Mendocino Visitors Guide '12 by Ivy & Ink

John Birchard photography

2011/2012 Official Visitors Guide for Mendocino County

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2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

VisitMendocino.com

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

PhOtO: rita Crane PhOtOGraPhy

elcome to our 2011/2012 Visitors Guide! On behalf of Mendocino County, i would like to personally thank you for taking an interest in our beautiful and diverse area.

We invite you to come see what we’re all about, to come stay with us if you haven’t already, or to come back and visit us for a second (or third, or fourth) time. nature, food, wine, beer, adventure, shopping, relaxation and more are all here—and we’re committed to preserving that friendly, uncomplicated and authentic spirit Mendocino County is known for. For assistance during your stay stop by one of our visitor centers throughout the county (pg. 81) where you can pick up maps, brochures, guides and get information on local events. enjoy the California of your dreams and let us know if we can help guide the way!

Scott Schneider President & CeO, Visit Mendocino County

Mendocino County

Bounty of the County

there’s a time in every visit to Mendocino County when you’re reminded just why you’ve come here.

to truly experience Mendocino, you don’t just come here and go sightseeing. you’ve got to taste the county too.

Whether you prefer to drive down the county’s famous winding roads or want a clear plan in place to visit a few wineries, this map will lead you.

the county’s five regions all offer their own distinctive selection of shopping, dining, and lodging choices.

Wine Country Map

Mendocino Regions

VisitMendocino.com

Visit MendOCinO COunty, inC. 120 South Franklin Street Fort Bragg, Ca 95437 v. 707.964.9010 | f. 707.703.4275 1.866.GoMendo | VisitMendocino.com PreSident & CeO scott schneider direCtOr OF MarketinG Betsy Wildberger direCtOr OF tOuriSM deVelOPMent Richard strom OPeratiOnS ManaGer erin Placido adMiniStratiVe aSSiStant susan Peakall eVent COOrdinatOr Alison de Grassi PuBliC relatiOnS HypeHouse, inc.

1316 third Street Promenade, B2 Santa Monica, Ca 90401 v. 310.394.3413 | f. 310.394.3414 strikerMedia.com For advertising information: 800.578.5013 | sales@strikerMedia.com PuBliSher Lyndell F. Gooch art direCtOr ivy Brown GraPhiC deSiGnerS Bill Booty, Chad Rooney, dani Lemus editOr/Writer Matt Jaffe PhOtO editOr John Birchard direCtOr OF OPeratiOnS Christine thomas adVertiSinG SaleS Matthew Gibbons Gayle Greenberg all photography by John Birchard unless otherwise noted. Printed in the uSa On reCyCled PaPer

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

PhOtO: rita Crane PhOtOGraPhy

Spend time in Mendocino and you soon realize that the arts and culture are as much a part of the county’s identity as its inspiring landscapes.

Mendocino County’s natural beauty will tempt you to get outdoors and get active. Just try to resist our waves and wilderness.

the county is filled with attractions and activities that will keep families busy and happy for days.

The Creative County

The Outdoors

Weddings & Events

Getting Here

Mendocino County is a destination where visitors come to get away from it all, but it’s also a place where many gather to celebrate special events.

explore the different ways to navigate Mendocino County.

Fun for the Family

VisitMendocino.com

Montgomery Woods State Park 8

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

MEndOCinO COunty

Mendocino County there’s a time in every visit to Mendocino County when you’re reminded just why you’ve come here.

aybe it’s that first look down at the vineyards and rolling hills of the wine country. Or a deep breath to take in the fragrance of a redwood forest. It could be a glimpse of Point Arena Lighthouse emerging from the fog or the view of the Village of Mendocino from across the bay at dawn. But at some point, you’ll feel it in your bones. A sense that you’ve left the daily grind behind and truly found the escape you’ve been longing for. And no matter where it happens in Mendocino County, the feeling is the same. In that instant, there’s no place in the world you’d rather be. Call it a Mendocino moment.

Mendocino moments are as varied as the county itself. With its unrivaled wine regions, iconic redwoods, quiet mountain towns, and picture-perfect oceanfront villages, Mendocino lets you experience the bounty and diversity that visitors most love about California. You could search the world for a lifetime and never find a more beautiful place than Mendocino County. Country roads wind through the county, passing vineyards, farms, and orchards that carpet the valleys and climb into the rolling hills. California Highway 1 edges above the booming waves that crash into rocky coves as it tight-ropes along a coastline that is of endless inspira-

tion to the many artists, writers, and photographers who call Mendocino home. Mendocino sometimes feels like a throwback to a simpler time. This is large and beautiful, undeveloped country that lets you find a solitude and tranquility that’s increasingly rare in today’s world. Lots of visitors, including many celebrities, return to Mendocino again and again simply to escape, unwind, and recharge. Mendocino is also a destination where you can be on the go all day long. Athletes and lovers of the outdoors come here to explore nature and challenge themselves on hikes, kayak outings, and memorable bicycle rides.

VisitMendocino.com

Mendocino County

Then, after all that exercise, nothing beats a bit of pampering. Long weekends at memorable inns and bed-and-breakfasts, especially combined with visits to Mendocino’s many spas, will take the edge off any 60-mile bike ride—or your latest 60hour work week. Foodies come to Mendocino to savor the abundance of an incomparable land: acclaimed wines, craft-brewed beers, and celebrated dining inspired by and prepared with locally grown ingredients. In Mendocino County, farm-to-table isn’t a trend but a tradition. So too is sustainability. While lots of places have recently embraced the green label, Mendocino is a longtime leader in sustainability and environmental protection. In 2004, Mendocino became the first county in the United States to ban GMOs. That means that nothing produced here—no wine, no fruit, no vegetables, no livestock—contains or uses any genetically modified organisms or material. An area this vast and varied pays greater rewards the longer you stay. One day is simply not enough. Three days will give you a taste. And five days will make you realize that you need even more time here. You’ll be inspired to return. Because there’s no shortage of those Mendocino moments.

Getting Oriented

Mendocino County’s focus on sustainability is also evident. In Hopland, the Solar Living Center draws worldwide audiences for its workshops on energy and sustainable living. Parducci Wine Cellars, the first carbon-neutral winery in the United States, helps make Mendocino the nation’s greenest wine region. And in Ukiah the Ukiah Brewing Company was the second restaurant ever certified organic in the U.S.—and the first brewpub to earn that designation.

The first thing to know about Mendocino is that it’s big. Really big. Larger than the District of Columbia, Rhode Island, and Delaware combined. Covering nearly 4,000 square miles, Mendocino County encompasses remarkably varied terrain: dramatic ocean bluffs, snow-capped mountain peaks, and sun-warmed inland valleys. To make Mendocino County more navigable, we’ve divided the county into five distinct regions. For a helpful and detailed resource, check out the map at the back of this guide, which includes destinations, driving charts, and other trip planning tools.

Anderson Valley Anderson Valley is renowned for its wineries, its casual elegance, and its sometimes eccentric ways. After all how many valleys have their own folk language? Boontling, a local dialect, has been spoken here for more than a century.

Upper Russian River Valleys

A primary gateway to Mendocino and the heart of the county’s wine country, Anderson Valley is home to dozens of family-owned wineries and tasting rooms. Anderson Valley offers a relaxed tasting experience and outstanding wines that invariably cause visitors to liken the area to the Napa Valley of a generation ago.

Separated by jagged ridges and towering mountain peaks, the Upper Russian River Valleys serve as one of the main gateways to the county. These fertile valleys are home to many of Mendocino’s intimate, family-owned and operated wineries. Orderly rows of vineyards run along the valley floor then accentuate the contours of the landscape as they roll up onto the low hills.

Wineries are concentrated along a 35mile stretch of road dotted with farm stands and charming small towns. The region’s towns include Yorkville, Philo, Navarro, and Boonville. Celebrated in a recent New York Times article, Boonville has emerged as one of Mendocino County’s leading culinary destinations thanks to its dining, wineries, and the solar powered Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

Anderson Valley 10

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

PhOtO: rita Crane PhOtOGraPhy

South Coast The untamed South Coast stretches north from the county line to the Navarro River. The most prominent stops are the towns of Gualala and Point Arena to the south and Elk to the north. What draws visitors to Mendocino’s South Coast? It’s the balmy salt air and waves crashing into sea stacks just offshore. It’s also the anticipation that around the next bend of California Highway 1 another incomparable view awaits that you may just remember forever.

Mendocino County

Hiking in Upper Russian River Valley

The region’s coves and sandy beaches draw surf fishers, scuba divers, kayakers, surfers, and tidepoolers. Wildlife lovers will find world-class whalewatching as well as the geographically and biologically incongruous B. Bryan Preserve. It’s dedicated to breeding and preserving endangered African hoofed animals. The South Coast’s villages are as picturesque as the landscape itself, with an authentic character that you don’t easily find anymore. You’ll enjoy stays at historic inns and B&Bs and browsing art galleries. The Gualala Arts Center is a cultural gem: a redwood-shaded community facility with galleries, performance space, and workshops.

North Coast Elle magazine called this county region, “the most romantic place on the coast.” It’s no wonder. Atop rugged cliffs overlooking the Pacific, the Village of Mendocino and Fort Bragg combine small-town charm with casual sophistication—fine dining, excellent wines, outstanding artisan beers, and quality shopping.

Skim boarding on the North Coast

Pamper yourself with a stay at a luxurious inn or B&B and a memorable dinner at a landmark restaurant. You’ll also find galleries and boutiques that may just tempt you to come home with a keepsake that captures the independent and creative spirit of this Mendocino County region. Beyond its towns, the North Coast offers natural escapes and virtually infinite recreational opportunities. The North Coast is a place to reconnect with nature along coastal bluffs dappled with wildflowers. Or to escape into the meditative silence and inspiring grandeur of redwood forests. Numerous state parks let you explore lush coastal forests and hike to waterfalls. The North Coast is also the gateway to California’s wild “Lost Coast,” where experienced hikers, seasoned backpackers, and wilderness campers find solitude in a pristine land.

North County Covering about one-third of the county’s territory, this is the northernmost of Mendocino’s regions and where you’ll find the magnificent Redwoods.

Driving between North County’s many attractions, you’ll travel through inspiring and unforgettable landscapes. The region’s wilderness areas provide serious adventure, including whitewater rafting on the Eel River. Willits sits at one end of the worldfamous Skunk Train line. Willits is also home to the Mendocino County Museum and the adjacent Roots of Motive Power Museum, which highlight both the area’s extensive railroad lore and local Native American culture. Other North County towns include Laytonville, Leggett, and Piercy along U.S. 101, and Dos Rios and Covelo up along the spur of California 162 high in the mountains in Round Valley (home to California’s largest Indian reservation). There’s an offbeat side to North County too. The Chandelier Tree is one of California’s world-famous drive-thru redwoods. And at Confusion Hill, an official California Point of Historical Interest, you can see an assortment of believe-itor-not oddities: water that seems to run uphill and a room where children appear larger than adults.

VisitMendocino.com

Autumn vineyard near Yorkville 12

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

BOunty OF tHE COunty

Bounty of the County to truly experience Mendocino County, immerse yourself in the sights and culture, and don’t forget, you’ve got to taste the county too.

ith its fertile valleys, fishing harbors, and a longtime commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices, Mendocino County has emerged as a leading destination for culinary travelers. The county is home to an amazing 3,000 varieties of mushrooms and Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine named November’s Wine & Mushroom Festival one of its top six food festivals. Coastal Living magazine named January’s Crab & Wine Days on its list of the country’s top ten seafood and wine festivals. Speaking of wines, the county’s 90+ wineries prove that Travel + Leisure magazine was definitely onto something when it declared ten years ago that Mendocino was one of five world wine regions “on the cusp of greatness.” Mendocino has never been about trendiness. But when it comes to culinary pursuits, the county has a way of being out in front. Long before craft beers came into vogue, Mendocino County was home to leading artisan breweries. County residents lived the locavore life even before the term existed, and you’ll find the freshest fruits and vegetables at stands around the county and at daily farmers’ markets.

America’s Greenest Wine Region Quite simply, Mendocino County produces some of the world’s most acclaimed wines.

And last year New York Times wine writer Eric Asimov lauded Anderson Valley’s Gewürztraminers by saying they were “exactly the sorts of dry, aromatic wines that would make almost anyone fall in love with this unusual, idiosyncratic grape.”

Mendocino’s reputation as a wine region grows each year. In 2008, Food & Wine magazine named two county wines to its list of “The World’s Best Pinot Noirs.”

Because sustainability plays such a big part in the Mendocino wine scene, this is the greenest wine country in the U.S. The county is home to the first certified VisitMendocino.com

Parducci Wine Cellars

Hopland Passport

wice a year, often in October and May, the quiet hamlet of hopland is transformed during this two-day celebration that includes 17 local wineries.

Many of the tasting rooms and events take place in hopland proper but there are a handful of gorgeous wineries off highway 101 and Old river road that are well worth the excursion out to their vineyards and ranches. each winery entertains you in their own special way plying you with food, music, art and of course lots of wine. think bocce ball on the lawn, barrel tasting, lively barbeques, book signings, reserve and future tastings and local color galore. the event runs from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. tickets are just $35 for the weekend and shuttle passes are available so you never need to get in your car to visit the offthe-beaten path destinations.

Frey Vineyards Family

organic winery in the country, and many Mendocino wineries rely on solar power,organic farming methods, and other earth-friendly practices.

Tastes of the Wine Country

While the number of wineries and Mendocino County’s prominence in the world of wine continues to grow, one thing hasn’t changed. Mendocino still offers a more visitor-friendly and less crowded tasting experience than other leading California wine destinations.

The hub of an active wine region, Hopland is the first town you come to in Mendocino County when you arrive via U.S. 101. Even though its population is only about 800 people, Hopland boasts more than 10 tasting rooms.

In Mendocino, most sampling is free and you’ll rarely have to wait. Best of all, you’ll often get to meet actual winery owners and winemakers. They’re the ones doing the pouring in tasting rooms, which means you’ll get to hear their stories (there are always stories!) while learning about local wines from the people who know them best.

For more information go to www.hoplandpassport.com. Pacific Star Winery 14

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

PhOtO COurteSy Frey VineyardS

PhOtO COurteSy ParduCCi Wine CellarS

Bounty of the County

Upper Russian River Valleys

For a look at all that the county’s wineries offer, Sip! Mendocino is a must stop. Sip! carries about 100 Mendocino County wines and you can sample 18 wines daily, including many from wineries without their own tasting rooms. John Fetzer’s 600-acre Saracina Vineyards includes an on-site organic farm, 300 acres of hand-tended vines, and a state-of-the-art wine cave system. Carved out of solid rock, these were the first wine caves in Mendocino County and they offer a unique setting for wine tastings. Ukiah hasn’t lost its small-town soul and the wine business definitely has a presence here too. The town is home to Parducci Wine Cellars, the world’s first carbon-neutral winery thanks to its use of biodiesel in its machinery, organic growing practices, and tree-free papers and soy inks. The organic, single vineyard varietals at Simaine Cellars are created by winemaker Victor Simon, who learned his craft from his grandfather.

Bounty of the County

North of Ukiah, Redwood Valley is a distinctive Mendocino County wine region. Just west of Potter Valley, it’s home to several wineries including Barra of Mendocino, which has an architecturally distinctive tasting room as well as gardens and a picnic area. Frey Vineyards was the first maker of certified biodynamic wines in the U.S. It’s open by appointment for tastings where you can sample organic wines made without sulfites.

Anderson Valley Surrounded by vineyards and wineries, Yorkville is a historic farming hub for the rich, fertile valley. While wine has become more prominent here, more than a dozen farms and orchards (many of them organic) still operate near town. Lovers of port should definitely stop at Meyer Family Cellars. It was founded by Justin Meyer, who served as a monk in the Christian Brothers teaching order and trained under Napa Valley winemaking legend Brother Timothy. The tasting room at Maple Creek Winery doubles as a small gallery for the art of owner/vintner Tom Rodrigues. One of the first designated organic vineyards in California, Yorkville Cellars helped establish the county’s reputation as a center for sustainable winemaking practices. About 10 miles northwest of Yorkville, Boonville is home to a handful of tasting rooms. Foursight Wines is a small family-run operation that produces high-quality wines in limited quantities. Londer Vineyards also has a downtown tasting room and is celebrated for its Pinot Noir. Philo Ridge Vineyards opened a Boonville tasting room where you can sample its handcrafted small lots of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and other select wines. Four miles northwest of Boonville, Philo is home to 11 wineries. The Lula Cellars tasting room lets you sample the winery’s limited production wines, including its Pinot Noir, in a Mediterranean courtyard. The Madrones, where Lula is located, also features tasting rooms for Bink Wines, Drew, and Berridge Wine Company.

VisitMendocino.com

Bounty of the County

Artisan Beers

endocino County helped lead the way as beer has gained a prominent place on the american gourmet scene. named to Forbes.com’s list of america’s top breweries, Mendocino Brewing Company was the first brewpub in California to open after Prohibition when its hopland Brewery debuted in 1983. the company did all of its brewing in hopland for 20 years before moving beermaking to a ukiah facility. and this year, its all-new Mendocino Brewing Ale House opened on ukiah’s airport Park Boulevard. as the second restaurant ever certified organic in the u.S. and the first brewpub to earn organic certification, Ukiah Brewing Company is truly a national pioneer. in 2010, Forbes.com named it “one of the top ten eco-bars.” Beer has a prominent place in Boonville as well, thanks to the Anderson Valley Brewing Company and its state-of-theart Bavarian-style brewhouse.

Anderson Valley is definitely Pinot Noir country and Goldeneye Winery is producing some of the very best. The winery offers a number of experiences, including estate tastings and alfresco picnic lunches with pairings of Goldeneye’s wines. Hidden away on a dirt road, Lazy Creek Vineyards’ rustic tasting room is a simple shack where you can enjoy its outstanding varietals.

Grape stomping

PhOtO COurteSy ViSit MendOCinO

Ukiah Brewing Co.

Fresh apple cider is the big draw at Gowan’s Oak Tree, a farm stand where you’ll find 60 varieties of apples and all sorts of seasonal produce, including tomatoes that one Yelp reviewer described as “sweet, glistening, delectable.” The Apple Farm is a certified organic/ biodynamic orchard that has evolved into something more. Its farm stand sells a diverse array of items, including fresh apples, pears, handmade chutneys, jams, and jellies. There are also guest accommodations and its weekend cooking school offers meals on a walk-in basis.

North County High on a ridge overlooking Round Valley, the Dos Rios AVA is where the Eel River splits into two forks. The area is home to Vin de Tevis winery, which offers tastings by appointment. Set in the river canyon, the winery specializes in reds including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

North Coast With its stone and redwood barn in an incomparable setting along the ocean bluffs, Pacific Star boasts one of the most unique settings of any California winery. In addition to its coastal location south of Westport, Pacific Star operates a tasting room at the Skunk Train Depot mall in downtown Fort Bragg. Serving only Mendocino County wines, Glendeven Inn’s Wine Bar[n] lets you enjoy tasting flights and wines by the glass, as well as local beers. You can pair the wines with artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and a chocolate soufflé (especially delectable with a port from Meyer Family Cellars).

the Beverage testing institute once named Fort Bragg’s pioneering North Coast Brewing Company one of the ten best breweries in the world. the plaudits keep coming too. the Wall Street Journal named north Coast’s Old no. 38 Stout as the top alternative to Guinness. and in 2011, the brewery won a Good Food award for its commitment to producing authentic food in a socially and environmentally conscious manner. Parducci Wine Cellars 16

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

PhOtO COurteSy ParduCCi Wine CellarS

Stop here for tours, where you can see the brewery’s massive copper brew kettles, take in beautiful valley views, and sample the diverse line-up of handcrafted beers (some of which are named in Boontling, the valley’s unique native dialect). there’s even an on-site 18-hole disc golf course.

