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THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA’S
CROWN JEWEL
Make it to Mendocino Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!
J
ust two hours north of San Francisco, Mendocino County needs to be on your bucket list. The county’s 90 miles not only includes some of the most gorgeous coastline in the world, but more than 90 wineries and 24 state/ national parklands. It’s the perfect marriage of wine, waves and wilderness.
STAY The Heritage House, which is snuggly nestled right into Mendocino’s rugged Pacific coastline, is rare in that it offers luxury and intimacy. With just 60 rooms – one of which is a high-end suite – the resort is able to focus on service, and giving guests the privacy to enjoy the lush gardens, cliffs, rocky beach landscapes, nearby woodland trails and more at their leisure. Recently renovated, many of the rooms have fireplaces, bathrooms with heated floors, soaking tubs, unobstructed ocean views and/or floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to private decks. The resort also features a spa overlooking the Pacific Ocean and more than 30 acres of greenery to foster the ultimate sense of relaxation and renewal. A bonus for foodies – the dining options at The Heritage House are as impressive as the views. Its signature restaurant, called 5200 Restaurant in honor of its VIP location along the Pacific Coast Highway, is among the most celebrated in all of California and boasts acclaimed chef Richard Whipple at the helm. He focuses on the farm-to-fork concept in all areas WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM
of the menu – going so far as to work with local pastures, farms and fisheries to source ingredients – and infuses American comfort foods with innovative French flair throughout.
SIP Fun fact - Mendocino County has the most acreage of certified organic vineyards in the country. To give some perspective, the County has 11 distinct designated American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), and some pending designations. In comparison, Arizona – as in the entire state – has two. While the area has several varietals of note, cabernet, chardonnay, zinfandel and pinot noir fans will be especially pleased with the area. While it’s impossible to share all the wineries of note, here are some to get you started on your first trip: Parducci Wine Cellars: The oldest winery in Mendocino County, Parducci Wine Cellars is certified organic and biodynamic. The winery is also a certified wildlife habitat. Frey Vineyards and Winery: Frey Vineyards was the first producer of biodynamic wine in the United States. Toulouse Vineyard: This breathtaking vineyard boasts views of magnificent oak trees and towering redwoods. Husch Vineyards Winery: It sits on a 60-acre ranch, and the tasting room is a converted pony barn from the early 1900s. It is covered in ivy and beautiful flowers - like a secret garden for wine tasting. Roederer Estate: The best for bubbles. Phillips Hall Winery: The tasting room is a restored barn that is surrounded by apple trees.
SEE If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Mendocino County is your Disneyland. Here is just a sampling of what’s in store: B. Bryan Preserve: Experience the rural landscape – not to mention the animals – of Africa without leaving the continent! Join the twice-daily tours to feed the rare African hoofstock— Rothschild Giraffe, Zebra, and Antelope—at B. Bryan Preserve. This remote outpost tucked into Point Arena along scenic Highway 1 also
offers an eye-popping giraffe barn for offbeat events. Pygmy Forest: From Jug Handle State Beach, step back through time as you hike the 2.5-mile self-guided nature trail called The Ecological Staircase, which explores five ocean terraces (each representing 100,000 years) that have been uplifted over time and have created this unique coastal range. Glass Beach: An anomaly that is eye-popping, visitors can seek out sea glass on Fort Bragg’s unique trash-totreasure state beach. Formerly the city dump, Glass Beach has evolved over tide and time polishing the glass from headlights and taillights, jars, bottles, and more into tiny, colorful glass pebbles. Red and blue are the rarest! Orr Hot Springs: Soak up some relaxation at this clothing-optional outpost nestled in the rolling hills near the town of Ukiah. The mineral waters flow through communal tubs, a cold pool, rooftop and private tubs. Simple lodgings are also offered as well as camping on site. Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree: Size matters. Soaring at 315 feet high with a girth of 21 feet, this 2,000-year-old towering tree is a definite showstopper. Cut in the late 1930s as a tourist attraction, the Chandelier Tree seems to defy nature, allowing autos a smooth passage through its center. For more information, go to visitmendocino.com.