A scenic coastal view with rocky cliffs, ocean waves, and a cloudy sky in the background.

Experience Mendocino

Mendocino is a perfect haven of beautiful forests, vineyards, beautiful drives, and more. Here are some of our favorite options for adding a little bit of adventure to your holiday.

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Vineyards and Wineries

Northern California is world-renowned for making some of the most innovative and impressive wines in the world. Be sure to spend some of your stay exploring some of the best wines the region has to offer.

  • Navarro Vineyard offers daily tours of their vineyard, which take you through the entire process of their winemaking, from growing the grape to putting the label on. Reservations for the tour are required and can be made here.
  • We love making a stop at Goldeneye Winery, one of Anderson Valley’s most luxurious and special winemakers. They offer everything from picnic experiences to champagne and caviar tasting, so be prepared to indulge and explore. Please book ahead here.
  • If you’re looking for a light taste of what the area has to offer, we can’t recommend the Mendovino Wine Bar highly enough. This local haunt is a gorgeous and charming spot that exclusively features local wines and limited-production vintages.

Hikes and Kayaking

The North Coast is teeming with natural wonders and adventures, right outside our door. Whether it is exploring the redwood groves nearby or more nautical adventures, below are some of our favorite outdoor activities.

People Kayaking through a cave - Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa

  • Point Cabrillo Lighthouse is just up the road from Brewery Gulch and is home to a 110-year-old lighthouse that has kept countless ships from wrecking upon the rocky shores of Northern California faithfully ever since. Now, visitors can tour this historic lighthouse and, on good days, can even make the climb to the top for an unforgettable view.
  • Just outside our doors is Van Damme State Park, featuring hundreds of acres of old-growth forest and dozens of hiking trails. Walk amongst the redwood giants that pepper our area, and enjoy the hush of these ancient and beautiful trees.
  • It would be a shame to visit the coast and not do some marine kayaking. One of our favorite adventure companies in the area, Kayak Mendocino, provides one- and two-person kayak rentals and allows visitors to explore the complex and beautiful coastline from a different perspective. See blowholes, kayak through sea caves, watch baby sea lions frolic in the shallow waves, and more by booking either a rental or a tour.

Colorful deviled eggs garnished with edible flowers - Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa

Restaurants and Shopping

While Mendocino Village may look small, it is teeming with busy restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities. Here is just a short list of some of the places that have been capturing our attention with their creative approaches to local cuisine, craftsmanship, and more.

  • Gnar Bar is our current favorite new spot for dining, offering both sit-in and to-go raw dishes that are innovative and fun approaches to vegan and seafood dishes that emphasize freshness and simplicity.
  • If you’re looking for something low-key, we love this option for thin-crust pizza that is simple, delicious, and filling. Check out Frankies for the pies, and you will leave happy, full, and satisfied.
  • If you’re looking for something more upscale and romantic, we highly recommend Cafe Beaujolais, a French-inspired fine dining experience that focuses on quality ingredients and classic preparations for its menu offerings.
  • If you want something that is equally elegant but a bit more daring, we cannot recommend Raven highly enough. This restaurant is entirely vegan and focuses on highlighting local ingredients in their seasonally changing menus. Eat guilt-free, with sustainable options that are healthy and anti-inflammatory.
  • Creative Hands of Mendocino is one of our favorite places to go for thoughtful gifts, personal indulgences, and more, all of which are crafted by local artisans. Whether it’s a beautiful and warm handmade quilt, fragrant and restorative candles made with local beeswax, or art that captures Northern California’s rugged beauty, this shop has it all.
  • Look no further than Folklore if you’re looking for natural home goods that emphasize wood, stone, marble, and other natural ingredients to deliver organic and simple home decor and guilt-free gift items.
  • Forgot your book at home? We love perusing the novels and volumes on offer at Gallery Bookshop and Bookwinkles. The name can only capture some of the charms of this local favorite, with a beautiful view out of its bay windows and a book for everyone in the family, no matter their interest.
  • If you’re looking for an easy and delicious gift for friends and family back home, we invite you to stop by the Mendocino Jams and Preserves store for locally made jams, jellies, honey, and more, all locally sourced from native berries, plants, and bees.

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