Bounty of the County

VisitMendocino.com

Bounty of the County

48 hours in Mendocino Wine Country

endocino County is the size of the state of delaware, leaving a lot of ground to cover over a two-day visit. Whether you prefer to drive down the county’s famous winding roads or want a clear plan in place to visit a few wineries, these suggested trips will give you time to relax, take in the scenery and enjoy our local wineries, restaurants, hotels and activities. Most wineries are happy to have unexpected visitors while others suggest you call to make an appointment; no matter, expect very kind people more than willing to share all they know about the grapes, the wine, the land and life. Connecting with friendly people committed to crafting great-tasting wines of distinction is a memorable part of any visit to Mendocino wine country.

COAstAL tOuR

inLAnd tOuR

if you are staying in the town of Mendocino or the Fort Bragg area you won’t want to miss great wineries along highway 128.

the highway 101 corridor is your access point to a variety of wonderful wine destinations. We suggest staying in ukiah or nearby in any number of bed & breakfasts, colorful inns or spas.

day 1—Start your morning with a canoe ride with Catch-aCanoe and Bicycles too at the mouth of Big river. afterwards, head south to esterlina Vineyards (call for appointment), the only winery in the county’s Cole ranch appellation and savor the view of the whole valley from the top of their property while sipping wine. Sample some bubbly at the world famous roederer estate, then make your way towards Philo to experience navarro Vineyard and Phillips-hill. along the way be on the lookout for Gowan’s Oak tree where you can pick up fresh fruit grown on location and delicious apple cider, cap the day off with dinner at table 128 located at the Boonville hotel. day 2—Stay in Boonville, park your car and take a Fratty Pike! that’s Boontling for a Wine Walk. Start at Foursight and pick up a walking tour map, then have lunch at the Mosswood Market before visiting Philo-ridge, Zina-hyde Cunningham and londer Vineyards—all in downtown Boonville. Get your card stamped at each tasting and enter to win a mixed case of wine.

day 1—Start your day with a hike at Montgomery Woods off of Orr Springs road, then make a pit-stop in ukiah for picnic supplies. head to Parducci Wine Cellars for an al fresco lunch and ask for a tour of their carbon-neutral winery. Mosey down the road to Calpella to sample testa Vineyards’ Black and Whites (they also have a darling guest house). down the road, sample the famous Barra of Mendocino Organic Wines in their tasting room shaped like an upside down champagne glass. On weekdays before 5pm, Frey Vineyards is a rural oasis off tomki road in redwood Valley known as the first certified bio-dynamic winery in the u.S. (reservation required). day 2—relax in the mineral baths at Vichy Springs resort and Country inn, then indulge in a slow drive down Old river road to take in the scenery—miles of vines and old oaks. Stop at Campovida for a garden tour then head to hopland. enjoy lunch at the Bluebird Café and get ready for some serious tastings. there are a number of tasting rooms in town, including Cesar toxqui Cellars, Mcdowell and McFadden Vineyard. Feeling sporty? try a game of Bocce Ball at Brutocao while sipping their wines. if you’re headed back up to the ukiah area be sure to stop at Saracina, Jeriko and/or nelson Family Vineyards.

For more information about Mendocino County wines and wineries visit www.MendoWine.com 18

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Bounty of the County

VisitMendocino.com

Bounty of the County

Crab & Wine Days

Tastes Of The County: Fresh (& Sustainable) From The Farm With its numerous microclimates, Mendocino County is a diverse and productive agricultural region. Farmers here grow a veritable cornucopia of crops: olives, apples, pears, peaches, and all kinds of greens. There are cattle ranches that raise beef naturally, chicken farms, and even a maker of goat cheese. Many county agricultural operations welcome visitors by appointment. The Anderson Valley Foodshed Group has published Mendocino County’s Local Food Guide, which you can find online at www.mcfarm.org/2010_ Foodguide_2nd.pdf. The easiest way to find local foods (including freshly caught seafood) from Mendocino producers is at farmers’ markets around the county. For a list of markets, see page 22, or visit the Mendocino County Farmer’s Market Association website at www.mcfarm.org.

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Anderson Valley grape harvesting

Culinary Festivals

April

January

Hopland Passport: A celebration of 17 wineries in the Hopland area with barrel tastings, barbecues, and musical performances.

Crab and Wine Days: With cooking classes, all-you-can-eat crab feeds, cioppino feeds, and winemaker dinners, this leading event at locations throughout the county is a grab bag of all things crab.

February A Taste of Redwood Valley: This threeevent festival begins with a wine and chocolate celebration in February. Then there’s a Father’s Day dinner and tasting weekend in June and a wine sale and artisan faire the weekend before Thanksgiving (see page 21). International Alsace Varietals Festival: Celebrate Alsace varietals with tastings of wines both from the Anderson Valley and around the world. The event features live music and winemaker dinners (see page 23).

May Boonville Beer Festival: Anderson Valley Brewing Co. hosts this event, which draws thousands of beer lovers for live music and tastings from breweries from all over the west. Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival: Tastings, winemaker dinners, and winery open houses celebrate one of the valley’s leading varietals.

July World’s Largest Salmon Barbecue: Held the first Saturday in July, the event draws thousands for delectable salmon, live music, and fireworks. It’s a major fundraiser for the Salmon Restoration Association, which is dedicated to improving and protecting wild salmon runs in Northern California.

PhOtO COurteSy Frey VineyardS

Bounty of the County

Frey Vineyards wine tasting

A taste of Redwood Valley

ince most of redwood Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wineries are too small to keep regular tasting room hours, three annual events provide a rare opportunity to taste wines from the wineries that call redwood Valley home.

tucked away in the most northern part of the Mendocino County grape growing region lies a unique appellation, distinguished from others by its geographical elements and weather patterns, but most importantly by the people who farm grapes and make wine in this micro-region. Catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse of small producers doing what they love mostâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;sharing refined and complex Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Barbera and Petite Sirah with friends, old and new. events typically take place in February, June and november. For more details visit www.atasteofredwoodvalley.com.

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Wine tasting in Mendocino County

Weekly Market Schedule Mendocino Farmers’ Market

August

October

Laytonville: Mondays, 2:30-5:30, June-October. At Good Food Store on Highway 101.

Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival: Tastings of local wines, lamb and boar barbecues, and grape stomps are among the highlights of an event that salutes this small appellation.

Abalone Cook-Off & Festival: Taste the creations of leading chefs as they compete in Noyo Harbor to prepare the most delectable dish using this wild seafood delicacy.

Ukiah: Tuesdays, 4-7, June through October 25; Saturdays, 8:30-12, May through October; 9:30-12, November through April. At Alex Thomas Plaza at School and Clay streets.

November

Fort Bragg: Wednesdays 3-6, May through October. In front of City Hall, 400 block of North Franklin St.

Pure Mendocino: A celebration in the Ukiah area of the county’s organic farmers and food producers, the event features a family-style farm-to-table dinner and farm tours among its activities.

September Harbor & Seafood Festival: The local fishing community and lovers of the coast come together on the pier in Point Arena for oysters, chowder, and other delicacies.

Mendocino Wine & Mushroom Festival: Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine named this event one of its top six food festivals. Mushroom and wine pairings, a special mushroom-and-wine themed Skunk Train ride, and even a mushroom kayak paddle are part of the countywide event.

Boonville: Saturdays, 9:30-12, May through October. Outside the Boonville Hotel.

Mushroom picking near Fort Bragg 2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Village of Mendocino: Fridays, 12-2, May through October. At Howard and Main streets. Gualala: Saturdays, 9:30-12:30, May through November. At Gualala Community Center.

Winesong!: “A feast for the senses” with wine auctions, Pinot Noir barrel tastings, and other events. Held at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

Willits: Thursdays, 3-6. May through October at City Park; November through April indoors at Little Lake Grange, 291 School St.

Redwood Valley: Sundays, 9:30-12:30, June through October. At Lions Club Park, 8920 East Rd.

PhOtO: rita Crane PhOtOGraPhy

Bounty of the County

PhOtO: rita Crane PhOtOGraPhy

Bounty of the County

international Alsace Varietals Festival

n February 18, 2012 the beautifully lush and scenic anderson Valley hosts a weekend celebration of alsace Varietals and everyone is invited to taste wines from around the globe. Wineries from France, Germany and new Zealand pour samples alongside wineries from Michigan, new york, Oregon, California and of course, anderson Valley. live music, local cheeses and alsatian style treats make this event an annual favorite for many wine lovers. Other affiliated events include a technical conference, Grand tasting, Saturday evening winemakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dinner at a local winery and winery open houses throughout the valley on Sunday. Purchase tickets for just $60 at www.avwines.com/alsace-festival.

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REGiOns OF MEndOCinO COunty

Regions of Mendocino County Mendocino County’s five distinct regions offer their own unique experiences. you will yearn to devote more than one visit to each.

his may be one county but as you travel between the regions, you’ll discover not only the common threads that link different areas of Mendocino, but also unique local cultures.

Upper Russian River Valleys Wine country sophistication and a casual, small-town atmosphere find a harmonious balance in the towns of this Mendocino County region.

Bluebird Café a popular stop for travelers along U.S. 101. If you’ve ever fantasized about having your own vineyard, the estate house on the 180-acre Jeriko Estate property will give you a taste of the enviable wine country lifestyle.

Hopland

Ukiah

Real Goods on the grounds of the Solar Living Institute dubs itself “the world’s greatest environmental store,” and it’s certainly a great spot to find sustainable goods for the home and garden, as well as organic clothing and healthy body care products. Hopland has a charming selection of antique shops, including Bravo Barb’s, which carries new, used, and consignment goods, and everything from statuary to furniture.

Thanks to tree-shaded streets, an inviting downtown, and a vibrant cultural life, Ukiah was once named California’s best small town—and the sixth best in the entire country. Sunset magazine recently hailed Ukiah for its “19th-century architecture, charming tree-lined neighborhoods, and a laid-back vibe.”

Homemade pies and an innovative and diverse burger line-up—including buffalo and wild boar—have made The

While much of Ukiah features Victorian architecture, walk its historic downtown to see vintage brick construction. You’ll notice faded painted advertisements touting White Owl Cigars for five cents and long-gone businesses like The Toggery. VisitMendocino.com

Ukiah Brewing Company

Dining

Shopping

The historic brick façade at Oco Time belies the blonde hardwood flooring and contemporary design of the dining room, where you can savor sushi and variations of its signature egg and noodle dish—the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki.

Ukiah may be small but it’s open-minded and big enough in spirit for a wide variety of businesses. MacNab’s Menswear is a family-owned, third-generation shop where service is still an art form and shelves are full of everything a man could possibly wear.

Located in a onetime grocery and with brick walls and beautiful wood tables washed by soft ambient lighting, Patrona Restaurant and Lounge lets you enjoy its seasonal, Mendocino locavore-style California cuisine in a distinctive setting. It hosts special dining events including Taco Tuesdays, Community Meals on Wednesday, and winemaker dinners. It’s no wonder that Zagat described Patrona as “the most happening place” in downtown Ukiah. The contemporary atmosphere at North State Café brings a touch of urban sophistication to Ukiah’s historic downtown. Local wines, homemade desserts, and creative entrees are always on the menu. For casual lunches, Schat’s Bakery & Café makes its breads, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and soups from scratch daily. Hand-baked goods, an Irish-style pub, and signature steaks have made Branches Wood Fired Chop House a popular Ukiah spot since opening last year. 26

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Boutique 120 features major brands including True Religion, Lucky Brand, and Michael Stars and carries a big selection for men, women, and children. Liv Fashion Boutique is home to up-to-theminute designs and has grown from its original Ukiah store to open shops in Santa Rosa and San Francisco. Beneath its distinctive art nouveau-style sign, La Tre carries a selection of irresistible dresses, boots, handbags, and other accessories. Shoefly and Sox is a go-to Ukiah spot for fashionable, comfortable brands including Clarks, Born, and Uggs, as well as handbags and accessories. You’ll also find a number of Ukiah stores with distinctive ideas for your home. Habitat specializes in gifts and fine housewares, while Mendocino Bounty is a marketplace that features local foods and wines along with unique kitchen and garden accessories. Elegant and intimate Three Sisters carries gifts, candles, and other items.

Ukiah is also a haven for book lovers. They revel in the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere of the independent Mendocino Book Company and also browse over at Mulligan Books, which carries “gently used” and discounted new books. It even rents current hardcovers. And Village Book Exchange is a good oldfashioned used-book paradise with stacks of books just about everywhere.

Mendocino Headlands

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Regions of Mendocino County

Spas Northwest of town, Shambhala Ranch is one of the county’s most famous spas. It has its own utilities and a solar electric system that keeps it completely independent of the grid, and helps maintain the natural atmosphere. Pamper yourself with stone massage, raindrop massage, reiki, and chakra balancing.

Lodging Ukiah’s lodging options include national chains, B&Bs, and vacation rentals. Famous as Jack London’s favorite hot spring, Vichy Hot Springs Resort & Inn dates to the 1850s. The 700-acre property offers hiking trails, a lodge, and cottages. Bask in such spa features as a naturally warm, carbonated mineral bath, a hot soaking pool, and an Olympicsize swimming pool (open seasonally). Or treat yourself to Swedish and hot-stone massages and facials. The Super 8 Ukiah is Mendocino County’s only green-certified hotel and is committed to environmental protections. There’s an EV charging station and its breakfasts feature 100% organic coffees and biodegradable tableware.

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Regions of Mendocino County

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Regions of Mendocino County

Anderson Valley “Ahh, Anderson Valley!” Plenty of Mendocino visitors say just that as they experience the good life of this hidden valley where relaxation and rejuvenation just comes with the territory.

Yorkville The Yorkville area is home to several distinctive places to stay. At an elevation of almost 1,500 feet, Ravenridge Cottages includes a former artist’s studio and the property’s original one-bedroom house. On 21 acres of vineyards, native trees, and grazing areas for sheep and llamas, Linda Vista Bed and Breakfast offers two large, comfortable suites.

Boonville Considering the prominence of valley agriculture and all of the great locally made gourmet products, it’s no surprise that Boonville has wonderful places to eat. Table 128, the dining room at the Boonville Hotel, is one of the valley’s finest restaurants. The prix fixe family-style menu creatively celebrates the bounty of the season and its wine bar is a favorite gathering spot. Lauren’s Café uses fresh local and regional ingredients and is a valley dinner favorite for such home-style fare as chicken-pot pie. Come here and you can catch live music too. The Buckhorn Saloon is a good bet if you’re looking to try both local beers and wines. The savory scones alone at Mosswood Market Café are worth the drive to Anderson Valley. The café also serves fresh deli sandwiches, soups, salads, coffees, teas, pastries, and desserts. Boont Berry Farm is a good bet for healthy foods, including vegan baked goods. The meat department at Anderson Valley Market also makes sandwiches, while Boonville General Store showcases great cheeses and all sorts of seasonal items.

Lodging The Boonville Hotel is a magnificently updated and beautifully appointed historic roadhouse. It combines an elegant

Cherry picking near Ukiah

contemporary country style with a lighthearted spirit for casual, comfortable luxury. Nicely situated for wine-country explorations, the Anderson Valley Inn was built entirely from redwood and its six rooms (including two suites) combine affordability and a rustic grace. The Other Place boasts four beautiful contemporary private cottages in secluded settings ranging from ridgetop to creekside locations; three cottages have expansive valley views. The spectacular two-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot contemporary barnhouse at Shooting Star at the Olive Farm is located amidst acres of olive trees. It definitely lets you live the Anderson Valley life during your stay and you can enjoy impressive views from its spacious deck.

gourmet items, and a cheese counter. Stay overnight at The Madrones in a pair of stylish guest quarters that let you immerse yourself in the world of the wine country. The Apple Farm, known for its certified organic/biodynamic orchard, sells apples, pears, and handmade jams and jellies. Libby’s Mexican Restaurant is so authentic that plenty of people make the trip here just for the carnitas. Lemon’s Market was recently recommended in Via magazine for picnic supplies and made-to-order sandwiches. Set on 12 acres of redwood groves and meadows, Holly Hill Farm offers two private guesthouses that let you escape into Anderson Valley’s natural splendor while still enjoying modern amenities.

Philo The Madrones is certainly one of the more diverse stops in Anderson Valley. It represents the vision of owner Jim Roberts who turned this onetime homestead and TV repair shop into a compound with four separate tasting rooms for small lot Anderson Valley wineries and eclectic shopping at Sun & Cricket. You’ll find books, antiques,

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Regions of Mendocino County

South Coast

B. Bryan Preserve

For a region with such a wild and natural feel, the South Coast offers a surprising number of luxury inns and fine dining choices to go along with its crashing waves and unspoiled ocean vistas.

Gualala

For fine dining that the San Francisco Chronicle called a “magical blend,” selftaught chef and co-owner Rosemary Campiformio’s North Coast Cuisine turned St. Orres into one of Northern California’s favorite restaurants. Instantly recognizable just north of Gualala with its onion-domed turrets that pay homage to the region’s Russian history, the restaurant features a three-story dining room. You can stay in architecturally distinctive cabins and cottages set beautifully among the redwoods and in meadows with ocean views. Trinks Cafe is a Gualala gathering spot for breakfast and lunch, thanks to its ocean views, espresso drinks, and an emphasis on local, seasonal, and organic ingredients and products in its salads and sandwiches. And Trinks serves gelato from Gualala’s own Gelati Pazzo Marco. The restaurant is also open for dinner Wednesdays and Fridays. The chais and espressos at Blue Canoe Coffee and Tea won raves from Yelp reviewers. The Shoreline Restaurant at the Breakers Inn offers a cozy firepit, a glassedin oceanside deck, and seafood with an Asian twist. With its mouthwatering ribs, pulled pork, and brisket, Bones Roadhouse is a must-stop for barbecue lovers.

Shopping The Sea Trader carries incense, candles, jewelry, books, and meditation tools. With its selection of women’s clothing and shoes, furnishings, and gifts, Red Stella specializes in “coastal living with an urban edge.” Run by two brothers, Four-Eyed Frog Books is filled with wonderful books, cards, games, and stuffed animals.

PhOtO COurteSy B. Bryan PreSerVe

Gualala (pronounced wa-LA-la) is the southern gateway to Mendocino and in addition to the many galleries that have made it one of the county’s artistic centers, you’ll find outstanding restaurants and lodging.

Anchor Bay In addition to vacation rental homes and a pair of B&Bs, accommodations include a unique choice recently recognized by National Geographic Traveler as one of its “Hotels We Love” around the world. The Mar Vista Cottages were built in 1936 as rental units for sports fishermen and have been lovingly updated in a clean Shaker/ Swedish style. The grounds feature an organic orchard and garden and guests are invited to harvest produce. As its name would suggest, the Whale Watch Inn delivers commanding ocean views from 18 individually designed rooms, which all have private decks and fireplaces. Guests also enjoy access to a private beach.

City Park. At Arena Cove, you’ll find more shops and restaurants and the city’s seaside lodging options. Immerse yourself in the world of the cove at Wharf Master’s Inn. The inn overlooks the water and offers rooms with balconies and fireplaces and distinctive suites. You can even stay in the historic 1865 Wharf Master’s House, which has a 50-foot deck and is the oldest home in Point Arena. The Pier Chowder House & Tap Room specializes in seafood dishes and provides a unique gathering spot for fishermen, surfers, locals, and tourists. And Pizzas & Cream serves delicious thin-crust pizzas and organic ice cream from the local Humboldt Creamery.

