s probably a dozen more each with it’s own special flare. Go visit the town and see for yourself. It’s a great place to stroll through town shopping in its quaint little stores.
75 locals recommend
Mendocino
There are many great little restaurants here in this world famous little town on the coast. I tend to frequent Patterson’s Pub for its selection of beers on tap and scrumptious food. This isn’t your normal bar food. Sundays special has among others a crab eggs Benedict. Their Reuben sandwich is the very best I’ve ever had. You’ll want to either go for a hike after eating this or look for a sofa.
Just down the street is the Mendocino Cafe where you’ll find a cozy indoor/outdoor restaurant with an organic cuisine. You can’t go wrong in this place.
There’s probably a dozen more each with it’s own special flare. Go visit the town and see for yourself. It’s a great place to stroll through town shopping in its quaint little stores.
Princess seafood restaurant has an ideal location right at the mouth of the Noyo River. You can watch all the boats going out and coming right from your table. They have great beers on tap and live entertainment on weekends.
34 locals recommend
Princess Seafood Market & Deli
32410 N Harbor DrPrincess seafood restaurant has an ideal location right at the mouth of the Noyo River. You can watch all the boats going out and coming right from your table. They have great beers on tap and live entertainment on weekends.
Shopping Center.
Located 2 miles from my place on the corner of Hwy20 and Hwy1, right past the harbor. Here you’ll find Harvest market, best grocery store in town, Davids Deli, a great place for breakfast and lunch, Vinnies Pizza and Pappa Murphy’s take and bake.
The Boatyard Shopping Center
Boatyard Drive