I've heard that San Diego is voted as home to the nation's best weather. I can see why - the sky is almost always clear, the sun is shining and the temperature is tank-top-denim-shorts warm.
Personally, I prefer "sweater weather". If you haven't seen the SNL skit on "sweater weather", here it is. You're welcome. Mendocino County does sweater weather beautifully almost year-round and it is great.
Not only is the weather great, the scenery is a must-see too. Like most of the California coast, Mendocino is wild, rugged, clear and crisp. It's a great place to come and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Wifi is spotty so it's a great way to disconnect as well.
Mendocino is located about two and a half hours north of San Francisco. Aside from the town of Mendocino, there are other notable and visit-worthy towns in Mendocino County.
Ukiah
If counties had capitals, Ukiah would be Mendocino's. If you decide to drive to and around Ukiah, visit City of Ten Thousand Buddhas and check out their vegetarian restaurant.
Willits
Remember the movie Seabiscuit? This here is a local celebrity. You could come see where he came from when you come visit Willits. Also, this is one of the Skunk Train's terminus. If you visit during the summer, probably not while SARS-CoV-2 is still at large, you might even make it to the Willits Frontier Days for a rodeo! Imagine that: a rodeo here in California!
Albion
I love this town! I can't pinpoint a specific thing to "see" or "do" aside from the vast, sweeping panorama that is the Pacific Ocean and the beautiful California Coast. If you left the kiddos at home, make Albion River Inn your home base for exploring Mendocino County. You can thank me later.
Point Arena
Make sure you visit Point Arena Lighthouse when you're here. I think this was the very first West Coast lighthouse I've visited and encouraged me to visit others.
Mendocino
Spend a day in the Town of Mendocino. Walk around town, eat at The Good Life Cafe & Bakery and hike at Mendocino Headlands State Park. For more things Mendocino, check this blog out.
Fort Bragg
This small town has many things to offer. The Skunk Train couldn't have found a better other-terminus than Fort Bragg. As the home of the famous Glass Beach, Fort Bragg is a must-visit when you're in Mendocino. Check out this Day Trip to Fort Bragg, for more things to do.
Elk
When you drive through Elk, make sure you take the time to pull over and enjoy the awesome sight of these "stacks" or rocks jutting out from the Pacific Ocean. And if it's open, Cuffey’s Cove would look stunning in your instagram feed. And if you're looking for a place to grab a snack, the Elk Store is your best bet.
Things to Do
1. Day Trip to Fort Bragg.
2. Drive up and down the coast on PCH.
3. Wine Tasting is a another popular activity in the area.
4. Skunk Train is a great way to view the various sceneries of the area and get some local history too. It will take you from a coastal beach through a redwood forest to inland Willits. Taking the train is great when you have to deal with a stroller, or multiple kids, or you have senior citizens with you. It's also great if you just plain want to take a break from driving.
Places to Eat
6. Mendocino Village Pharmacy is also a supermarket and has a kick-ass deli.
7. Good Life Cafe & Bakery is worth the long line to order. So worth it. Try at least once. Great coffee, great pastries and great breakfasts.
8. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the super-fancy and super-great restaurant at Albion River Inn.
Where to Stay
Mendocino Hotel apparently is not just the hotel building on Main Street. The houses surrounding the hotel have been converted into suites. This is great! Our stay in one of these former houses made me more comfortable than I would have been had we stayed in one of the hotel's rooms.
Albion River Inn is perfect for couples. Also, even if you wanted to bring the kiddos, you won't be able to because they don't allow children. A lovely full service breakfast in their beautiful dining room overlooking Albion River and the Pacific Ocean is included with your night's stay. The inn is a collection of cozy cottages instead of your normal apartment building type hotel. Each "room" has an old-fashioned stove to warm up you and your room up. Warm cozy robes and a bottle of wine are waiting for you when you enter. Clawfoot tub is cute. Adirondack chairs at your own "backyard", which drops off a cliff to the ocean by the way, is the perfect spot to enjoy a West Coast sunset . Their restaurant with a binder as their alcohol menu is a must-visit for dinner.
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