Point Arena Across from the Arena Theatre you’ll find Franny’s Cup & Saucer. Behind its distinctive blue facade, this bakery serves fabulous house-made baked goods for breakfast, lunch, and dessert (the Arena Theater’s concession stand also sells Franny’s pastries). Next door to Franny’s, Everything Under the Sun offers fairtrade goods from around the world. Downtown is connected to Arena Cove, the city’s second main district, by a milelong bike path that begins at three-acre

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Regions of Mendocino County

North Coast A classic region that embodies the appeal of Mendocino County, the North Coast lets you savor an irresistible combination of natural beauty, luxury, and history along miles of unspoiled shoreline.

Albion Site of the region’s first lumber mill, Albion boasts the last wooden bridge still in use along Highway 1.

Bowling Ball Beach

Manchester Manchester is home to an old-fashioned general store that carries everything from groceries to building supplies. There’s also a very popular KOA Campground right on the ocean. Offering delightfully secluded lodging in four guest rooms, the Inn at Victorian Gardens is a historic farmhouse on 92 acres. It serves Italian cuisine in the dining room and garden. Overlooking the ocean between Manchester and Elk, Irish Beach is a nicely landscaped collection of vacation homes and cabins, many of which are available for rent.

Elk A perfect getaway and wedding spot, Elk is famous for world-class inns and B&Bs and an inspiring clifftop location. Nights are especially magical. Step out onto your balcony and you get the sensation of being alone on the cliff—high above the Pacific and beneath a star-filled sky. Old-fashioned, at-your-request service characterizes Queenie’s Roadhouse Café, which is housed in a 1902 building. Its breakfasts and lunches combine the natural, the local, and the organic with a casual panache to create distinctive comfort foods. And don’t miss the house-made herbed biscuits.

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Greenwood Pier Café boasts a bright, airy dining room and a menu of well-prepared favorites: eggs benedict, seafood pasta, grilled salmon, and even a surprising tuna quesadilla. Bridget Dolan’s Pub, may be the most elegant pub you’ll ever find. Located in the Griffin House Inn, its menu ventures far beyond bangersand-mash to include vegan barley-kale soup with mushrooms and black olives, as well as chicken enchiladas and fish tacos.

Sunset magazine declared the Albion River Inn one of the West’s best small inns, and Men’s Journal hailed it as having “the best views and best chef—Stephen Smith—between San Francisco and Seattle.” The inn combines luxurious lodging (with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and ocean-view decks) and superb dining in its award-winning restaurant (check out the incomparable Scotch and wine lists). The Ledford House is both a wonderful restaurant and an art gallery too—not to mention a great place to spot whales. The Mediterranean cuisine incorporates influences from California, Asia, and Latin America.

Elk’s accommodations set a high standard. The Greenwood Pier Inn features ocean-view decks, a cliffside hot tub, and fireplaces. There are also separate cottages and cabins with spectacular views. Named one of the West’s best small inns by Sunset magazine, Harbor House Inn combines luxurious lodging with awardwinning dining (it won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence). Surrounded by gardens, redwoods, and the ocean, it’s a spot that lets you enjoy creature comforts and a connection to nature. Featured in Travel + Leisure magazine this year, Elk Cove Inn & Spa includes rooms in a Craftsman-style mansion that dates back to 1883, as well as cliffside cottages. Enjoy gourmet breakfasts and stunning views, plus private beach access and a spa that uses organic oils, minerals, and salts for body treatments and massages.

Tidepools near Russian Gulch State Park

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The Village of Mendocino

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There’s quaint and then there’s the Village of Mendocino. Listed on the National Register of Historic places, the village instantly transports you back to the 19th century.

The Village of Mendocino

Little River Two miles south of Mendocino, Little River is home to extraordinary B&Bs and some of the state’s most spectacular lodging. Little River Inn is as famous for its dining as for its accommodations. The restaurant serves a signature Dungeness crab pot pie, while the inn’s Ole’s Whale Watch Bar takes in sweeping ocean views. The inn is also home to a spa, which offers a full range of body treatments, and the Mendocino coast’s only golf course (see sidebar on page 57). And each of its rooms has ocean views. A favorite of travel journalists, Dennen’s Victorian Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast has a two-story farmhouse and cottages on immaculately landscaped grounds. Dennen’s rooms and suites feature woodburning fireplaces, antique furnishings, spectacular views, and superb house-made breakfasts served ensuite. Featured in Spa Magazine in 2011, Inn at Schoolhouse Creek commands nine acres of gardens, meadows, and forests with seven rooms and 12 cottages (one a refurbished water tower) that overlook the 34

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ocean. The inn’s Creekside Spa occupies a luxury yurt near an ocean-view hot tub and sauna, and offers massages, facials, aromatherapy, body polishes, and foot treatments. Ask about in-room treatments, too. The diverse menu (including many gluten-free items) at its Creekside Restaurant ranges from a salmon with spinach and brie to a gourmet ranch-fed beef burger. The contemporary style of the nine Cottages at Little River Cove creates a distinct alternative to the historic and rustic feel of much of Mendocino County’s lodging. The cottages (six are pet-friendly) overlook the ocean from atop a bluff and come with full modern kitchens and baths. Romantic Glendeven Inn is a farmstead with a three-story farmhouse, a carriage house, and an annex. The house llamas enjoy their own pasture, chickens on the property provide eggs for the breakfasts, and free-ranging guinea fowl control insects in the manicured gardens. In-room massage is available, and the elegant Wine Bar[n] serves Mendocino wines accompanied by artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and a house-made soufflé.

Every building embodies the village’s unique history—from redwood water towers to houses weathered by salt air, fog, and wind. Lush gardens spill over with rose and berry bushes from the yards of superbly maintained houses. Many vintage buildings have found new life as B&Bs, shops, and restaurants; one historic red church (with its stained-glass windows still intact) is now an organic co-op grocery. And nature always awaits nearby at the Mendocino Headlands, where the only sounds are the crashing waves and the flapping wings and calls of seabirds.

Dining National and international food critics laud the village’s trend-setting restaurants, which include pioneers in the local, sustainable, and Slow Food movements. Celebrated in such publications as The New York Times, Wine Spectator, and Coastal Living, historic MacCallum House Inn & Restaurant is one of the county’s top food destinations. Almost everything served is made in the house kitchen—including breads and pastas— and the meat and produce are fresh and local too. For a casual option, the inn’s sun porch is home to the Grey Whale Bar & Café, which serves a menu of lighter selections—cod cakes, organic chicken pot pies, and Yucatan-style pork tacos. The cocktails are also handmade with local and organic ingredients. Accommodations include cottages, rooms in the main house, and suites. Opened in the late 1960s in a 19th-century farmhouse, Café Beaujolais almost single-handedly put Mendocino on the map as an international dining destination. The café serves country French fare prepared with natural, humane, and organic ingredients. Rising from a wooded hillside south of town like the timber lodge of your dreams, the four-diamond Stanford Inn

Regions of Mendocino County

Anderson Valley spring flowers

features Ravens’, one of the country’s best vegetarian/vegan restaurants. The food will make you completely rethink your assumptions about what vegetarian dining can be. The inn’s spa further emphasizes health and healing with a full menu of massages, wraps, aromatherapy, scrubs, and yoga. Gourmet magazine designated the main dining room of the historic Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites one of the “Best of Northern California Restaurants” in 2008, and the restaurant has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for ten straight years. The bistro-style menu at The Lobby Lounge includes chowder, salads, gourmet sandwiches, and fishand-chips. Family-run 955 Ukiah Street Restaurant has earned praise from publications including Bon Appétit and Wine Spectator. Appellation said the restaurant “exemplifies many of the reasons visitors and residents love this coast.” In a light, airy dining room in the charming, barn-roofed Blue Heron Inn, Moosse Café is perhaps most famous for

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Breggo Winery oyster and wine tasting

its house-made desserts. But its lunch and dinner menus have also drawn plenty of praise and can include a gourmet three-cheese mac-and-cheese, cioppino, or organic chicken breast stuffed with preserved lemon. The Mendocino Café serves dishes inspired and influenced by its owner’s world travels and that incorporate organic produce and free-range chicken and meats from a ranch in Covelo. The garden setting and ocean views definitely help create a memorable experience.

Mendocino Headlands State Park

Wine & Specialty Foods

Lodging & Spas

Artisan roaster Thanksgiving Coffee Company Café & Espresso Bar is dedicated to sustainability and the premise of “Not just a cup, but a just cup.” It serves fresh-baked goods and lunches and you can learn all about coffee from owner Paul Katzeff.

As you can see, there’s plenty of crossover between Mendocino’s fine dining and its accommodations because several top restaurants are located in the best places to stay.

For outstanding carry-out, try Tote Fête. A meat market and deli, Mendocino Market serves excellent soups and sandwiches to go or to eat in the store’s tiny dining area.

Papa Bear’s Chocolate Haus crafts candy right before your eyes, ranging from taffy and caramel apples to a signature white chocolate with fresh raspberries. Among the truffles at the Mendocino Chocolate Company is the delectable orangeflavored Angela, created and named for red-haired Angela Lansbury when she worked on location here shooting Murder, She Wrote.

Mendo Burgers serves up delicious organic beef, turkey, or veggie burgers with all sorts of fixings, as well as huge portions of delectable fries. It’s pet-friendly too. And Patterson’s Pub brings a touch of Ireland to the edge of the Pacific in a onetime church rectory building that dates to 1866.

Located in a historic church, the collectively operated Corners of the Mouth natural food store is a must for anyone seeking healthy and organic foods. And the Harvest Market at Mendosa’s is both a specialty grocery (organic and gourmet foods) and an old-fashioned general store with hardware, paint, and even buttons.

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Village lodging includes historic B&Bs that positively embody what a bedand-breakfast should be, and inns and hotels with authentic Victorian character. Originally a barbershop and later a fine restaurant, the New England-style Victorian that’s home to Headlands Inn Bed and Breakfast dates back to 1868. The inn combines a unique history with luxury and meticulous service. Many of the rooms have ocean views and woodburning fireplaces. And the breakfasts are positively lavish with homemade breads and hot entrees—all delivered to your room. The four-diamond Joshua Grindle Inn has been celebrated in Sunset and Coastal Living magazines. Set on a knoll overlooking the village and surrounded by two acres of rhododendron-filled gar-

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Regions of Mendocino County

dens, the inn offers a range of distinctive accommodations. Choices include rooms in the 1879 Victorian farmhouse or three selections in a converted three-story water tower with a redwood beam ceiling. Reflecting Mendocino’s New England heritage, the 1888 Blair House Bed and Breakfast played Jessica Fletcher’s home in Maine in the classic television series Murder, She Wrote. A gorgeous two-room suite filled with antiques is named Angela’s Suite in honor of series star Angela Lansbury. From a commanding blufftop setting, Agate Cove Inn takes in views of waves rolling onto the rocky Mendocino coast. The inn offers cottages with such amenities as private decks, four-poster feathertop beds, and fireplaces. There are also rooms in the 1860 farmhouse, including Sunstone, with its ocean-view spa tub. With cottages overlooking Big River beach and four rooms in a Craftsmanstyle home, Alegria offers a range of experiences and moods. Alegria’s Cove Cottage is an intimate escape with Asian accents and an incredible setting above the beach. Or for a different atmosphere, try Alegria’s Victorian-style Village Farm Retreat vacation rental about a block away.

Montgomery Woods State Park

Two village inns also boast on-site spas. The Sea Rock Inn and Spa offers massage and sauna. And Sweetwater Gardens, at the Sweetwater Spa and Inn, is famous for its redwood hot tubs and sauna (including a private tub and sauna suite). Next door to the Mendocino Hotel, experience facials, massage, waxing, and other treatments at Southern Exposure. At Mendocino Beauty, you can get pampered with facials, peels, make-up, and waxing. And Bodyworks is based in the village but will come to your room to provide massage, acupressure, and acupuncture treatments. Mendocino County is a vacation home paradise. There are a host of opportunities for couples, families and friends looking for their own private Vacation Getaway home. From inland getaways to coastal homes in setting from tame to dramatic, travelers can literally move right in and enjoy all the benefits of having their own private house. There VisitMendocino.com

Regions of Mendocino County

Fort Bragg & Noyo Harbor There’s no mistaking Fort Bragg for a village. In fact, it’s the biggest city on the Mendocino Coast and home to the world-famous Skunk Train. With a population of 7,000, however, most people would still think of it as a town. Fort Bragg has claimed the hearts of couples and families exploring the coast who come here for beachcombing, fishing, and other adventures. In addition to the outdoors, they can savor dining choices tat range from local organic cuisine and superb thin-crust pizza to a beloved local burger joint and a standout Thai restaurant.

Dining

are hundreds of homes throughout the County, each with its own unique character. Some sit right on the edge of the ocean, providing panoramic views, and many can accommodate large groups. Services like Coast Getaways and Mendocino Coast Reservations are two companies that offer a wide range of accommodations and will guide travelers with everything from where to buy groceries to what festivals are happening.

Shopping For women’s wear, Blooming carries everything from casual clothing to handmade jewelry, shoes, and accessories. Rainsong specializes in fashion for hip, stylish men and women, and also has a separate shoe store a half block away. Bebe Lapin carries fashionable children’s clothes and accessories. Let the knowledgeable staff at Perfume Mendo guide you through an inventory of more than 1,000 fragrances. Déjà vu the Mendocino Hat Company boasts a huge selection of hats across many styles. Sallie Mac has two separate shops—one for interiors, the other for garden needs. 38

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

And The Golden Goose carries antiques, housewares, and home décor. In the village, you’ll find all sorts of original shops that reflect the community’s independent and creative spirit. Out of This World combines science with fun, and stocks quality binoculars as well as toys and novelties, including freeze-dried astronaut ice cream. Reflections offers a world-class selection of kaleidoscopes made by leading craftspeople who specialize in these beloved visual devices. For gifts and souvenirs, both Big River Trading Company and Mendocino Gift Company are good stops. The Village Toy Store is a low-key, kid-friendly place with an excellent selection of toys and games from Europe. Curling up with a good book is part of the village lifestyle, so bookstores here satisfy the reading urges of both locals and visitors. Main Street’s Gallery Bookshop is a cozy maze lined with a varied selection. The huge front window with its browsers’ bench looks directly out on Mendocino Bay. Just up the street, Main Street Books is a fantastic old house stuffed with used books.

Artisan hearth breads are the specialty at Fort Bragg Bakery, which uses organic flours and grains. A must-stop for foodies, the bakery is located in a restored building, and its favorites range from scones and turnovers to wood-fired pizzas and bistro salads at lunch. For a taste of the raw food movement at its best, Living Light Café prepares organic raw vegan dishes. It’s part of a complex including an inn, a market, and a culinary arts institute—a premier school for raw vegan chefs.

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Strolling on Main Street in the Village of Mendocino

Consistently one of the Zagat Survey’s top restaurants on the California coast, Mendo Bistro is famous for its legendary crab cakes. Operated by chef/owner Nicholas Petti and his wife Jaimi Parsons, it serves bistro favorites and house-made fresh pastas that incorporate the best local seafood and produce.

Pudding Creek tressle bridge

Regions of Mendocino County

For delicious, healthy, and organic breakfasts, Café 1 is the place to go; lots of regulars swear by its Hippie Scramble egg dish. Wizard of Oz–themed Egghead’s, serves local Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict with three scratch-made Holandaise sauces and cinnamon raisin bread french toast. Headlands Coffeehouse, a local hangout serving bagels, breakfast burritos, granola, and famous Belgian waffles. It’s open for light dinners, too, with live music (mostly jazz) every night. Ask people in the Mendocino wine country where to eat in Fort Bragg and lots of them will tell you to head over to Nit’s Café for its Thai and Asian dishes. Looking out at the boats of Noyo Harbor, Silver’s at the Wharf has been popular since it began as a coffee shop serving fishing crews in the 1950s. You can gaze through walls of windows to watch seals cruising the harbor and the comings and goings of boats. Another special-occasion restaurant, The Cliff House overlooks the ocean and harbor mouth from a clifftop location. Casual options at Noyo Harbor include Cap’n Flint’s and its famous chowder, Heron’s by the Sea, and Chapter & Moon. Piaci Pub & Pizzeria offers a large chalkboard full of craft beers on tap, local wines, and delicious thin-crust pizza, as well as calzones, salads, and sandwiches. A longtime family friendly favorite for its pizzas, D’Aurelio’s Italian Restaurant produces outstanding Italian fare. Visitors to Cowlick’s can watch the owner make his beloved premium ice creams by hand. In addition to ice cream favorites, the menu includes hot dogs. Relish also serves hot dogs and even has a vegetarian option among its creations.

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Lodging Fort Bragg’s accommodations range from well-known national names to unique local inns and B&Bs.

Glass Beach

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

PhOtO COurteSy ViSit MendOCinO

Celebrated in both The New York Times and Sunset magazine, The Weller House Inn was built in 1886 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ten guest rooms include two in the house’s historic water tower (Fort Bragg’s tallest point) and its redwood ballroom has become a hot spot to tango. The Grey Whale Inn boasts two very different firsts: It was the city’s original hospital and 65 years later the first Fort Bragg B&B. The three-story redwood structure offers beautifully decorated rooms (some with ocean views) named for county landmarks. The Atrium B&B features themed rooms in a lovely historic home that faces the ocean. The Glass Beach B&B Inn is a cozy place centered around a beautiful sitting room. And nearby and an easy walk to Glass Beach, Country Inn B&B is an eight-room inn focused on its guests’ comfort.

Set in an appealing park-like setting, the cottages and suites at Shoreline Cottages offer convenient access to the ocean. A longstanding favorite, the Beachcomber Motel may be unassuming, but does everything right. The location backs up to a coastal prairie laced with foot trails down to the beach. A paved path also runs behind the motel and extends south into town and north to MacKerricher State Park. Standing tall, the North Cliff Hotel delivers spectacular views of the Noyo River and the ocean while the Harbor Lite Lodge perches high above Noyo Harbor. The Emerald Dolphin Inn, also an easy walk to the beach, is famous for the adjacent mini-golf course. Nicely renovated rooms plus picnic tables, barbecue grills, and gardens make the Surf Motel & Gardens a dependable and affordable choice while on the North Coast. And for a bit of personal pampering, Bamboo Garden is a five-star spa offering massage, facials, body treatments, and aromatic sauna.

Regions of Mendocino County

North County The North County spreads across Mendocino County’s rugged and majestic interior and is filled with discoveries for travelers looking to explore a lesstraveled part of Northern California.

Willits Nestled in Little Lake Valley, Willits is the North County’s largest community. U.S. 101 runs right through town, where it slows down and becomes Main Street. In fact, the stoplight in Willits is the first on 101 north of San Francisco.

