Mendocino is a quaint hamlet enveloped by breathtaking natural beauty, tucked away just a few hours north of bustling San Francisco. It is a place where life slows down, where the salty ocean breeze carries the scent of wildflowers, and the rhythmic crash of waves against the cliffs replaces the rush of the city.

You won’t find chain hotels or brand-name restaurants in this charming nook of Northern California. What you will find: small, family-owned inns and bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants housed in vintage Victorians, and spectacular views around nearly every corner.

Three Memorable Days in Mendocino

Our Mendocino stay began at the endearing SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm, where we were greeted with a smile and a platter of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies at the front desk. Almost immediately, it evoked a welcome feeling of calm and relaxation. 

Our room inside the main lodge was expansive and well-appointed with a wood-burning fireplace—a welcome sight for cozy, chillier evenings. We quickly unpacked and hurried to the inn’s farm-to-table eatery, Terra Farm Kitchen, where we noshed on seasonal homemade pizza and crispy Brussels sprouts washed down with a glass of Penny Royal Farm organic rosé.

Dramatic Devil’s Punchbowl

After a cozy night’s sleep, it was time to fully explore the area. Russian Gulch State Park proved to be the perfect launching pad. Inside the park, a short, narrow path took us to our first deep look at the rugged Mendocino coastline—one that has drawn people to its shores for centuries. As we stood overlooking a roaring sea cave called the Devil’s Punchbowl, it became clear why the endless waves crashing against rocks and cliffs were so enthralling. It was as if we were gazing upon nature’s drama queen. 

Blooms by the Sea

Later, we embarked on a leisurely stroll through the 47-acre Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, enjoying both the sights and smells of rhododendrons, azaleas, and coastal wildflowers as we wound our way to the water’s edge. The camellias had just hit their peak, and we spotted dogs, which are also allowed on the grounds, enjoying them alongside their people.  

Little River, Big Flavor

Dinner at the family-owned-and-operated Little River Inn, just a twist and a turn away from our hotel, was only outdone by the stunning ocean sunset we viewed from our table. Five-star executive chef Marc Dym’s fare was as creative as it was delicious, including the bread with a tallow candle, which melted down to an edible dip with the essence of pastrami. Of special note was the Thai-inspired fish entree made with local rock cod, which paired wonderfully with a Sunset Mule cocktail. Plentiful locally caught seafood is a big draw here. 

Exploring the Farm

The next morning, after enjoying our in-room breakfast of tasty egg bites, muffins, and coffee delivered straight to our room in a basket, we explored the Mendocino Inn and Farm’s expansive grounds. Doing the chicken dance with the farm’s 45 chickens and a couple of roosters had us cackling as we tossed feed to them provided by the inn. We strolled through the large organic garden (an ingredient source for the inn’s kitchen), waved to grazing llamas in the pasture, and took photos of the 1867-era farmhouse.

A Stroll through Mendocino Village

Strolling through the village of Mendocino felt reminiscent of what one would find on the East Coast, with the area’s Victorian architecture, boutique shops, boardwalks, and proximity to the ocean—all walkable and explorable in a few hours. Patterson’s Pub made a great stop for a tasty afternoon bite. 

But there was still more exploring to do, so off we went to the otherworldly pygmy forest inside Van Damme State Park. While no pygmies or fairies were seen during our visit, we discovered that every piece of foliage in this small area of the forest is miniature-sized due to the coastal plain. Van Damme has an exquisite fern canyon trail inside the park we longed to try, but it was temporarily closed at the time.

Stunning Sea Rock Inn

For the third night of our stay, we checked in at the picturesque Sea Rock Inn just minutes from the village. Our suite came with a stunning view of the ocean right across the street from the property, along with a pair of binoculars for whale spotting (whales now swim up and down the Mendocino coast year-round). A cozy king bed, L’Occitane bath products, and a gourmet in-room breakfast all made the stay feel exceptional.

The Sea Rock Inn is just steps away from the Mendocino Headlands trail that hugs the coastline, offering more dramatic ocean views and a pathway that guides one straight into the village. 

Victorian Charm, Modern Flavor

At the historic and luxurious Victorian MacCallum House hotel built in 1882, we enjoyed a scrumptious dinner within its airy, sunroom-like dining space. Known as being one of California’s original farm-to-table restaurants, it did not disappoint: a plate of perfectly fried chicken stole the show, along with elderflower martinis, and a praline cookie taco filled with five different ice creams for dessert.

More Mendocino Magic

Three days in Mendocino proved to offer a wonderful taste of the area. Still, there’s so much more to do and see. Head over to nearby Fort Bragg to ride the famous, historic Skunk Train, which has carried passengers through majestic redwood forests and the Noyo River Canyon since 1885. Ride electric-assisted railbikes through the Pudding Creek estuary. If you have extra time, work in a road trip north up to the world-famous Avenue of the Giants, where you can drive your car through an ancient, giant Sequoia tree. 

At its heart, Mendocino is a nature lover’s paradise, offering myriad hikes and walks along cragged coastlines, through towering redwood forests, and along rainforest-like paths. 

There are numerous fairs, festivals, and events every month of the year, ranging from the annual Mendocino County Fair to harvest days, brew festivals, and whale-watching events.  

Planning your trip

The ideal way to reach the village of Mendocino (part of larger Mendocino County) from San Francisco is by car. There are two routes to take. The first takes you through the delightful Anderson Valley with its world-class wineries and minuscule towns of Boonville and Philo, followed by miles of majestic redwood tree tunnels as you wind your way there. The second, longer route is via California’s famous Highway 1, which hugs the coastline and promises spectacular water views along the way, as long as fog banks don’t obstruct them. Either way, count on between 3 to 4 hours to make the journey, adding on more time depending on how much you plan to stop along the way.

Whether you’re sipping sunset cocktails or wandering through wildflower gardens, Mendocino offers the perfect blend of laid-back luxury and coastal charm. Craving more coastal beauty? Don’t miss House of Coco’s guide to the picturesque Monterey County.