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Visiting Mendocino

When you live in the Bay Area, you're often presented with the vision of the weekend in Mendocino.

Often portrayed as the epitome of the "romantic weekend", does it live up to expectations?  Well, it can - if you plan it correctly.

The Drive

First, let's tackle the drive.  Mendocino (locals call in Mendo) is not a quick pop up the coast.  Even if you plan to take the most direct route there, and you don't encounter any traffic, expect a 3 to 6 hour car ride.  The most direct route is inland, up Hwy 101, then on to Rte 128.  Now, some people will suggest taking Hwy 1 from the Bay Area, which is fine, if you don't mind a long drive, a windy drive, and, potentially, a car sick partner.  The Hwy 1 drive is spectacularly beautiful, however.  If you have the luxury of time, and can drive it during the day, Hwy 1 is a great option.  A good compromise might be to pick up Hwy 1 in Jenner, after a drive through the Russian River Valley on Rte. 116.

Things to do

Mendocino is incredibly laid back.  You don't go there for nightlife, you go there to chill out.  Plan for long walks along the beach, strolling through its downtown and browsing cute stores.  Maybe a trip to a nearby winery.  Mendocino has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world; the coast and the forests there are magical.  A fun thing to do is to stroll along the headlands and marvel at the ocean.  A good trail is just north of town at the Jug Handle State Reserve: you'll start at the bluffs, then down along a beach, then into the woods.  It is a 2.5 mile trail that ends in a pygmy forest, which is pretty cool.

South of Mendocino is the Big River State Park, which as a nice trail along the river.  There's a business there - Catch a Canoe - which offers kayak tours along the river.  You can contact them at (707) 937-0273 or www.catchacanoe.com.  The river rides will offer you great views of bald eagles and other spectacular birds and trees.

Speaking of trees, in Mendocino, you'll be in Redwoods country, some of tallest and oldest trees in the world.  Check out the Hendy Woods State Park off Route 128 on your way into or out of Mendocino.  It has a large number of really beautiful, impressive, old growth redwoods.

MacCallum House owns and operates Mendo Wine Tours – a stretch limousine and two Lincoln town cars – to take guests on daylong tours of the region’s outstanding boutique vineyards and wineries or to provide private transportation as needed.



Where to eat

Mendo has some really great restaurants.  Take your time, enjoy the service and the food.  The real standout among Mendo restaurants is La Petite Rive.  It sits right on the coast and has outstanding views of the ocean.  The only have two seatings, at 5:30 and 8 PM, so try to pick the one that will allow you to enjoy the sunset.  For $25 - $35, you'll get a 5 course meal with some excellent menu choices. Reservations are a MUST because the place only has 7 tables, so book one early by calling (707) 937-4945 or click here to visit their website.

Another great restaurant is the Moosse Cafe, part of The Blue Heron Inn.  Great food here:  their North Coast cuisine uses organic produce, fresh fish, seafood, meats and poultry. Their daily soups and decadent desserts are all homemade. You'll pay about $60 per person here for dinner.  Call (707) 937 - 4323 for reservations or click here to check out their website.



Where to stay

Expensive

When you think of Mendocino, you think of Bed and Breakfasts.  We're not big fans of B&B's - can't stand small talk in the morning. But a great breakfast - can't say no to that.  A very popular destination is Maccallum House.

MacCallum House is a collection of world-class properties located near downtown Mendocino. The Main Property, home of the elegant MacCallum House Inn, is private and secluded, set on two beautifully landscaped acres of vibrant gardens; it was built in 1882 by town founder William Kelley as a wedding gift to his daughter Daisy on her marriage to local entrepreneur Alexander MacCallum. It has an excellent restaurant, The Gray Whale Bar & Cafe, too.  A short walk from the main property, you will find the MacCallum Suites, a luxury mansion on the highest hill in Mendocino overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The collection also includes the historic Mendocino Village Inn, another stately 1882 mansion set on Main Street. They can find you a vacation rental, too, if that's more interesting for you. Their rooms feature generous amenities complimented by hallmark service.

On a budget

The Blue Heron Inn, mentioned above, has a couple of rooms that go for a relatively inexpensive price.  Call them at 707 937-4323 to get the latest prices and deals.