Chainsaw carvings near Leggett

Shopping Cooking Up Ideas in the Depot Mall includes cookbooks and a large array of specialty foods and kitchenware. Le Sorelle also focuses on dining and the kitchen. Fiddles & Cameras lives up to its name. It’s an old-fashioned stop for camera, photography, and darkroom supplies (including digital needs). And yes, it stocks stringed musical instruments too. Racine’s Art & Office Supplies is definitely a haven for the creative and an inviting place to browse, thanks to its intricate hand-drawn window displays and its wall art. For book lovers, the beautiful and soothing Cheshire Bookshop carries new titles, while The Bookstore, Estates Gallery Used Books & Antiques, and Windsong Used Books all specialize in rare or preowned titles. Declaring “we believe all women no matter what their size (or age) deserve great fashion,” Toto Zaida is committed to style, comfort, and affordability. La Tre, Europa, and Belle de Jour all focus on elegantly casual women’s fashions. You’ll also find boutiques with diverse collections, such as Splendiferous with its many clothing lines for “women, children, yoga, life” to specialty stores,

such as Pippi’s Longstockings. It zeroes in on socks, tights, and stockings. Understuff carries lingerie for the whole body. In addition to clothing, the selection at Tangents includes an eclectic grab-bag of novelties, candles, and jewelry. There’s more than clothing in Fort Bragg too. Rubaiyat Beads carries beads (of course), tribal jewelry, shawls, scarves, incense, and crystals. Jammed with high-quality toys, games, models, and puzzles from around the world, The Spunky Skunk is a great stop right on Main Street.

Beyond Fort Bragg Cleone Gardens Inn is a 10-room lodge with view decks, gardens, and a private path through woods to the beach. Downtown Cleone’s The Purple Rose is beloved for its Mexican food. And its famous margaritas draw devotees from well south along the coast. The beautiful 1871 farmhouse at the oceanfront Howard Creek Ranch in Westport has a second-story wraparound porch. Rooms feature handcrafted redwood details, antiques, and plenty of atmosphere. On hikes along the ranch’s trails, you may end up spotting all sorts of wildlife. There’s even a swinging bridge across the namesake creek.

Anyone entering from the south and heading for the coast will see mostly travelers’ necessities—fast-food places, auto-service shops, and motels. That said, just travel about a quarter of a mile north of the California 20 turnoff toward the coast, and you’ll easily find Willits’ smalltown charms.

Dining Willits’ most widely acclaimed restaurant is The Purple Thistle. The small and distinguished café has an elegant but unpretentious dining room and shares a delightful gravel-floored, lattice-shaded patio out back with Shanachie Pub. Some of Willits’ best food can be found in the city’s most unpretentious places. Customers at Burrito Exquisito often enjoy their organic, all-natural fare while standing in the alley next to the brick eatery. An unfussy, old-fashioned diner for breakfast and lunch, downtown’s Ardella’s Kitchen serves up large portions of homemade food. Al’s Redwood Room first opened in 1901 in a local hotel. Al was a friend of Seabiscuit owner Charles S. Howard and his triumphant jockey Red Pollard, who was a regular at the bar. The bar, back bar, and neon sign are vintage and the menu features Thai and American selections. Any guesses about what Busters Burgers & Brew serves? Draught selections include several Mendocino County favorites. Mendonesia Café serves salads, sandwiches, espresso, and desserts, while

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2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Regions of Mendocino County

Taste of Paradise whips up coffee drinks and fruit and vegetable beverages. The railroad-themed Loose Caboose Café is popular for lunch thanks to a selection of soups, sandwiches, and what some tout as “the best chili ever!!” And the Cherry Coke comes with real maraschino cherries. The independent eco-friendly Mariposa Market grocery is a good stop for picnic supplies, healthy road food, and snacks.

Lodging Lodging in Willits ranges from national favorites to unique local inns and a handful of rental properties. The 43-room Baechtel Creek Inn & Spa sets the standard for luxury. Situated along Baechtel Creek, the inn features rare amenities: a complimentary breakfast including homemade waffles, and six custom rooms come with antique furnishings and a bottle of wine. The spa’s range of skin and body treatments includes a Hungarian paprika facial, scrubs, vanilla crème nail treatments, and hot stone therapy. Redwood cabins, farm-fresh meals, and an incomparable location all add to the appeal of the family-camp Emandal—A Farm on a River, where you can attend multiday sessions or stay overnight depending on availability. Just five minutes from Willits, Brooktrails Lodge is set among the redwoods and offers easy access to hiking trails and the nine-hole Brooktrails Golf Course right across the street.

Elder Creek

Shopping Shops in Willits range from the alternative (Mad About Tye-Dyes, the Headroom Smoke Shop) to Tiger Lily’s Boutique, which showcases stylish women’s fashions (the owner and her business partner model their clothes in the large wall photos). Moon Lady specializes in natural fibers and hard-to-find upscale brands. Mazahar and Zandra Starr redefine eclectic

with their selections of local and global gifts, crafts, natural-fiber clothing, and jewelry. Leather and Laces carries a collection of high-quality comfort shoes. Monkey Wrench appeals to both men and women with its casual wear collection of shorts, Billabong items, and sweatshirts. Willits is home to one of the county’s three skate parks and even has its own skateboard shop called Locals. The Book Juggler is a classic used bookstore so stuffed with titles that the aisles are only about a foot wide. Down the street, serene Leaves of Grass focuses on spiritual, self-help, and self-realization books.

PhOtO COurteSy ViSit MendOCinO

Beyond Willits Dining at the Laytonville Inn includes pizza, salads, and sandwiches. Next door, The Inn Place serves microbrews and local wines, and offers live music every weekend. And you can bring over your Laytonville Inn take-out and dine here.

Chandelier Tree

For dining in Covelo, The North Fork Café is a favorite for its mostly Italian menu of salads, pastas, pizzas, and steaks.

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Plein air painter west of Ukiah 44

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

tHE CREAtiVE COunty

The Creative County Spend time in Mendocino and you’ll soon realize that the arts and culture are as much a part of the county’s identity as its inspiring landscapes.

he works of local artists with national reputations add a creative touch to many county restaurants, wineries, and inns. Even the smallest county towns boast an art gallery, and maybe a museum too. And Mendocino County hosts cultural happenings throughout the year: art fairs, music and film festivals, and writers’ conferences. Add it all up and that’s why for more than half a century, Mendocino County has enjoyed a reputation as an artists’ haven. After the decline of its timber industry, the county underwent a cultural renaissance when a diverse group of artists began to move here. Not surprisingly, they were drawn by the county’s natural beauty and the bohemian lifestyle then emerging in the county and other nearby coastal areas. For the most complete and up-to-date information on the arts scene and to download a PDF of their brochure, visit the website of the Arts Council of Mendocino County: artsmendocino.org.

Upper Russian River Valleys Home to art galleries and the nationally known Grace Hudson Museum & Sun House, Ukiah is a hotbed for the arts. Galleries and arts organizations collaborate each month to hold the First Friday Ukiah Artwalk. From 5 to 8 p.m., art walk sites offer opening receptions, music, complimentary refreshments, and the chance to mingle with local artists. An artists’ cooperative, Corner Gallery Ukiah showcases the work of local art-

ists in its beautiful jewel-box location. Next door, Art Center Ukiah has exhibits spanning many genres and media, including visual arts and photography, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, and metal work. Artists also teach classes and conduct workshops in the Art Center’s annex. Every summer, Ukiah presents Sundays in the Park, a series of six free concerts in tree-shaded Todd Grove Park. Performers range from world-famous names to talented locals.

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The Creative County

PhOtO: JaMey thOMaS

May Day in Anderson Valley

What the Heck is Boontling?

eportedly first created by women, children, and young men working in the hop fields as a way to entertain themselves (and to keep from being understood by the uninitiated), Boontling or Boont eventually spread. For a time, it even became the valley’s principal spoken language. today, the folk language consists of about 1,000 words and survives mainly through the efforts of the Boontling Club. the club sells a pocket-sized word list at the historical Museum and local businesses. here’s a brief glossary. Apple-head: girlfriend Bahl: good, as in “bahl hornin’” (good drinkin’) Baldies: the grassy hills east of Boonville

Lews and Larmers: gossip Ling: language Moshe: a machine, particularly a car

Briney: the ocean

Nee: no, not (often attached as a prefix, as in “neemer,” not anymore)

Bucky: a nickel

Pike: hike or walk

Can-Kicky: angry

Seep: sip, or wine

Cock a Fister: fight Deek: look or see

Shark: to fool or puzzle

Frattey: wine

Shoveltooth: doctor

Gorm: food, or to eat

Shy: to quit or depart

Bluetail: rattlesnake

Harp: talk (particularly to speak Boontling)

Larrup: to beat up

Slug: to sleep Steinber: beer

Heelch: a large quantity or amount

Stook On: stuck on, in love with

Hoot: laugh

Tidrik: a party

Kimmie: man

Zeese: coffee

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Founded in 1977, Ukiah Players Theatre’s productions include classic drama, contemporary plays, and even original local works. SPACE/Near & Arnold’s School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education trains its young students in dance, theater, and music and produces shows throughout the year. Just north of Ukiah, Mendocino College’s renowned Theatre Arts and Music departments work closely together to train and educate students in acting, dance, and voice. The college also stages productions with Ukiah Players Theatre, Ukiah Civic Light Opera, and SPACE throughout the school year. The Ukiah Symphony Orchestra draws from community talent for four annual concerts on the Mendocino College campus.

Destinations At the south end of Ukiah (about 1.5 miles east of 101) Talmage Road deadends at the City of 10,000 Buddhas. This Buddhist monastery, training facility, university, and prayer and meditation center occupies the site of a former state hospital built in the 1930s. The highlight for visitors is the Hall of 10,000 Buddhas, which lives up to that name thanks to the thousands of Buddhas lining its walls. You can also enjoy vegetarian cuisine at the facility’s Jyun Kang Restaurant.

Arts Shopping in Ukiah Lovers of ceramics will have plenty to discover in Ukiah. At the workshop and gallery Graces on Main/Hoyman-Browe Studio, you’ll find earthen tableware, platters, and tile murals. Cinnabar Ceramics Gallery features the Italianinspired pottery of owner Geoff Graham. The selection at Nomad’s World reflects the spirit of co-owner Rita Mae Stewart’s belief that, “There is more to life than the world you live in. Anything is possible.” The store certainly encourages you to expand your horizons with its imported handmade objects made by artisans from a variety of Asian cultures. Knitters will definitely want to stop in at Heidi’s Yarn Haven for its superb high-end yarns and notions. Winesong! performers

The Creative County

Anderson Valley

South Coast

On two weekends in May and June, the Anderson Valley Art Guild conducts its annual Anderson Valley Studio Tour, when local artists open their studios to the public.

From Gualala to Elk, the South Coast has numerous galleries and artistic and cultural destinations.

A true Boonville treasure, Tom McFadden Furniture’s exquisite handcrafted pieces reflect influences ranging from Art Nouveau to Shaker design and the Arts and Crafts movement. A mile north of Boonville, the Anderson Valley Historical Museum is housed in an iconic one-room schoolhouse. Exhibits range from indigenous Pomo baskets to vintage farm equipment. You can also learn about Boontling, the language invented by locals in the 19th century and still in limited use today. Hours vary, so call ahead. Farther down Highway 128 toward the coast, The Navarro Amphitheater is an intimate, redwood-shaded music venue that may be Anderson Valley’s best local secret. Past performers include Johnny and Edgar Winter. In Philo, The Pot Shop is a working studio and gallery. Studio visitors will see the pottery creating process from throwing clay on a potters wheel to unloading pots from the kiln.

A great way to get inside the working artist community is to visit the area during the North Coast Artists’ Guild’s Studio Discovery Tour when artists along a 40mile coastal stretch open their studios. It’s held over Labor Day weekend and the following weekend in September.

Gualala With galleries showcasing photography, jewelry, ceramics, and painting, Gualala is a true arts haven with a long creative tradition. The community is home to the Gualala Arts Center, a superb cultural facility that hosts art exhibitions, performances, and community events. Set among towering redwoods, the 15,000-squarefoot center is a remarkably impressive arts venue for a community this size and on its grounds, you’ll find sculptures, gardens, and a walking trail.

is an ideal stop thanks to the creative talent that you’ll find here. Henley’s Art & Interiors carries unique fine art and handcrafted items by local and national artisans. The award-winning Studio 391 Fine Art Gallery has a diverse selection that includes photography, painting, sculpture, and ceramics. Curated by modern design pioneers Lu Wendel and Maynard Hale Lyndon, Placewares focuses on design and art for the home. Now in a larger and brighter space, Spindrift Gallery concentrates on paintings by owner Craig Gilliland, as well as leading Northern California artists. Elsewhere in town, Alinder Gallery is a must for Ansel Adams devotees. The gallery’s husband-and-wife owners, James and Mary Street Alinder, are world-renowned Adams authorities. She had once worked as chief assistant to the legendary photographer. Downtown’s Dolphin Gallery is the retail annex of the Gualala Arts Center and exhibits everything from photography and paintings to ceramics, forged metal, baskets, and birdhouses. Located in a distinctive setting above town, Stewart Kummer Gallery features fine arts and crafts by Northern California artists working in a variety of media.

There’s plenty of arts shopping in Gualala too. The Cypress Village Gallery District Mendocino 4th of July Parade

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The Creative County

Point Arena

Highlight Gallery in Mendocino

Thirty buildings in Point Arena along Highway 1 comprise a historical district that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown boasts shops, galleries, cafés, and Main Street’s historic Arena Theater. The theater first opened in 1929 as a vaudeville venue and was lovingly restored in 1997. The theater now shows first-run films and presents live concerts and other performances. Lighthouse buffs need no introduction to Point Arena. Standing on a beautiful peninsula that juts into the Pacific, 115-foot-tall Point Arena Lighthouse underwent a major restoration and offers an evocative look at area history. Tours are available daily and visitors can stay overnight in one of the keepers’ cottages. Make prior arrangements and you can enjoy a private view from the top of the lighthouse. At Point Arena Tileworks, artist and craftsman Matt Matijczyk fires all of his pieces on site. He takes pride in the high quality, durability, and affordability of his creations, as well as his rare fused glass tiles.

North Coast

Elk

Village of Mendocino

The Artist’s Collective showcases the work of 28 artists from all around Mendocino County. Dedicated to keeping fine art affordable, it charges its artists no commission fees. Works include photography, paintings, ceramics, pottery, and redwood furniture.

Art is central to the life of the Village of Mendocino. On sunny days, you’ll see a dozen or more plein-air painters working at easels around town, as well as photographers attempting to capture the village’s subtle beauty and changing moods.

Skunk Train miners

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

PhOtO COurteSy ViSit MendOCinO

The building that houses Elk’s Greenwood State Beach Visitor Center & Museum served as the mill office for two lumber companies and later as town post office. Historic photographs and artifacts (including a vintage organ) bring town history alive, and a wall-sized mural depicts the unusual wharf that once operated here.

The village is full of galleries, and, surprisingly, in a village this picturesque, you’ll find innovative works that venture far beyond traditional seascapes. A monthly celebration of art takes place in Mendocino on the second Saturday of the month. From 5 to 8 p.m., galleries hold openings, and shops stay open later than usual.

Galleries and Arts & Crafts Shopping With gardens and grounds ideal for contemplation, the Mendocino Art Center showcases a different local talent each month and offers a varied slate of classes—from ceramics to digital arts.

Upstairs in the Sussex Building on Main Street, Artists’ Co-Op of Mendocino is a glorious, sunlit space operated by a group of village artists (who frequently work on projects on site). The deck also offers an unparalleled bay view. Ocean Quilts (below the Artists’ CoOp) carries an impressive selection of locally crafted quilts, folk art, and table linens. There is nothing like a cool ocean breeze to inspire a knitter to start a new project and the Mendocino Yarn Shop is a must-stop for aficionados, thanks to its fine yarns and a helpful staff. The Highlight Gallery features regional and local art, fine woodworking, and other skilled crafts. Color & Light Glass Studio showcases original designs in glass by artist Linda Brown. If you love jewelry, you’re bound to be tempted by the offerings in Mendocino. The contemporary sterling silver works at Silver & Stone Jewelry garnered praise from The New York Times in a travel article. Rubaiyat Beads has a sister shop in Fort Bragg, and also sells imported rugs. The high-quality and affordable

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The Creative County

jewelry at Mendocino Sandpiper makes it a popular stop for locals. Panache’s two village locations beautifully display jewelry, sculpture, art glass, and museumquality paintings. The wares at Compass Rose Leather include not just hand-crafted leather goods but also glassware and fine woodworking.

Filming Seabiscuit

PhOtO: uniVerSal PiCtureS/dreaMWOrkS SkG

Cultural Destinations

Mendocino County in the Movies

very June, the Mendocino Film Festival draws leading filmmakers to the county for special screenings and other events.

documentaries are a big part of the festival, which is only appropriate. Made in 1904, the first film shot here was a documentary of sorts and depicted logging operations. Since that modest beginning, there have certainly been many better-known movies and tV shows filmed in Mendocino.

Offering a vivid timeline of Mendocino and the surrounding region, the Ford House Museum displays photographs, logging equipment, Pomo artifacts, and a model of the village circa 1890. Built in 1854, the house was home to Jerome Ford, one of the men originally dispatched to salvage cargo from the shipwreck Frolic. The 1861 Kelley House Museum showcases exhibits on Mendocino coastal history, including the logging and shipping industries. Mendocino was unique among 19th-century California’s coastal settlements because of its large Chinese community. The village’s historic Chinatown burned down in 1910 but experts believe the Temple of Kwan Tai is the oldest Chinese joss house in rural California. It was probably built in the early 1850s (reportedly for $12). Restored in 2001, the temple is a registered State Historic Landmark and preserves the history of the county’s Chinese immigrants.

Movies that were shot in Mendocino County include such classics as East of Eden (1954), The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1965), and Summer of ’42 (1971). More recently, The Majestic starring Jim Carrey filmed at several county locations including Big river Beach in Mendocino, at Point Cabrillo lighthouse, and in Fort Bragg on the Skunk train and at the depot. among the famous productions filmed in Mendocino County is the television show Murder, She Wrote, which was a hit on CBS in the 1980s. Set in fictional Cabot Cove, Maine, the series filmed nine entire episodes and numerous shots for credit sequences and other fill-ins in and around Mendocino and Fort Bragg. in the Village of Mendocino, the hill house inn has kept the production’s entrance sign, which reads “hill house of Cabot Cove.” there’s another county landmark that will be of interest to both movie fans, and, of course, horse racing fans. Seven miles south of Willits, historic 5,000-acre ridgewood ranch was the home of Seabiscuit, the legendary thoroughbred celebrated in the book by laura hillenbrand and in the 2003 film (which received seven academy award® nominations). Seabiscuit, who gained worldwide fame in the 1930s and 1940s, is buried here, and his stud barn is preserved. you’ll also see the 1905 Craftsman home of Seabiscuit’s owner, Charles howard, as well as a number of buildings used in his thoroughbred operation. tours are offered three days a week in summer and on select Saturdays May through October. Mendocino Presbyterian Church 50

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

The Creative County

Bagpiper on Mendocino Headlands

Performing Arts

Fort Bragg

Symphony of the Redwoods features 50 amateur and professional musicians from Mendocino and surrounding counties. From September to May, it stages concerts in Mendocino and Fort Bragg.

A terrific way to experience Fort Bragg’s art scene is to come for monthly First Fridays events. With gallery openings, street theater, and concerts in coffee houses, it’s an exciting and accessible introduction to local arts and culture.

Members also perform throughout the year everywhere from private homes to the Mendocino Music Festival. The festival is a diverse cultural event that features national and international artists in genres from classical to opera to jazz. Performances take place in an enormous tent that serves as an instant concert hall, as well as at other area venues For three decades, the Mendocino Theatre Company has presented everything from classic drama to children’s theater. Plays are staged in the intimate 61-seat Mendocino Theatre on the Mendocino Art Center’s grounds. Gloriana Musical Theater produces varied offerings: Gilbert & Sullivan, children’s selections, and classic musicals from West Side Story to The Little Shop of Horrors. Opera Fresca presents top-quality opera, concerts, and cabaret in both Mendocino and Fort Bragg.

