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 A favorite weekend getaway for Northern California Bay Area residents, the town of Mendocino is located on the coast of Mendocino County. The town has long been a haven for artists, and is famous for its art galleries as well as its restaurants and trendy shops. It is smaller and more "refined" than its blue collar neighbor to the North, Fort Bragg.

The city is sometimes called Mendocino town to differentiate it from Mendocino County.

Get in
By plane
The closest international airports are in San Francisco, Oakland, and now Santa Rosa.

By car
Do a quick search and see specific hotel locations.

From the Bay Area, the most scenic drive to Mendocino is on coastal Highway 1, winding through western Marin County and Sonoma County. A faster but less impressive alternative is to take highway 101 to the junction with tiny state Highway 128 just north of Cloverdale, then 128 to 1, about 2 miles south of the town proper. This route takes you through the Anderson Valley, which is one of Mendocino County's main wine-growing regions. Mendocino is about 165 miles north of San Francisco.

From the north, it's easiest to take Highway 1 south from highway 101 at near Garberville, through Fort Bragg. An alternate is taking state highway 20 west from Willits to Fort Bragg, then south to Mendocino.

Get around
The town is easily walkable. You will want a car for visiting nearby beaches and sights, but leave it at the hotel for more local exploring. The Headlands, the bluffs on the west end of town, are only a half-mile from the eastern part of town, which is only several blocks from north to south. Mountain bikes are another fun option.

See
A favorite pastime from February-April is whale-watching. Pods of Grey Whales are visible off the coast, migrating to and from their winter home in Mexico. This is a great time to plan your hotel stay.

Do
A selection of attractions convenient to your hotel.

The Mendocino Botanical Gardens The Mendocino Botanical Gardens at 18220 North Highway One is a seaside garden on 47 acres. It is open daily and admission is $7.50.

The Skunk Train is a train that goes into the redwood forest. It is a fun family trip.

Since 1962 Gallery Bookshop (& Bookwinkle's Children's Books, added in 1988) has been one of the main attractions of this town for visitors and locals alike. The bookstore has earned its reputation for great service and selection -- something for everyone. Under new ownership from September, 2006, the store continues to prosper and serve as a meeting place. There are children who found their first books here now bringing in their own children to enjoy the space. There is a fantastic view of Mendocino Bay from the front windows, and Mendocino Headlands State Park (complete with picnic benches for reading and eating) is only steps away.

Eat
Mendocino is a place where you definitely won't have to depend on your hotel to provide every meal.

955 Ukiah, 707-937-1955. Mendocino chic, next door to Cafe Beaujolais and equally good

Albion River Inn, 707-937-1919. Ocean views, piano music

Café Beaujolais, 707-937-5614. International reputation, Italian-leaning menu in an intimate setting

Ledford House, 707-937-0282. Sunset dining, mellow jazz

Little River Inn Restaurant, 707-937-5942. Ocean view bar, fine dining

MacCallum House Restaurant, 707-937-5763. Café, bar & fine dining set in an old in with lots of atmosphere

Mendo Bistro, 707-964-4974. Eclectic menu, reasonable $

Moosse Cafe, 707-937-4323. Great soups & salads, with a full dinner menu

Ravens, 707-937-5615. Vegetarian

Rendezvous Inn, 707-964-8142. Intimate, attention to detail

Restaurant at Stevenswood Lodge, 707-937-2810. Exceptional cuisine

Sharon’s by the Sea, 707-962-0680. A harbor-side dining treat

Victorian Gardens, 707-882-3606. Worth the drive

Drink
Your hotel is near the wine country after all.

Mendocino Wine Co. 800-860-3347. 45070 Main St. Pleasant tasting room right in town, featuring the various wines of the Parducci Winery.

Sleep
Enter the dates of your stay in the Quick Search box on this page and the available hotel rooms in Mendocino for your selected dates will be shown

 

 

 

Source Wikitravel 2008