REDWOODS & VINEYARDS

Anyone who has driven along the California coastline knows how beautiful the scenery is. The warm, sunny beaches of Southern California, the dramatic bluffs of Big Sur, and the impressive rocky coastline in Marin County north of San Francisco have been some of our favorite coastal scenes.

However, a recent visit to the Mendocino area revealed some of the state’s wild and scenic coastal beauty. Throw in the many wondrous groves of old-growth redwoods and the liquid assets of the bucolic Anderson Valley, and you will agree that the 3-hour drive from San Francisco was well worth it.

CLASSIC INNS
The Little River Inn is one of the oldest lodgings on this beautiful stretch of coastline. It faces the setting sun and offers incredible ocean views. The centerpiece of the property is a stately Victorian building surrounded by lush gardens. Many of the sixty-five 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--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. Info:littleriverinn.com 

Brewery Gulch Inn Another excellent choice for a stay in Mendocino is the Brewery Gulch Inn. Combining history with contemporary comforts, the 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 and serves as a perfect spot for gathering for 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 to choose their dining location – the Great Room, the back deck, or in front of the fireplace- in the privacy of their room. The pan-roasted Pacific Rock Cod and Thai-style Chicken Curry are 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 massages and yoga sessions. Info: brewerygulchinn.com 

INVIGORATING ACTIVITIES
A visit to the Mendocino area begs for 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 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, SUPs, and bicycles, and its specialty is 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, take the 7-mile Redwood Route on a Skunk Train railbike.

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens are a must for any horticulture enthusiast. Located on forty-seven acres from California Highway 1 to the Pacific Ocean, this magnificent site includes manicured gardens, canyons, coastal bluffs, and wetlands. 

WINE COUNTRY
Everyone knows that California is a 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 along Route 128, “the Wine Road to the Mendocino Coast,” is Lula Cellars, a boutique winery in the revered “Deep End” of Anderson Valley. We especially enjoyed their handcrafted Pinot Noir wines.  

For more information on Mendocino County, go to visitmendocinco.com