And there’s plenty of art in Fort Bragg— both local and from around the world. A member of the fair-trade federation, Ananse Village works directly with village artisans in Africa and displays baskets, beads, masks, and textiles in its showroom. A cooperative of several Mendocino coast artists, Partners Gallery exhibits contemporary painting, photography, jewelry, and sculpture. Featured in both Sunset and Via magazines, it also presents events including poetry readings, concerts, lectures, and films. Edgewater Gallery brings together the work of 16 county artists. These artists also work at the gallery and can offer insights about the works on display and perspectives on the local arts community. Mendocino Coast Photographer Guild and Gallery showcases images of the Northern California coast. It offers VisitMendocino.com

Gualala Arts Center

The Willits Community Theatre presents plays and performances year-round. The Willits Shakespeare Company stages an annual production and conducts spring workshops.

Cultural events abound in Mendocino County

workshops and exhibits change for First Friday events. Built by artist Buster Dyer and his wife Trish, Glass Fire Art Glass Gallery displays distinctive chandeliers, including works shaped like jellyfish. Overlooking the surf from a knoll in downtown Fort Bragg, the Guest House Museum is located in a spectacular threestory 1892 Victorian. Photographs, maps, and artifacts illustrate Fort Bragg history. An assortment of machinery, including log-hauling donkey engines and train locomotives, surround the house.

Westport The hub of the local arts scene in this small community is Gallery This!, which sells art and conducts workshops and classes. During monthly Last Saturdays events, the gallery and local businesses stay open for art openings and other events.

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

North County Two notable Willits cultural attractions are the Mendocino County Museum and the affiliated Roots of Motive Power Museum. With more than 100,000 artifacts, the county museum examines the region’s diverse history: Pomo Indian culture, railroading, shipping, and logging. It brings history alive too, thanks to rooms set up as an old mercantile, a vintage ice cream shop, and an actual dentist’s office. Staffed by volunteers, Roots of Motive Power preserves and restores steam- and diesel-powered machinery used in the area’s logging industry. The collection includes railroad engines and cars, donkey engines, and cranes. Housed in the restored 1926 Women’s Improvement Club building, Willits Center for the Arts is dedicated to getting the community involved in the arts and cultural activities. It combines exhibit areas, performance spaces, and music venues.

For arts shopping in Willits, Blue Sky Gallery highlights the work of local artists, including glass, wood, jewelry, sculpture, photography, and painting. For works with a western character, Quality Burl carries redwood sculpture, furniture, crafts, and gifts. With fewer than 1,500 residents and a location in the northern reaches of the county, Laytonville is easy to overlook. But this pretty farming town hosts the annual Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival. Leading musicians, including Los Lobos and Mavis Staples in 2011, perform at this festival, which honors the late California folk singer. Piercy, Mendocino County’s northernmost community, is home to Confusion Hill, a legendary roadside attraction now honored as a California State Point of Historical Interest. Attractions at Confusion Hill include a half-hour mountain train ride through the woods and a “Gravity House,” where optical illusions run rampant and impossible things appear possible. For instance, balls roll and water runs uphill. With a redwood shoe-house that once served as a parade float and a totem pole that is “the largest freestanding redwood chainsaw carving in the world,” this is a fun stop for families.

PhOtO: BarBara Pratt

The Creative County

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Sea kayaking at Point Cabrillo 54

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tHE OutdOORs

The Outdoors you might come to Mendocino County planning to do a bit of wine tasting and nothing more strenuous than a Shiatsu massage. But get ready for Plan B.

hat’s because as appealing as it is to have a laid-back, do-nothing sort of trip, Mendocino County’s natural beauty will tempt you to get outdoors and get active. We dare you: Just try to resist our waves and wilderness.

In Gourmet magazine, writer Peggy Knickerbocker described Mendocino County’s section of Highway 1 as “one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world.” All along our coast you’ll find quiet, remote beaches that are perfect for photography, wildlife viewing, and long walks. The county’s rivers and lakes lure canoeists and kayakers for both lazy floats and more adrenaline-fueled outings in stretches of whitewater. And then there are Mendocino’s redwood forests, where mountain bikers and hikers can head down trails and escape deep into pristine landscapes.

PhOtO COurteSy liquid FuSiOn kayakinG

There’s no question about it: Mendocino County is filled with endless natural discoveries. Here’s a look at the great outdoors—Mendocino-style.

Outdoors Destinations by Region Upper Russian River Valleys Northwest of Ukiah, Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve occupies 700 acres threaded with miles of trails,

including sections of boardwalks, that take you into unspoiled forest. Minutes northeast of Ukiah, Lake Mendocino is one of California’s loveliest recreational areas. The lake is ideal for just about every form of recreation, thanks to more than 300 campsites, playgrounds, hiking and horseback trails, and a marina. VisitMendocino.com

The Outdoors

Anchor Bay is also a popular gateway to Schooner Gulch State Beach and its forested gulch and bluff-top views, as well as Bowling Ball Beach—named for waverounded boulders that look like you-knowwhat. These beaches are ideal if you wish to picnic, fish, hike, or windsurf. And in season, come here to try and spot migrating gray whales. Arena Cove in the town of Point Arena is home to one of the state’s best fishing piers, which stands about 25 feet above the water. The harbor is also a popular spot for Northern California surfers. The offshore Mendocino Trench is one of the world’s deepest ocean valleys and the Arena Rock Underwater Preserve offers abundant marine life and even a sunken wreck.

Big River State Park

For off-highway vehicle use and other activities not allowed at Lake Mendocino, the Bureau of Land Management operates the rugged 50,000-acre Cow Mountain Recreation Area. In its southern section, 120 miles of OHV trails traverse 23,000 acres for motorcycles, ATVs, and four-wheel-drive vehicles. The northern section is open to hunting, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Anderson Valley There’s definitely more to Anderson Valley than wine. Turn off State Highway 128 between Yorkville and Boonville and travel 3 ½ miles down Fish Rock Road to Maillard Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Don’t expect a lot of action—just majestic trees and solitude. Ten miles beyond Philo at Navarro River Redwoods State Park, you can picnic, swim, kayak, canoe, and camp. The drive through the park along State Highway 128 has been described as “an 11-milelong redwood tunnel to the sea.”

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

South Coast Gualala is a haven for outdoor adventure. Fishing is permitted in the ocean and in many area streams and rivers but restrictions apply, so check with local authorities. While lots of visitors come here for ocean kayaking, you can also paddle along the Gualala River with Adventure Rents. They’ll shuttle paddlers up river and then let you work your way down stream at your own pace. For cyclists, the most popular route is the coast highway. The ride is beautiful but demanding and best-suited for seasoned, confident cyclists.

North of Point Arena, the 1,132-acre Stornetta Public Lands protect two miles of coastline and the Garcia River estuary. There’s even a bit of Africa in Point Arena. Considering the town’s maritime focus, the B. Bryan Preserve is an incongruous but welcome addition. It’s committed to breeding and preserving African hoofed animals, and visitors can take an afternoon tour—or even book a stay in two separate cottages decorated with antiques and vintage rock-and-roll posters. Horseback riding is a great way to explore this area and Ross Ranch leads guided rides out along beaches or up into mountain redwood forests.

North County

With a panoramic ocean view, the little town of Anchor Bay perches atop a dramatic cliff about four miles north of Gualala. It offers a great vantage to spot sea lions and migrating whales.

In Mendocino County’s northern reaches, Leggett marks the crossroads of U.S. 101 and California 1. But the town is most famous as the home of the drive-thru Chandelier Tree. Now about 2,400 years old, this awe-inspiring living redwood stands 315 feet tall and is 21 feet across. Visitors are welcome (for a fee) to walk, bike, or drive thru the handcut opening in the tree’s base.

Anchor Bay Beach was recently ranked the third favorite beach by Sunset magazine readers. Once popular with rum-runners, the picturesque bay is edged by curving, white sand Fish Rock Beach, where the landmark sea stack Quinliven Rock rises 40 feet above the waves.

Smithe Redwoods State Natural Reserve showcases redwoods in its Frank and Bess Smithe Grove. Here, too, fishing and swimming are permitted in the South Fork of the Eel. The reserve also boasts a 60-foot waterfall and an idyllic picnic area.

The Outdoors

Little River Inn golf course

Golf in the County

endocino County offers golf courses that range from unique and challenging to breathtakingly beautiful.

Golfers can test their skills at the remarkable Sea Ranch Golf Links only minutes south of town. the robert Muir Graves design was one of the first Scottish-style links courses in the western u.S.and features a tunnel beneath highway 1 that connects the course’s two sections. in California Golf: The Ultimate Guide, the course was included with such landmarks as Pebble Beach as one of the state’s ten most picturesque courses. at the north end of Willits, the beautiful par-3 nine-hole Brooktrails Golf Course winds among towering redwoods and rustling creeks. the 5,548-yard course at the Little River Inn offers a surprisingly challenging layout along hills and among the redwoods. the course has ocean views and is an audubon Society-certified sanctuary. Blending natural beauty and a challenging layout, the classic Ukiah Municipal Golf Course has ranked with northern California’s best public courses since its opening in 1931.

VisitMendocino.com

The Outdoors

With trails threading the area, Round Valley is ideal for riders of dirt bikes, ATVs, and other motorized off-road vehicles. Black Butte River Ranch provides horse boarding, paddocks, and pasture (in addition to a store and campsites). Horses are also welcome in the Mendocino National Forest, a few miles east.

North Coast

PhOtO: Mike neenan

Van Damme State Park extends to a beach where visitors can take guided trips with Kayak Mendocino. Tours explore sea caves and offer glimpses of local marine life, including harbor seals.

north Coast: The Lost Coast

ort Bragg is the nearest major community to the spectacular lost Coast wilderness, the 80-mile stretch that begins where California 1 swings inland and leaves the Pacific.

It’s tough to leave the coast. But for a different kind of beauty, head three miles inland on Little River Airport Road to the world-famous Pygmy Forest. The forest’s fully mature pine and cypress trees (some a century old) range in height from just six inches to eight feet. Hike 10 miles of trails lush with ferns in the river canyon, or bicycle along a paved road. One of California’s classic coastal stretches, Mendocino Headlands State Park takes in two miles of sea cliffs and offers outstanding views of the Village of Mendocino.

National Geographic Adventure magazine named the lost Coast one of the top ten american adventures. Visit here and you’ll soon know why. the lost Coast straddles the Mendocino-humboldt county line and includes Sinkyone Wilderness State Park and the king range national Conservation area. it’s a ruggedly beautiful and unspoiled landscape with scattered trails, campgrounds, and scenic stops. But it can be challenging and treacherous, so a trip requires planning and advanced outdoor skills. Skilled surfers will enjoy the lost Coast too. National Geographic Adventure described the surfing here as “the stuff of american legend.” Anderson Valley’s peaceful farmland 58

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

At Fort Bragg, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is a state treasure. Trails wind through 47 breathtaking acres of gardens, native forests, and wildflowers. Some of its rhododendrons are more than 20 feet tall. One surprise here is Cliff House. Out on the last curve of the Coastal Bluff Trail, the bare-wood shelter overlooks the tidal action in a tiny cove. Liquid Fusion Kayaking’s tours explore coastal areas, focus on birdwatching and wildlife, and reveal local history in Noyo Harbor and along the Noyo River. Glass Beach is one of California’s most unique beaches. Long ago, this area was a landfill but it has been cleaned up and transformed into a shimmering must-see attraction. Years of pounding wave action broke down bottles and deposited tons of polished glass onto the beach. Redwood groves are a popular Fort Bragg attraction. Right in town, Otis R. Johnson Wilderness Park features trails through the towering trees. A onetime lumber-company throughway, The Old Haul Road starts at Pudding Creek right behind the Beachcomber Motel, then runs 10 miles north to Ten Mile River in MacKerricher State Park. Much of the road is paved and it’s a great route for hikes or bike rides from Fort Bragg to the park. Along the way, it passes Lake

The Outdoors

Cleone, the snowy plover habitat at Virgin Creek, the Laguna Point sea lion rookery, and the Ten Mile Dunes.

A hidden treasure north of Fort Bragg, Ricochet Ridge Ranch offers horseback riding, including trips along the beach—the only place to run a horse on a beach on the West Coast. Outings range from one-hour and half-day guided trail rides to customized excursions. Outside magazine declared the ranch’s weeklong vacation ride one of the “Top 25 Trips of a Lifetime.” The trip travels to Ten Mile Beach, cattle ranches on blufftops and in the foothills, and into redwood forests. The tiny town of Cleone serves as a gateway to MacKerricher State Park, which occupies land that was once part of the Mendocino Indian Reservation. Wildlife spotters come here to look for whales, harbor seals, and dozens of bird species. You can also enjoy two freshwater fishing lakes, campsites, hiking trails, and a long walkable beach. Bicycling and horseback riding are also popular activities.

PhOtO: BarBara BOurne

Just east of Fort Bragg, 50,000-acre Jackson State Forest boasts groves of old-growth redwoods, as well as interpretive walks and miles of trails. With both single- and double-track routes for cyclists of all levels, it’s a haven for mountain bikers.

A Haven of sustainability

major hopland attraction, the 12-acre Solar living Center serves as the headquarters and main campus of the internationally celebrated Solar living institute.

dedicated to demonstrating the viability of renewable energy and sustainable living, it offers guided tours and workshops. the center’s grounds are landscaped to represent different ecosystems at various latitudes, and visitors are welcome to explore these gardens on their own can take guided tours. the center’s store, real Goods, is a leading source for information and products related to renewable energy and sustainable living.

VisitMendocino.com

The Outdoors

Outdoor Activity Resources In Mendocino County

Whitewater rafting

Cycling

The skinny-tire crowd can take to paved roads and revel in everything from the drama of California Highway 1 (part of California’s Pacific Coast Bike Route) to the pastoral scenery of Mendocino’s wine country. With logging roads and trails in almost every state, county, and regional park, as well as Mendocino National Forest, mountain bikers will find endless choices too. Bicycling Resources: Even if you don’t bring your own bike, remember that & Bicycles Too (part of Catch a Canoe) rents and services mountain bikes, as does Fort Bragg Cyclery.

Kayaking, Canoeing, & Whitewater Rafting Along the coast, Adventure Rents in Gualala rents canoes and kayaks for trips on the Gualala River and leads summer moonlight “flotillas” with catered beach dinners. Force 10 Ocean Kayak Tours in Elk offers two-hour trips along the coastline in two-person kayaks. For more ocean adventure, Kayak Mendocino leads tours from the beach in Van Damme State Park.

PhOtO COurteSy ViSit MendOCinO

Both mountain bikers and road cyclists will find that Mendocino County delivers a range of experiences that will inspire them to saddle up every day they’re here.

Operating on Big River, Catch a Canoe rents canoes and kayaks and leads guided tours in custom-built outrigger canoes. In Fort Bragg, Liquid Fusion Kayaking heads out on coastline tours, as well as Noyo Harbor and Noyo River outings. Whether you’re a beginner or expert, Rubicon Whitewater Adventures offers river-rafting experiences throughout the county.

Hiking From quick leg-stretchers to challenging multiday excursions into designated wilderness, Mendocino County’s hiking rivals any in California. You’ll discover old-growth redwoods and fern canyons, hike along ocean cliffs, and stroll secluded beaches. Scenery ranges from ocean-view mountain slopes along the Lost Coast to high-mountain forests in remote Round Valley. Hiking Resources: Pick up Bob Lorentzen’s comprehensive The Hiker’s Hip

Pocket Guide to the Mendocino Coast. It includes dog- and horse-friendly trails, backpacking trails, and maps and descriptions for routes up and down the coast.

Camping Mendocino County offers dozens of public and private campgrounds. Highlights include Paul M. Dimmick Campground in Navarro River Redwoods State Park along Highway 128, which has a waterfall trail; in Van Damme State Park, which snakes back from the coast through Fern Canyon; and north of Fort Bragg at MacKerricher State Park. Camping Resources: • For camping in any county park, mendocino.org/html/parks.html has links to dozens of sites. • For camping reservations at state parks, visit parks.ca.gov. • Reserve America handles reservations for the state and also processes reservations for many public and private campgrounds throughout Mendocino; reserveamerica.com

Horseback Riding

Mountain biking near Mendocino Village 60

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

For equestrians, few pleasures can compare to splashing through the surf along a Mendocino beach. You can also ride into the mountains, through forests, and across coastal plains. On the South Coast, Ross Ranch offers rides on Manchester Beach and in the redwoods east of Elk. Equestrian opportunities at Ricochet Ridge Ranch in Fort Bragg range from daily trail rides to weeklong excursions traversing beaches, forests, and cattle range.

The Outdoors

Jackson State Forest

Mendocino national Forest

ying along the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northeastern edge, spectacular Mendocino national Forest stretches 65 miles long and 35 miles across. it comprises almost a million acres of Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coast range and spreads into five counties.

this vast expanse of wooded mountains, canyons, rivers, mountain lakes, and wilderness offers camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, and hunting. Miles of trails wind through terrain that ranges in elevation from about 3,000 to more than 8,000 feet. From Mendocino County, the forest is perhaps most easily accessible from Covelo, where Mendocino Pass road leads directly up into it. at the national forestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northern end, the sprawling and extremely remote yolla Bolly Middle eel Wilderness is fascinating and challenging to explore thanks to its creeks, waterfalls, and indigenous plants and wildlife. an excursion into this area along the eel river demands planning and outdoor skills. Be sure you have the ability to deal with its rugged country.

VisitMendocino.com

Horseback riding on Pudding Creek Beach 62

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Fun FOR tHE WHOLE FAMiLy

Fun for the Whole Family Considering just how romantic Mendocino County is, your first thought might be to go for a couple’s weekend and let the kids spend some quality time with their grandparents.

ut remember, Mendocino County is a top family destination too. The county is filled with attractions and activities that will keep families busy and happy for days. Mendocino is a place to get the kids away from the computer games and out into some good old-fashioned fresh air for hikes, bike rides, train rides, and kayaking. And by “the kids,” we mean your pets too. The family dog is welcome to accompany you on all sorts of adventures (and into many businesses) in the county. Watch the dogs scamper through the waves and you’ll soon realize that pooches savor their time in Mendocino County every bit as much as you do. Just ask Hairy Putter, Mendocino County’s Director of Barketing: A weekend in Mendocino beats a stint at the kennel—paws down! Here’s a quick look at top family destinations and activities in Mendocino County.

Outdoors • All aboard the world-famous historic Skunk Train! Take a chugging adventure into redwood forests, through long tunnels, and over trestles and bridges. Lunch at the midpoint, then ride the train back (see sidebar on page 65). • Kayak into sea caves at Van Damme State Park or up the Big, Noyo, or Gualala rivers.

• Hit the trail: Disconnect from hustleand-bustle and get the kids to reconnect with nature in Mendocino County. Gualala Point County Park boasts terrain ranging from beaches to coastal prairies and forests. At Van Damme State Park, the Fern Canyon trail cuts inland along Little River in a lush, cool, shady divide, and leads to the unforgettable Pygmy Forest. Walk the Old Haul Road from Fort Bragg north to MacKerricher State Park. And the 700 acres at Mont-

VisitMendocino.com

Fun for the Whole Family

Downtown Fort Bragg

gomery Woods State Natural Reserve are crossed by a network of gorgeous trails. • Wild with wildlife: Watch harbor seals and sea lions frolic in the water and lounge on the piers in Noyo Harbor. And fall and spring means the gray whale migration! • Go fish: Test your skills (and luck) with some bass fishing at Lake Mendocino. • The coast in bloom: Stroll the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, a floral wonderland in any season. • Saddle up for a horseback ride on the beach. • Picnic at a lighthouse: Mendocino’s lighthouses and Point Arena offer kid-pleasing tales of shipwrecks and smuggling, plus memorable locations to savor the coast’s beauty and a do-ityourself lunch. • Search for treasure at Glass Beach: See what the sun reveals in the sands at this beach where you’ll find thousands of bits of wave-polished glass. • Escape to Africa: Get a glimpse of African wildlife at Point Arena’s B. Bryan Preserve. • Help build a better world: A haven of sustainability, the Solar Living Center offers fun, informative tours for families.

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

World’s Largest Salmon Barbeque in Noyo Harbor

Family-Fun Classics

Family Food Favorites

• Putter around: Try your luck at Emerald Dolphin Mini Golf.

• Eggs and Oz: Immerse yourself in The Wizard of Oz at breakfast favorite Egghead’s in Fort Bragg, where the 1939 classic sets the restaurant’s theme.

• Or wing it and fling it: Throw a round of disc golf at courses throughout the county: Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, Mendocino High School in Mendocino Village, Low Gap Park and Mendocino College in Ukiah, at the KOA Kampground just west of Willits, and on Lake Mendocino at the Overlook Day Use Area. • Get inside a redwood: Motor (or walk) through the Chandelier DriveThru Tree. • Believe it or not: Try to make sense of the anomalies at Confusion Hill, then just enjoy the sights—the world’s largest freestanding chainsaw sculpture, the miniature Mountain Train Ride, and the Redwood Shoehouse. • Hit the toy stores: The county has great ones including the Spunky Skunk in Fort Bragg, the Village Toy Store and Out of This World in Mendocino, the Goods’ Stamp Shoppe in Willits, and Brown Bear Toys in Ukiah. • Strike it rich: Bowl a few lines at Yokayo Bowling Center in Ukiah, a family favorite. • A surreal escape: Visit City of 10,000 Buddhas southeast of Ukiah, where peacocks roam the grounds. And see just how many Buddhas really do fill the Hall of 10,000 Buddhas.

• Ice cream, the old-fashioned way: Treat the family to ice cream at Cowlick’s. They make all of their ice cream right on the premises. • A favorite for everyone: Finish the day at Frankie’s Pizza & Ice Cream in Mendocino. It combines live music and beer and wine for adults with a totally family-friendly vibe. Kids will enjoy the fresh local ice cream and the selection of games and toys. And everyone loves the organic pizza.

Traveling With Pets In Mendocino County, the welcome for pets goes far beyond bowls of water outside local businesses. This is a place where virtually all of the top experiences—canoe trips, fine dining, wine tasting, and quiet retreats in luxury inns—are as available to your dog as they are to you. In fact, Fido Friendly and Bark Magazine are among the publications that have declared Mendocino County a standout for visitors traveling with their dogs.

Fun for the Whole Family

skunk train

alk about an only-in-Mendocino experience! now 126-years-young, the Skunk train is the county’s most beloved visitor attraction for kids of all ages.

From its evocative Fort Bragg depot (where scenes for The Majestic were filmed), hop on board as a historic locomotive takes you on a 40-mile run through redwood forests to Willits. along this old logging railroad, you’re almost guaranteed to see wildlife, as you cross 30 bridges and trestles and pass through noyo river Canyon and into two deep mountain tunnels. Many riders opt to go about half the full distance and stop at the Skunk’s depot at northspur. in summer, one train rumbles to northspur for a barbecue dinner several nights a week. the Skunk operates year-round and also conducts holiday train excursions and special seasonal rides built around food themes: local wines, mushrooms, and crab. Plan accordingly and listen for the call to line up. Because you’ll definitely want to grab a window seat for your ride on the Skunk.

VisitMendocino.com

Fun for the Whole Family

PhOtO COurteSy ViSit MendOCinO

Dining

Hairy Putter on Pet-Friendly Places

i, there! My name is hairy Putter, and i am so proud to be the director of Barketing for Mendocino County. i am excited to share with you how petfriendly we are!!! We have so many inns, campsites, hotels, restaurants, wineries, shops and activities that your uprights can share with us canines. For example, you uprights can join us kayaking or on an idyllic walk through the botanical gardens. We can dine at many restaurants that offer al fresco dining, and one of my favorite things to do in Mendocino County is visit the many stores and galleries that give treats to us. the weather on the coast is also to our advantage because we can stay in the car comfortably (windows cracked of course) most of the year. in fact, Dog Fancy magazine ranked Fort Bragg number five on its top ten list of america’s most dog-friendly cities.

Your dog can eat with you in almost any county restaurant’s outdoor dining area. Plenty of pooches like to take deep sniffs of the salt air from the dog-friendly deck at Silver’s at the Wharf. Many Mendocino restaurants allow indoor pet dining too, including Ravens’, a vegan/ vegetarian restaurant. Some restaurants even offer items specifically for your pet including The Moosse Café, which has a new pet-friendly menu. For a culinary canine’s perspective on county wines and dining, local celebrity and Mendocino County’s Director of Barketing Hairy Putter (see box) is Mendocino’s one-dog Yelp.Com. He even posts his own, highly opinionated blog at Hairysblog.com. Go to VisitMen docino.com/pet and you’ll find a link to an online brochure that spotlights Mendocino’s pet-friendly businesses.

Shopping Dogs are also welcome in many of our shops. Fort Bragg is famous for stores with jars of free treats, toys, and other canine amenities. There are also standout stores where your dog isn’t simply a welcome companion but the target demographic.

dogs are allowed on leash in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Pomo Bluffs Park, and Mackerricher State Park. Outdoor areas at many city restaurants also welcome pets, as do plenty of shops, stores, and hotels. thanks to the efforts of the Mendocino Coast dog Owners’ Group (MCdOG), you can leave the leash behind when you bring your uprights to noyo Beach on the northwest corner of noyo Bay. it’s the county’s only off-leash beach. MCdOG has also established a fenced off-leash dog park in Fort Bragg at South lincoln and east Maple streets on the grounds of the C.V. Starr Community Center. you may download the Mendocino County Pet-Friendly travel Brochure from my blog: hairysBlog.com. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens 66

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Chez BeBe in Philo carries “designer wear for distinguished pets” and handcrafts dog coats. Its owners, artists Susan Spencer and Michael Wilson, started the business after searching for coats for their two dogs. Mendocino Barkery in Ukiah offers everything for dogs and cats from harnesses and raincoats to holistic or organic treats, while Paws in Fort Bragg (which donates proceeds from its organic homemade dog cookies toward animal rescue efforts) specializes in top-quality leashes, collars, and also carries pet items created by local artists. And Evergreen Barn Pet Grocery in Mendocino is a Whole Foods for the four-legged set.

Lodging Dozens of resorts, hotels, inns, B&Bs, and vacation rental homes in the county open their doors to dogs. Amenities include dog blankets, towels, bowls, and treats.

Parks & Beaches Dogs on leash (no longer than six feet) are welcome in state and county parks, campgrounds, and at several beaches (Big River, Portuguese, Van Damme, and Caspar). Ukiah’s Low Gap Dog Park has a spacious fenced area for off-leash play.

WEddinGs & EVEnts

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

Weddings & Events as much as Mendocino County is a destination where visitors come to get away from it all, it’s also a place where plenty of people come together to celebrate special events. Weddings Mendocino County’s wedding professionals will help you plan the day you’ve always dreamed of. You’ll find skilled planners and floral designers, as well as talented photographers and musicians. The county

is a true culinary destination and both caterers and chefs at Mendocino’s celebrated restaurants will create rehearsal dinners and wedding meals that you’ll remember forever. Then there are Mendocino’s cake gurus and artisan chocolatiers, who will guarantee the sweetest of finishes to your event.

Meetings & Special Events Sure, Mendocino is wild and rugged. But it’s also a place for business thanks to outstanding venues for meetings, retreats, and corporate events. The Hill House Inn is the North Coast’s largVisitMendocino.com

Weddings & Events

Mendocino Woodlands wedding

est public meeting facility with flexible spaces, a mahogany-paneled lounge with fireplace, and the second-story Pacificview Ocean Room (which seats 150). Its sister facility, the Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites boasts a media-ready garden conference center. The eco-friendly Stanford Inn is ideal for meetings and group retreats that really let participants get away from the daily routine. Little River Inn’s Abalone Room opens to a large ocean-view deck and can handle receptions for up to 100 people, as well as smaller sit-down meetings, presentations, and workshops. A truly unique option—especially if your group loves the outdoors—is Mendocino Magic, a 600-acre retreat center just outside Laytonville with three fully furnished homes and campsites. The recently remodeled Ukiah Valley Conference Center offers four smalland medium-size conference rooms, with modular tables that allow for a variety of configurations. These rooms are ideal for board meetings, seminars, small receptions, and banquets, while four other rooms can be combined to accommodate trade shows and large seminars. The 15,000-square-foot Gualala Arts Center is situated on 11 acres of redwoods and can host large groups for business meetings and events. Amenities and supplies include overhead projection, slide projection, a digital projector, a 16-foot screen, and settings and wine glasses for 200 participants.

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Outdoor & Public Sites

Wineries

Thanks to its incomparable ocean backdrop, the Mendocino Headlands has long been among Northern California’s most popular outdoor wedding locations. The beautiful Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens lets you save on flowers and has another bonus: The gardens are so gorgeous that it’s virtually impossible to take a bad wedding photo here. And for anyone looking for a wedding that’s close to nature, nothing beats the natural cathedral of a Mendocino redwood grove.

From warm inland valleys to the coast, Mendocino wineries specialize in weddings. North of Fort Bragg, Pacific Star combines winery amenities with a cliff-top location overlooking the Pacific. Near Hopland, Jeriko Estate boasts an ultra-luxurious villa available for the wedding party, the newlyweds’ honeymoon, the reception, or the rehearsal dinner. And its landscaped grounds, rolling hills, and vineyards create a memorable backdrop for wedding ceremonies.

Other public properties along the coast for weddings include the Gualala Arts Center and the Kelley House Museum, where the lawn and gardens include a pond and beautiful views of Mendocino Bay. For a great inland location, the gardens and vineyards of Campovida provide a lush and memorable setting for weddings.

Greenwood Ridge Winery features a pond with an arched bridge that’s a natural wedding photo opp. The Weibel Family Vineyards and Winery stages weddings in a variety of locales and also offers changing rooms and a commercial kitchen. With its vineyards and redwood groves, 200-acre Nelson Family Vineyards is a scenic and appealing wedding location. And the scent of lavender, thousands of antique roses, and a natural amphitheater provide the romance at Brutocao Cellars.

Inns and B&Bs All along the coast, inns and B&Bs are experts at staging weddings. They also provide the convenience of housing wedding guests on-site for memorable weekends, and offer newlyweds romantic honeymoon stays. Standouts include Elk Cove Inn and its oceanfront gazebo. Perfect for small, intimate weddings Brewery Gulch Inn offers a gorgeous natural setting and the warmth and romance of its Arts and Craft-style interiors. Little River Inn is big enough for large wedding parties and also features a full-service spa on-site. The Stanford Inn offers a full range of planning resources and ceremony locations including a gorgeous herb garden and in front of the lobby fireplace. Prime choices also include The Weller House in Fort Bragg, MacCallum House in Mendocino (famous for its weddingperfect gardens), St. Orres, the Greenwood Pier Inn, Glendeven Inn, Whale Watch Inn, and Elk’s Sandpiper House Inn with its dramatic dog-hole cove in the backyard. And near Ukiah, the historic Vichy Springs Mineral Springs Resort and Country Inn is ideal for a destination wedding.

Mendocino County Accommodations

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Pet-Friendly

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Fireplace

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Restaurant/Bar

$ = $99 or less; $$ = $100–$149; $$$ = $150–$250; $$$$ = $250+

Handicap Accessible

Similarly priced properties may offer a difference in quality and services. Check references from friends/relatives, your travel agent, travel guides, study AAA “Diamond” (u) rating. Understand deposit and cancellation policies of the accommodation before you make a reservation. Ask for confirmation in writing. A room tax is added to your final bill.

Price Range

UPPER RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEYS For the most current accommodations information, go to www.visitmendocino.com. Visit Mendocino County and Striker Media Group have made every effort to present accurate information in this listing but assume no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions. All daily room rates are subject to change without notice and may not be available in high season.

Bed & Breakfast Sanford House Bed & Breakfast Inn

306 South Pine Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.1653 • sanfordhouse.com

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HOteL/MOteL/inn Best Western Orchard Inn

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Guests enjoy well-appointed guest rooms featuring cable satellite TV with HBO®, refrigerator, microwave, and free high-speed wireless Internet access, complimentary continental breakfast and outdoor swimming pool. Business services include fax/photocopying and meeting space for up to 30 people.

Comfort Inn & Suites

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The Comfort Inn & Suites hotel is committed to making sure our guests are totally happy with their stay. Our property is designed for the convenience of business and leisure travelers alike. Each lovely, spacious guest room has everything you will need, and includes a free breakfast.

Days Inn 950 North State Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.7584 • 800.329.7466 • daysinn.com

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555 South Orchard Avenue • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.1514 • bestwestern.com

1220 Airport Park Boulevard • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.3442 • 877.424.6423 • choicehotels.com

Discovery Inn

1340 North State Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.8873 • discoveryinnukiahca.com

Economy Inn

406 South State Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.8611

Fairfield Inn & Suites

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1140 Airport Park Boulevard • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.463.3600 • 800.228.2800 • marriott.com/stsuk

Hampton Inn Ukiah

uuu 1160 Airport Park Boulevard • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.6555 • 800.HAMPTON • ukiah.hamptoninn.com

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Hopland Inn

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Lawson’s Station

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Motel 6

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Royal Motel

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Shambhala Ranch Eco Lodge

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13401 South Highway 1 • Hopland, CA 95449 707.744.1890 • hoplandinn.com 13441 South Highway 101 • Hopland, CA 95449 707.744.1977 • lawsonstation.com 1208 South State Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.5404

Quality Inn

1050 South State Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.2906 • 800.228.2000 • qualityinnukiah.com 750 South State Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.7536 21200 Orr Springs Road • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.937.3341 • shambhala.com

Sunrise Inn

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Super 8 Ukiah

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650 South State Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.6601 • sunriseinn.net 693 South Orchard Avenue • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.468.8181 • 800.800.8000 • super8ukiah.com

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Vagabond Inn

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Enjoy balconies with mountain views and whirlpool suites with fireplaces in our well-appointed guest rooms. Our outdoor heated pool and hot tub are in a garden setting including koi ponds and perennials. Microwave and refrigerator are in each room. Spa and wine-tasting packages available.

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628 North State Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.463.1610

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Voll Motel

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601 Talmage Road • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.8868 • 800.522.1555 • vagabondinn.com

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Travelodge Ukiah

1720 North State Street • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.5745 • travelodgeukiah.com

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Amenities include four indoor spa tubs, Olympic-sized pool and fitness center. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast with Belgian waffles. Guest rooms have balconies with mountain views, spa tubs and Internet access. Meeting space available for large and small groups. Free parking.

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The only certified Green hotel in Ukiah offers delightful rooms abundantly furnished with every comfort you desire. Conveniently located off Highway 101, the Super 8 is your passageway to the redwood forest, luscious wine country, and boundless amusements of Mendocino County.

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VisitMendocino.com

Mendocino County Accommodations

Family-Friendly

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Pet-Friendly

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Breakfast

Fireplace

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Wi-Fi

Handicap Accessible •

Pool/Spa

Price Range $$–$$$$

$ = $99 or less; $$ = $100–$149; $$$ = $150–$250; $$$$ = $250+

Restaurant/Bar

UPPER RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEYS • Cont’d Similarly priced properties may offer a difference in quality and services. Check references from friends/relatives, your travel agent, travel guides, study AAA “Diamond” (u) rating. Understand deposit and cancellation policies of the accommodation before you make a reservation. Ask for confirmation in writing. A room tax is added to your final bill.

For the most current accommodations information, go to www.visitmendocino.com. Visit Mendocino County and Striker Media Group have made every effort to present accurate information in this listing but assume no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions. All daily room rates are subject to change without notice and may not be available in high season.

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2605 Vichy Springs Road • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.462.9515 • vichysprings.com

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Family-Friendly

Vichy Hot Springs Resort & Inn

Breakfast

resOrts

Pet-Friendly

Fireplace

Wi-Fi

Pool/Spa

Restaurant/Bar

Price Range

$ = $99 or less; $$ = $100–$149; $$$ = $150–$250; $$$$ = $250+

Handicap Accessible

ANDERSON VALLEY Similarly priced properties may offer a difference in quality and services. Check references from friends/relatives, your travel agent, travel guides, study AAA “Diamond” (u) rating. Understand deposit and cancellation policies of the accommodation before you make a reservation. Ask for confirmation in writing. A room tax is added to your final bill.

Bed & Breakfast

$$$

•

Anderson Valley Inn

$–$$$

•

Boonville Hotel

$$–$$$$

Highland Ranch

$$$$

Holly Hill Farm

$$–$$$

Linda Vista Bed & Breakfast

33430 Highway 128 • Yorkville, CA 95425 707.894.2591 • lindavista.com

•

inns 8480 Highway 128 • Philo, CA 95466 707.895.3325 • andersonvalleyinn.com 14050 Highway 128 • Boonville, CA 95415 707.895.2210 • boonvillehotel.com 18601 Van Zandt’s Resort Road • Philo, CA 95466 707.895.3600 • highlandranch.com 2151 Highway 128 • Philo, CA 95466 707.895.2269 • hollyhillfarminn.com

•

• •

resOrts Long Valley Ranch

$$$–$$$$

•

The Other Place

•

Long Valley Ranch Road • Ukiah, CA 95482 707.895.3979 • sheepdung.com The Other Ranch Road • Boonville, CA 95415 707.895.3979 • sheepdung.com

$$–$$$$

•

VaCatiOn rentaLs

CONTACT

Buckner Mountain Estate

415.517.7998

bucknermountainestate.com

John Buckner

Cabin in the Meadow

Sleeps 2–4

707.895.3716

cabinmeadow.com

Kathy Bailey

Ravenridge Cottages

Sleeps 4

707.894.7320

ravenridgecottages.com

Kurt/Gerald

Shooting Star

Sleeps 2–5

415.971.4370

Suzan Ellery

Toll House

Sleeps 12

707.895.2572

tollhouseinn.com

Wild Iris Ranch

Sleeps 2–4

707.272.4203

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Jonathan Wentzel

Mendocino County Accommodations

Ocean View

Breakfast

Family-Friendly

Fireplace

Pet-Friendly

Wi-Fi

Pool/Spa

$ = $99 or less; $$ = $100–$149; $$$ = $150–$250; $$$$ = $250+

Restaurant/Bar

Price Range

Handicap Accessible

SOUTH COAST

•

Bed & Breakfast Coast Guard Historic Inn & Cottages

695 Arena Cove • Point Arena, CA 95468 707.882.2442 • 800.524.9320 • coastguardhouse.com

Elk Cove Inn & Spa

6300 South Highway 1 • Elk, CA 95432 707.877.3321 • 800.275.2967 • elkcoveinn.com

uuu

$$$

$$–$$$$

•

$$$

•

North Coast Country Inn

uuu 34591 South Highway 1 • Gualala, CA 95445 707.884.4537 • 800.959.4537 • northcoastcountryinn.com

•

HOteL/MOteL/inn •

B. Bryan Preserve

$$$

Breakers Inn

$$–$$$

•

Greenwood Pier Inn

$$$

•

Griffin House Inn

$$–$$$

•

uu 47975 Center Street • Gualala, CA 95445 707.884.4343 • 800.564.4466 • gualalacountryinn.com

$–$$$

•

Harbor House Inn

$$$$

The Inn at Victorian Gardens

$$$$

•

45500 Lighthouse Road • Point Arena, CA 95468 707.882.2777 • 877.725.4448 • pointarenalighthouse.com

$$–$$$

•

Saint Orres

$–$$$$

•

Sandpiper House

$$$–$$$$

•

130 Riverside Drive • Point Arena, CA 95468 707.882.2297 • bbryanpreserve.com

39300 South Highway 1 • Gualala, CA 95445 707.884.3200 • breakersinn.com 5928 Highway 1 • Elk, CA 95432 707.877.9997 • greenwoodpierinn.com 5910 South Highway 1 • Elk, CA 95432 707.877.3422 • griffinn.com

Gualala Country Inn

5600 South Highway 1 • Elk, CA 95432 707.877.3203 • 800.720.7474 • theharborhouseinn.com 14409 South Highway 1 • Manchester, CA 95459 707.882.3606 • innatvictoriangardens.com

Point Arena Light Station

36601 South Highway 1 • Gualala, CA 95445 707.884.3303 • saintorres.com 5520 South Highway 1 • Elk, CA 94532 707.877.3587 • 800.894.9016 • sandpiperhouse.com

Surf Motel

39170 Highway 1 • Gualala, CA 95445 707.884.3571 • 888.451.7873

Whale Watch Inn by the Sea

35100 Highway 1 • Gualala, CA 95445 707.884.3667 • whalewatchinn.com

Wharf Master’s Inn

$$$–$$$$

uuu

785 Port Road • Point Arena, CA 95468 707.882.3171 • wharfmasters.com

$–$$$$

•

• •

•

• •

•

B. Byran Preserve was established in Point Arena to aid in the conservation of rare and endangered African Antelope and Zebra. This unique setting offers an ideal place for a vacation. On-site lodging and tours are available by reservation only.

•

resOrts Mar Vista Cottages at Anchor Bay $$$–$$$$ 35101 South Highway 1 • Anchor Bay, CA 95445 707.884.3522 • 877.855.3522 • marvistamendocino.com

•

VaCatiOn HOMes rentaL agenCies Coasting Home

P.O. Box 580, Gualala, CA 95445 707.884.9601 • 800.773.8648 coastinghome.com

Sea Ranch Vacation Rentals

Number of Homes: 35

Number of Homes: 2 P.O. Box 604, Gualala, CA 95445 707.884.3211 • 800.643.8899 • searanchgetaway.com

Blue Dolphin • Sleeps 4 Brisas del Mar • Sleeps 6 Coral Cove • Sleeps 4 Dew Point • Sleeps 6

Ebb Tide • Sleeps 4 Ocean’s Window • Sleeps 4 Oden’s Ohana • Sleeps 6 Pacific Vista • Sleeps 6

Redwood House • Sleeps 2 Seagaze • Sleeps 6 Serendipity • Sleeps 4

Tidewood • Sleeps 6 Voyager’s Paradise • Sleeps 10

The Edge • Sleeps 6 Fleur de Mer • Sleeps 4

VisitMendocino.com

Mendocino County Accommodations

SOUTH COAST • Cont’d VaCatiOn HOMes rentaL agenCies • Cont’d Serenisea Number of Homes: 21 36100 South Hwy 1, Gualala, CA 95445 707.884.3836 • 800.331.3836 serenisea.com

Beach House • Sleeps 7 Blue Haven House • Sleeps 4 Cabins 1,2,5,6 • Sleeps 2–6 Castlerock House • Sleeps 4 Colt Cottage • Sleeps 4

Cove House • Sleeps 4 Future Dreams House • Sleeps 4 Harbor House • Sleeps 4 Hawkins House • Sleeps 6 Moonstar Cottage • Sleeps 2

Moonstar House • Sleeps 4 Ridgewood House • Sleeps 6 Saunders Reef House • Sleeps 10 Sea Perch Annex • Sleeps 4 Sea Perch House • Sleeps 2

VaCatiOn rentaLs

Serenade House • Sleeps 4 Serendipity House • Sleeps 6 Vista Del Mar House • Sleeps 6 White House • Sleeps 4

CONTACT

Casa Bella Pacifica

Sleeps 8–10

707.964.4108

vrbo.com/316852

Coral Cove, Gualala Vacation Rental

Sleeps 6

925.323.1063

coralcove.net

Doug & Angela Manatt

Corey House

Sleeps 4–6

707.338.6262

vrbo.com/132631

Alex & Cathy

Dolan Rental

Sleeps 2–4

707.526.4932

vacationrentals.com/15339

Kelly Dolan

Far Niente

Sleeps 6–8

510.235.4246

vrbo.com/353236

Kauffman Rental

Sleeps 6

415.902.0424

vacationrentals.com/3868

Patricia & Joel Kauffman

Martner Rental

Sleeps 6

805.588.4224

vacationrentals.com/9021

Cecilia Martner

Morey Rental

Sleeps 6

650.493.6630

homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p167691

Cindy Morey

Morgan Rental

Sleeps 6

602.774.1607

vrbo.com/22001

Sharon

Ocean Bluff

Sleeps 2–6

925.934.3199

vrbo.com/13105

Lee

Phoenix Nest

Sleeps 2–4

510.527.5321

vrbo.com/12125

Pat Kirkpatrick

Sea Cliff Hideaway

Sleeps 2–4

530.295.1027

seacliffhideaway.net

Judy Orchard

Sea Croft

Sleeps 8

415.265.7429

vrbo.com/324305

Sea Escape

Sleeps 6

707.293.4053

seaescape-elk.com

Seamus Harahan

Sea Shell Inn

Sleeps 50

707.882.2000

mendocinoseashellinn.com

Tammy Kipp/Mike Shanhart

Sea Watch Vacation Rental

Sleeps 4–5

510.525.0628

homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p182771

Gary Amado

Seascape

Sleeps 6

707.937.5033

vrbo.com/275398

Shalimere

Sleeps 2–4

vrbo.com/288014

Shiosai

Sleeps 4

415.734.8124

vrbo.com/264451

St. Clair House, Irish Beach

Sleeps 4–6

925.939.9343 • 415.971.1914

Lorie

Donna M. Dell

Surf Perch

Sleeps 6

707.481.5257

vrbo.com/20373

Lee Mackie

Truter Home at Irish Beach

Sleeps 4–6

707.573.8296

vrbo.com/10719

Margaret Truter

White Water Cove

Sleeps 2–4

530.753.2504

vrbo.com/147351

Michael & Kim

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Mendocino County Accommodations

Ocean View

Breakfast

•

$–$$$

•

$$$

•

$$–$$$

•

Family-Friendly

Fireplace

•

Pet-Friendly

Wi-Fi

•

$ = $99 or less; $$ = $100–$149; $$$ = $150–$250; $$$$ = $250+

Handicap Accessible

Pool/Spa

Restaurant/Bar

Price Range

NORTH COAST For the most current accommodations information, go to www.visitmendocino.com. Visit Mendocino County and Striker Media Group have made every effort to present accurate information in this listing but assume no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions. All daily room rates are subject to change without notice and may not be available in high season.

Bed & Breakfast Alegria Oceanfront Inn & Cottages

$$–$$$$

Atrium Bed & Breakfast

Bettilou’s Inn Blair House

44781 Main Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.5150 • 800.780.7905 • oceanfrontmagic.com 700 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.9440 • 800.287.8392 • atriumbnb.com 9600 Brewery Gulch Drive • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.2193 • bettilouinn.com 45110 Little Lake Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.1800 • 800.699.9296 • blairhouse.com

Country Inn B & B

632 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.3737 • 800.831.5327 • beourguests.com

Dennen’s Victorian Farmhouse

uuu 7001 North Highway 1 • Little River, CA 95456 707.937.0697 • 800.264.4723 • victorianfarmhouse.com

Fensalden Inn

33810 Navarro Ridge Road • Albion, CA 95410 707.937.4042 • 800.959.3850 • fensalden.com

•

$$–$$$$

•

$$$

•

Grey Whale Inn

$$$

•

uuu

$$$

•

$–$$$$

•

Raku House Inn

$–$$$

Sea Gull Inn Bed & Breakfast

$–$$$

10453 Howard Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.4431 • 800.354.4431 • headlandsinn.com

Inn at Schoolhouse Creek

uuu $$$–$$$$ 7051 North Highway 1 • Little River, CA 95456 707.937.5525 • 800.731.5525 • schoolhousecreek.com

John Dougherty House

uuu

45170 Little Lake Road • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.5266

Joshua Grindle Inn

44800 Little Lake Road • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.4143 • 800.474.6353 • joshgrin.com

•

$$–$$$

•

uuuu $$$–$$$$

Mendocino Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast

43410 Comptche-Ukiah Road • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.0241 • 800.475.1536 • mendocinofarmhouse.com

Nicholson House Inn

951 Ukiah Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.0934 • 877.937.0934 • nicholsonhouse.com 44800 Main Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.5150 • 800.780.7905 • rakuhouse.com 44960 Albion Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.5204 • 888.937.5204 • seagullbb.com

Sea Rock Bed & Breakfast Inn & Spa

11101 Lansing Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.0926 • 800.906.0926 • searockinn.com

•

$$–$$$

Headlands Inn

•

615 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.0640 • 800.382.7244 • greywhaleinn.com

•

$–$$

Glass Beach B&B Inn

726 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.6774 • glassbeachinn.com

•

uuu $$$–$$$$

• Affordably indulgent…the perfect B&B…make your Mendocino Coastal stay memorable…breakfast served to the privacy of your room each morning, beds that you won’t want to get out of…attentive personal care…you’ll never want to go home.

• Welcome to Headlands Inn, a distinctive bed and breakfast in the heart of picturesque, coastal Mendocino Village. Casual elegance awaits you at this historic New England-style Victorian, where personalized service, charming accommodations, and tantalizing breakfasts ensure a perfect getaway!

•

• •

•

HOteL/MOteL/inn Agate Cove Inn

uuu

Albion River Inn

uuu $$$–$$$$

11201 Lansing Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.0551 • 800.527.3111 • agatecove.com 3790 North Highway 1 • Albion, CA 95410 707.937.1919 • 800.479.7944 • albionriverinn.com

America’s Best Value Inn Sea Bird Lodge uu 191 South Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.937.1919 • 800.345.0022 • seabirdlodge.com

$$$

$–$$

•

• •

•

The Seabird Lodge offers impeccably clean and very comfortable guest rooms. Start your day with a light breakfast of freshbaked muffins, yogurt and juice. Our friendly staff is eager to help with sightseeing and activity ideas. End your day with a dip in our indoor pool or a relaxing soak in the hot tub. AHH!

VisitMendocino.com

Mendocino County Accommodations

Pet-Friendly

Family-Friendly •

•

Barbeque with friends as the sun sets; walk across historic Pudding Creek Trestle to Glass Beach or to downtown Fort Bragg for a shopping spree; ride the Skunk Train into the heart of the redwoods…come enjoy life “On The Beach” at the Beachcomber Motel.

•

Situated on 6 acres of beautifully landscaped California coast, we offer convenient access to the Skunk Train, Pudding Creek Beach, and the beautiful Mackerricher State Park. Enjoy our beautiful oceanview rooms, indoor heated swimming pool, and nearby outdoor activities.

•

Breakfast

•

Ocean View

•

Fireplace

•

Wi-Fi

•

Pool/Spa

Restaurant/Bar

$ = $99 or less; $$ = $100–$149; $$$ = $150–$250; $$$$ = $250+

Handicap Accessible

Price Range

NORTH COAST • Cont’d For the most current accommodations information, go to www.visitmendocino.com. Visit Mendocino County and Striker Media Group have made every effort to present accurate information in this listing but assume no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions. All daily room rates are subject to change without notice and may not be available in high season.

HOteL/MOteL/inn • Cont’d The Andiron

$$–$$$

$–$$$

uuu 1111 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.2402 • 800.400.7873 • thebeachcombermotel.com

Best Western Vista Manor Lodge

Blackberry Inn

$$–$$$$

Blanchard House

$$–$$$

Blue Heron Inn

6051 North Highway 1 • Little River, CA 95456 707.937.1543

Beach House Inn

100 Pudding Creek Road • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.961.1700 • 888.559.9992 • beachinn.com

Beachcomber Motel

1100 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.4776 • 800.821.9498 • bestwestern.com

44951 Larkin Road • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.5281 • 800.950.7806 • blackberryinn.biz 8141 North Highway 1 • Little River, CA 95456 707.937.1627 • blanchardhouse.com 390 Kasten Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.4323 • theblueheron.com

Brewery Gulch Inn

uuuu $$$–$$$$ 9401 North Highway 1 • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.4752 • 800.578.4454 • brewerygulchinn.com

• • •

•

Cleone Gardens Inn

$$–$$$

•

Coast Inn & Spa

•

Colombi Motel

Cottages at Little River Cove

$$$

Dolphin Isle Marina & RV Park

•

$–$$$

•

24600 North Highway 1 • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.2788 • 800.400.2189 • cleonegardensinn.com 18661 North Highway 1 • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.2852 • coastinnspa.com 647 East Oak Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.8015 • colombimotel.com 7533 North Highway 1 • Little River, CA 95456 707.937.5339 • cottagesatlittlerivercove.com 32399 Basin Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.4113

Ebb Tide Lodge

250 South Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.5321 • ebbtidelodge.com

Emerald Dolphin Inn

uuu 1211 South Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.6699 • 866.964.6699 • emeralddolphin.com

Harbor Lite Lodge

uuu

$–$$$

•

Hill House Inn

uuu

$$–$$$

•

250 Highway 20 • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.1100 • 888.890.0224 • hiexpress.com/fortbraggca

$$–$$$

•

Howard Creek Ranch

$–$$$

Holiday Inn Express Fort Bragg

40501 North Highway 1 • Westport, CA 95488 707.964.6725 • howardcreekranch.com

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

•

• •

•

$$–$$$$

10701 Palette Drive • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.0554 • 800.422.0554 • hillhouseinn.com

•

uuu

120 North Harbor Drive • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.0221 • 800.643.2700 • harborlitelodge.com

•

Set high on a bluff overlooking the rugged North Coast, this romantic AAA Four Diamond craftsman-style inn was built in 2001. All rooms feature luxurious amenities, ocean views, fireplaces, flat-panel TVs with DVD players and iPod docks. Includes gourmet breakfast and wine hour with light dinner buffet.

•

Glendeven Inn & Wine Bar(n)

8205 North Highway 1 • Little River, CA 95456 707.937.0083 • 800.822.4536 • glendeven.com

•

Caspar Inn

14957 Caspar Road • Caspar, CA 95420 707.964.5565 • casparinn.com

•

• •

•

• •

•

79 clean comfortable rooms with private balconies. 59 rooms overlook Noyo Harbor. Wi-Fi Internet and continental breakfast including fresh waffles, oatmeal, hard boiled eggs (on weekends), house made granola, and fruit along with the usual items add extra value to our competitive rates.

• •

•

Comfortable & immaculate rooms near magnificent ocean cliffs, some with romantic jetted spa tubs and fireplaces. Pets welcome in designated rooms. 18-hole miniature golf course & arcade on site. Discounted vacation packages and tickets available for Skunk Train, Charter Boats, and Botanical Gardens.

Located near downtown Fort Bragg and only 8 miles from Mendocino Village, 2 miles from Skunk Train, and just minutes from several beautiful State Parks, this is the place to stay and play for both leisure and business travelers.

Mendocino County Accommodations

$–$$$$

•

Living Light Inn

$$–$$$

•

Family-Friendly

•

Pet-Friendly

Little River Inn Resort & Spa

Breakfast

•

Ocean View

$$$

Fireplace

Wi-Fi

Handicap Accessible

Inn at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

$ = $99 or less; $$ = $100–$149; $$$ = $150–$250; $$$$ = $250+

Pool/Spa

Price Range

Restaurant/Bar

NORTH COAST • Cont’d

•

HOteL/MOteL/inn • Cont’d 45300 Point Cabrillo Drive • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.6124 • 866.937.6124 mendocinolighthouse.pointcabrillo.org 7901 Highway 1 • Little River, CA 95456 707.937.5942 • 888.INN.LOVE • littleriverinn.com

533 East Fir Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.1384 • 877.964.1384 • livinglightinn.com

•

$–$$$$

•

$–$$

•

uuu

$$$

•

Mendocino Village Cottages

45320 Little Lake Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.0866 • mendocinovillagecottages.com 1005 South Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.962.2500 • 866.962.2550 • northcliffhotel.net

Noyo Harbor Inn

500 Casa del Noyo Drive • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.961.4200 • 855.292.4200 • noyoharborinn.com

•

$$–$$$$

•

$–$$$

•

Ocean View Lodge

uu 1141 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.1951 • 800.643.5482 • oceanviewlodging.com

Oceanside Inn & Suites

820 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.4061 • 800.964.9382 • oceansideinnandsuites.com

• •

uuu $$$–$$$$

Pine Beach Inn

16801 North Highway 1 • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.5603 • 888.987.8388 • pinebeachinn.com

$–$$

•

400 South Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.4761 • 800.524.2244 • qualityfortbragg.com

•

$$$–$$$$

•

The North Cliff Hotel is perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the mouth of the Noyo River. All rooms have dramatic ocean views, balconies and fireplaces. Most rooms have whirlpool tubs. A breakfast tray and newspaper are delivered to your room each day. Free wireless Internet.

•

The only boutique hotel in Noyo Harbor, Noyo Harbor Inn provides the intimate setting of a small bed and breakfast, while offering one-of-a-kind amenities, custom vacations, and events for business or celebration.

•

Sea Foam Lodge

$$–$$$$

Silver’s Wharf & Anchor Lodge

$–$$

•

6751 North Highway 1 • Little River, CA 95456 707.937.1827 • 800.606.1827 • seafoamlodge.com 32260 North Harbor Drive • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.0569 • silversatthewharf.com

Super 8

•

Surf Motel & Gardens

$–$$$

Surf & Sand Lodge

$–$$$

•

Sweetwater Spa & Inn

$$–$$$$

Travelodge

$–$$

888 South Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.4003 1220 South Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.5361 • 800.339.5361 • surfmotelfb.com 1131 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.9383 • surfsandlodge.com 44840 Main Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.4076 • 800.300.4140 • sweetwaterspa.com 763 North Main Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.4787 • 800.578.7878 • travelodge.com

The Weller House Inn

524 Stewart Street • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.4415 • wellerhouse.com

uuu

$$–$$$

•

• •

•

Where the North Coast’s history and natural beauty meet. Perched on the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by lush gardens, each room has a view of the sea. Unwind, sip a martini, or swing a golf club with the friendliest staff on the coast.

•

45080 Main Street• Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.0511 • 800.548.0513 • mendocinohotel.com

Quality Inn & Suites—Tradewinds

•

The Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites

45150 Little Lake Road • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.2677

•

uuu 45020 Albion Street • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.0289 • 800.609.0492 • maccallumhouse.com

Packard House

•

$$$

MacCallum House Inn & Suites

North Cliff Hotel

•

• •

•

Lodge at historic Weller House Inn, enjoy our Redwood Ballroom, gardens, and water tower—the high point in town. Fine guest rooms all have private baths. Delicious breakfast served in original dining room. On quiet street, a short stroll to downtown Fort Bragg, restaurants, Skunk Train and Glass Beach.

VisitMendocino.com

Mendocino County Accommodations

Ocean View

Breakfast

•

Family-Friendly

Fireplace

•

Pet-Friendly

Wi-Fi

Pool/Spa

$ = $99 or less; $$ = $100–$149; $$$ = $150–$250; $$$$ = $250+

Restaurant/Bar

Price Range

Handicap Accessible

HOteL/MOteL/inn • Cont’d Westport Hotel

38921 North Highway 1 • Westport, CA 95488 707.964.3688 • 877.964.3688 • westporthotel.com

•

$$–$$$

•

resOrts uuuu $$$–$$$$ 44850 Comptche Ukiah Road • Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.5615 • 800.331.8884 • stanfordinn.com

•

Stevenswood Spa Resort

$–$$$$

•

Stanford Inn by the Sea

8211 North Highway 1 • Little River, CA 95456 707.937.2810 • 800.421.2810 • stevenswood.com

uuuu

Mendocino’s premier eco-resort; small, romantic, set in certified organic gardens overlooking Mendocino Bay with wood-burning fireplaces, complimentary breakfast, fitness room, pool, massage, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, award-winning dining. Wi-Fi. River and Nature tours. Pets welcome.

CaMpgrOunds Pomo Campground & RV Park

17999 Tregoning Lane • Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.3373 • pomorv.com

•

Our 17-acre premier park is located a few minutes from the beautiful Mendocino coast. Open year-round, we offer cable TV, mail and message service, Wi-Fi, and tables and fire rings at each site.

VaCatiOn HOMes rentaL agenCies Coast Getaways

Baleen • Sleeps 6 Beach House • Sleeps 4 Crane Dance • Sleeps 10 Fairy Ring Cottage • Sleeps 6 La Puerta del Mar • Sleeps 8 Larkin Cottage • Sleeps 2

Little River Redwoods • Sleeps 8 Marebello • Sleeps 2 Mermaids Cove • Sleeps 8 Ocean Breeze • Sleeps 8 Ocean Sonata • Sleeps 7 Pacific Mists • Sleeps 4

Palette House • Sleeps 6 Redwood Rest • Sleeps 6 S.S. Frolic • Sleeps 6 Sandrahla Estates • Sleeps 2–28 Sky Song • Sleeps 6

Alderwood House • Sleeps 6 Chaman Point House • Sleeps 4 Colby Reef Cottage • Sleeps 4 Cypress Cove • Sleeps 2–4

Edge by the Sea • Sleeps 8 Hayloft • Sleeps 2 Ocean Splendor • Sleeps 2 Sea Breeze • Sleeps 6

Sea Haven • Sleeps 6 Whale Song • Sleeps 6

Mendocino View

Number of Homes: 4 P.O. Box 337, Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.4076 • 800.300.4140 • mendocinoview.com

Mendocino View East • Sleeps 4 Mendocino View West • Sleeps 2

Ohana • Sleeps 2–6 Redwood Cottage • Sleeps 2–4

Robison Properties

Number of Homes: 12 P.O. Box 107, Comptche, CA 95427 800.359.4649 • mendocinovacationhomes.com

Beach Hideaway • Sleeps 8 Beacon Guest House • Sleeps 12 Beams End • Sleeps 6 Cypress Cove • Sleeps 6

Harbor View • Sleeps 6 Mendocino Redwood Retreat • Sleeps 6 Pacific View • Sleeps 16

Seal Point • Sleeps 6 Surf Song • Sleeps 2–4

Taylor’s Grove • Sleeps 4–6 Wine Barrel • Sleeps 2

Sea Breeze Vacation Rentals

Casa Bella Pacifica • Sleeps 10 Seashine • Sleeps 6

Gray Whale • Sleeps 10 Greenwood Beach Cottage • Sleeps 5 Ocean Mystique • Sleeps 6 Pine Beach House • Sleeps 6 Quail Crossing • Sleeps 6

Right Time Right Place • Sleeps 10 Rocking Horse Ranch • Sleeps 4 Sand Dollar • Sleeps 2 Sea Cove • Sleeps 10 Sea Dream • Sleeps 10 Sea Mist • Sleeps 6

Shell Seeker • Sleeps 14 Whale Rock • Sleeps 6 Windrift Cottage • Sleeps 4

Number of Homes: 32 P.O. Box 1355, Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.9200 • 800.525.0049 • coastgetaways.com

Eclectic vacation homes along 30 miles of Pacific coastline in a variety of styles and sizes to tickle your fancy. Let our friendly, professional, knowledgeable staff match you with the perfect vacation home to enjoy the treasures of Mendocino.

Spring Ranch & Barn Loft • Sleeps 13–15 Tide Pool • Sleeps 6 Tides Turn • Sleeps 10 Whale Song • Sleeps 6

Mendocino Coast Reservations Number of Homes: 37 45084 Little Lake Street, Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.5033 • 800.262.7801 • mendocinovacations.com Mendocino Preferred Vacation Rentals

Number of Homes: 10

P.O. Box 762, Mendocino, CA 95460 707.937.1456 • 800.942.6300 • mendocinopreferred.com

Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707.964.4108 • sea-breeze-vacations.com

Number of Homes: 2

Shoreline Vacation Rentals Number of Homes: 21 18300 Old Coast Highway, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 888.942.8284 • shorelinevacations.com

Aqua Drama • Sleeps 8 Arabesque • Sleeps 12 Away at Sea and River • Sleeps 8 Blue Heron • Sleeps 10 Chanticleer • Sleeps 8 Cleone Country Estate • Sleeps 8

VaCatiOn rentaLs

CONTACT

A New World

Sleeps 2–8

916.799.9199

vrbo.com/207990

Robert Calvert

Abalone Arch

Sleeps 2–9

707.937.4010

abalonearch.com

Wendy Pollock

Antioch Ranch

Sleeps 6–8

877.460.7095

antiochranch.com

Jerry, Pat Westfall

Artists Retreat

Sleeps 8–10

707.937.1270

vrbo.com/238403

Erin & Tomas Dertner

707.937.5701

kathysmendocinocottages.com/thebarn.php

Kathy Kiefer

Beach House on the Mendocino Coast

Sleeps 7

707.528.2434

homeaway.com/314012

Ruth Freis

Beggs-Bishop

Sleeps 2

707.937.2353

beggs-bishopcottage.com

Kathleen & Mike

Blue Water Views

Sleeps 6

925.634.6541

vrbro.com/148355

Lawrence, Renee Moglia

The Barn

Bluff House & Bluff Cottage

Sleeps 2–4

707.937.0551 • 800.527.3111

agatecove.com/bluff.html

Laraine Galloway

Carole’s Cove in South Caspar

Sleeps 6

510.724.2420

Carole Dutra

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Mendocino County Accommodations

NORTH COAST • Cont’d VaCatiOn rentaLs • Cont’d Caspar Coast House

Sleeps 10+

707.964.7327

vrbo.com/74887

Birdie Holmes

Creekside

Sleeps 2–10

707.964.7275

vrbo.com/79587

Jeanie Mokma

Cypress Dunes

Sleeps 1–6

916.685.1453

vacationrentals.com/50560

Jannelle Key

Dirk’s Place

Sleeps 1–2

707.937.5701

kathysmendocinocottages.com/dirksplace.php Kathy Kiefer

Dolphin House

Sleeps 2–4

707.937.4143 • 800.474.6353

joshgrin.com

Cindy, Charles Reinhart

Dragonmist Estate

Sleeps 1–16

707.937.3686 • 888.930.3686

vrbo.com/213704

Gary & Toni Taff

For the Joy of It

Sleeps 1–2

707.937.4546

artsforhealingmendocino.com

Garden by the Sea

Sleeps 4

888.942.8284

shorelinevacationrentals.com

Greenwood Beach

Sleeps 5

707.964.1444

shorelinevacationrentals.com

Grindle Victorian House

Sleeps 2–4

800.GRINDLE

joshgrin.com

C. Reinhart

Headlands House

Sleeps 1–6

707.444.8597

showvacationrentals.com/32342

Ruth Schell

Heinzer’s Irish Beach Home

Sleeps 10+

916.446.4618

web.me.com/heinzersirishbeach

Jon, Diane Heinzer

Holly’s Bluff

Sleeps 8

707.964.6661

fortbraggrentall.com

Holly Kuchar

Kathy’s Mendocino Cottages

Sleeps 2

707.937.5701

kathysmendocinocottages.com

Kathy Kiefer

Kibesillah Vacation Rental

Sleeps 6

916.224.0033

kibesillah.com

Carla Virdee

La Petite Maison

Sleeps 2–4

707.937.3465

alapetitemaison.com

Mary Zama

Le Faux

Sleeps 2

707.964.4622

lefauxmendocino.com

Tanya

Lupe Gorden House

Sleeps 4

707.937.4143

joshgrin.com

Joshua Grindle

Marigold Cottage

Sleeps 2

707.322.4955

vrbo.com/193980

Lisa Walters

McDowell Rental

Sleeps 8

530.284.7532

vrbo.com/268834

Dolores McDowell

Mendo Redwood Retreat

Sleeps 6

800.359.4649

vrbo.com/65753

Mendocino Seaside Cottage

Sleeps 2–10

800.944.3278

romancebythesea.com

Mel Leckey

Mendocino Tower

Sleeps 4

707.937.4702

mendocinotower.com

Wendy, Don Roberts

Northern Riviera

Sleeps 6

805.588.4224

thenorthernriviera.com

Cecilia Martner

Oceanbluff Vacation Rental

Sleeps 2–6

925.934.3199

oceanbluff.com

Lee Kempter

Quiet Meadow Cottage

Sleeps 4

707.937.1113

tw.mcn.org/vacationrental

Tom Wodetski

Reeves Garden Cottage

Sleeps 2

707.397.5665

mendocottage.com

Arlo Reeves

Riddle Resort, LR

Sleeps 1–10

707.964.1444

shorelinevacationrentals.com

Sallie & Eileen’s Place

Sleeps 6

707.937.2028 • 888.757.5223

seplace.com

Sallie, Eileen

Sea Escape Vacation Home

Sleeps 6

707.293.4053

myseaescape.com

Seamus Hanrahan

Sea Garden

Sleeps 8

510.547.2939

homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p169537

Sea Haven Cottage, LR

Sleeps 1–6

800.942.6300

mendocinopreferred.com

Sea Ridge Vacation Home

Sleeps 8

858.755.2699

searidgerental.com

Sea Sanctuary

Sleeps 4–10

707.357.3433

vrbo.com/217047

Seabreeze

Sleeps 6

800.518.4118 x7026820

homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p7026820h

JoAnn, Russ Slaughter

James Hay

Thompson Vacation Rental

Sleeps 4–6

831.239.0391

vrbo.com/88214

Van Zandt’s Redwood View Resort

Sleeps 1–8

707.895.3174

vanzandts.org

Watertower Farm

Sleeps 1–2

415.381.4499

watertowerfarm.com

Rob Fisher

Westport Beach/Mendocino Coast KOA

707.964.2964

Chris Pedersen

Westport House Vacation Rental

Sleeps 4–5

707.937.4007

thewestporthouse.com

Bill, Julie Brazill

Whale Watch

Sleeps 6

530.865.4954

whalewatchhouse.com

Harvey, Jacqueline Moranda

Whitegate Inn Village Retreat

Sleeps 8

707.937.1993

whitegatevacationrentals.com

Richard Strom

Whitewater Cove

Sleeps 4

530.753.2504 • 530.345.3005

vrbo.com/147351

Mike Finnegan, Ann Silacci

VisitMendocino.com

Mendocino County Accommodations

Fireplace

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uuu 101 Gregory Lane • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.9063 • 800.459.9911 • baechtelcreekinn.com

Pet-Friendly

Wi-Fi

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Breakfast

Pool/Spa

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$ = $99 or less; $$ = $100–$149; $$$ = $150–$250; $$$$ = $250+

Restaurant/Bar

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Handicap Accessible

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Price Range

Family-Friendly

NORTH COUNTY For the most current accommodations information, go to www.visitmendocino.com. Visit Mendocino County and Striker Media Group have made every effort to present accurate information in this listing but assume no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions. All daily room rates are subject to change without notice and may not be available in high season..

Bed & Breakfast Emandal—A Farm on a River

16500 Hearst Post Office Road • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.5439 • emandal.com

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HOteL/MOteL/inn Baechtel Creek Inn & Spa

Best Western

$–$$

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Brooktrails Lodge

$–$$

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Budget Inn

Edgewood Motel

Lark Motel

Old West Inn

Pepperwood Motel

Pine Cone Motel

17775 South Main Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.5800 24675 Birch Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.1596 44700 Highway 101 • Laytonville, CA 95454 707.984.8492

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uuu

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Western Village

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White Deer Lodge

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Holiday Lodge

1540 South Main Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.5361 1411 South Main Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.2421 1221 South Main Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.4201 452 South Main Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.2231 1350 South Main Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.5044

Super 8 Willits

1119 South Main Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.3388 • 800.817.7508 • super8.com 1440 South Main Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.4011 16680 North Highway 1 • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.5373

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1521 South Main Street • Willits, CA 95490 707.459.5914

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Located in the “Gateway to the Redwoods” we are centrally located to the Majestic Redwoods, the Mendocino Coast and California’s Greenest Wine region. We are the premier location for discerning visitors seeking a more experiential individualized travel experience that gives you a sense of local flair.

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resOrts Big Bend Lodge

63260 Big Bend Lodge Road • Leggett, CA 95585 707.925.2440 • 800.326.9469 • riversrunlodge.com

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VaCatiOn rentaLs

CONTACT

Ammendolia’s Willits Creek Cabin

Sleeps 1–4

707.459.2015

willitscreekcabin.com

Buffalo Oaks

Sleeps 6

707.472.0202

visitmendocino.com/business/buffalo-oaks

Spirit Canyon

Sleeps 4

707.468.8632

homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p292809

Stonegate Villas

Sleeps 1–5

707.925.6226 • 888.925.6226

stonegate-villas.com

Mike, Tina Halfhill

Testa Vineyards & Vacation Rental

Sleeps 6

707.485.7051

testawine.com

Maria

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

Paul, Cindy Ammendolia

PhOtO: rita Crane PhOtOGraPhy

nAViGAtinG MEndOCinO COunty

Albion Bridge

Navigating Mendocino County explore the different ways to navigate Mendocino County. Getting to Mendocino County By Air

destination; San Francisco International (SFO), 2.5–3.5 hours away; and Sacramento International (SMF), about 2–3 hours away.

The nearest international airports to Mendocino County are Oakland International (OAK), which is about 2–3 hours away by car depending on your final

The closest airport offering scheduled commercial air service is the Charles M. Schulz—Sonoma County Airport. It’s located in Santa Rosa, about 55 miles

(89 km) and an hour’s drive south of Ukiah and 94 miles (151 km) and two hours’ drive southeast of the Village of Mendocino. Major car rental agencies are located at each airport. Visitors with their own planes or access to private small-plane charters will find the county rich in convenient landing options. VisitMendocino.com

navigating Mendocino County

Anchor Bay: Lofty Redwoods Airport (53CL) Boonville: Boonville Airport (D83) Covelo: Round Valley Airport (O09) Fort Bragg: Fort Bragg Airport (82CL) Gualala: Ocean Ridge Airport (E55) Little River: Little River Airport (O48) Ukiah: Ukiah Municipal Airport (UKI) Willits: Willits Municipal Airport Ells Field (O28)

By Car Mendocino County is most easily reached by car. California 1 runs along all but a few miles of the county’s coastline and connects Mendocino with San Francisco and, eventually, Southern California on one of the world’s most spectacular driving routes. U.S. 101 neatly bisects the county. It travels north from Southern California and San Francisco, passes through Santa Rosa, and then links Hopland, Ukiah, and Willits along another beautiful (and easily driveable) route. It continues into Oregon and Washington and you can connect to Interstate 5 and reach Portland and Seattle.

By Bus Greyhound provides long-distance commercial bus service from points all across North America. In Mendocino County, it stops in Willits and Ukiah. Buses serve the county from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa (see below).

Getting Around Mendocino County By Bus Providing public transit services to an area as vast and mostly rural as Mendocino County is a formidable challenge. But the Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) has operated public transportation in the county for more than 30 years. MTA serves an area of nearly 3,000 square miles. MTA’s services encompass a combination of 12 long-distance, commuter, and local routes. There are also three semi-custom Dial-a-Ride or flexible routes.

The coast is especially well served and routes connect the coastal towns and virtually all of the primary visitor attractions there. And Fort Bragg enjoys extensive local service. Buses also connect the coast with Ukiah and Willits, the principal cities of the inland valleys, which also boast local routes. Most buses run hourly, and service is generally available from about 7 a.m. until about 6:30 p.m. Two MTA routes (including an express bus) also connect Mendocino County with the Charles M. Schulz—Sonoma County Airport and the city of Santa Rosa. From the airport, connections are available on the Sonoma County Airport Express for service to and from San Francisco and Oakland international airports. From Santa Rosa, you can connect with Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa City Bus, AMTRAK, and Golden Gate Transit (for service south to Marin and San Francisco Counties).

By Car Driving is the most convenient and efficient way to explore the county (especially through the wine country valleys, in more remote areas, and if you’re planning on camping, backpacking, or hiking). For taxi service, Hey Taxi! operates in the county; heytaxiinc.com or 707.467.1200 or 707.459.2040. Car rentals are available at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Fort Bragg and in Ukiah at Enterprise Rent-A-Car or Hertz. There is also a Hertz at Sport Chrysler in Fort Bragg.

Wine Tasting Tips Designate a driver. Driving can be challenging on narrow, winding roads, and California strictly enforces a legal blood alcohol limit of .08. A number of companies offer tasting tours for a safe and enjoyable way to visit wineries and enjoy the scenery. Tour Mendocino Wines (tourmendocinowines. com) conducts private guided outings to county wineries, Anderson Valley Wine Tour (andersonvalleywinetour.com) and Mendocino Wine Tours (mendocino-winetours.com) takes visitors on guided trips

2011/2012 Mendocino County Official Visitors Guide

navigating Mendocino County

to a variety of locations with door-to-door van service from your inn. Mendo Wine Tours (mendocinowinetours.com) offers daily tours with chauffeured service and gourmet lunches. Sample responsibly. Tasting rooms will not serve anyone who appears to be intoxicated (itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s against the law to do so). Plan (and call) ahead. This is a great way to confirm hours and find out about special events. Or even arrange a private tour (these are not offered as a matter of course at most of our wineries but are great experiences). Ask the winemaker. Experience wine country as it is meant to be experienced. Take advantage of the intimate tasting rooms hosted by owners, winemakers, and family members.

Info Centers Gualala Redwood Coast Chamber of Commerce 39150 South Highway One, Suite 4 800.778.5252; 707.884.1080 redwoodcoastchamber.com Fort Bragg Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce 217 South Main St. 707.961.6300 mendocinocoast.com Visit Mendocino County, Inc. 120 South Franklin St. 707.964.9010 visitmendocino.com Mendocino Village Mendocino Area Parks Association & Mendocino District California State Parks Ford House Museum & Visitor Center 735 Main St. 707.937.5397 mendoparks.org Ukiah Ukiah Visitor Information 200 South School St. 707.467.5766 visitukiah.com Willits Willits Chamber of Commerce 239 South Main St. 707.459.7910 willits.org VisitMendocino.com