Mendocino County offers spectacular views, world-class dining and lodging, a renowned wine region, award-winning breweries and a plethora of interesting finds and delights! The beauty of Mendocino, aside from the actual natural beauty, is that deals and thrills can be had for those in the know!
Certainly state, county and city parks offer wonderful outdoor opportunities, and other natural wonders include the Point Stornetta Lands in Point Arena. Check out one of the most unique beaches you’ll ever come across – Bowling Ball Beach – literally littered with large bowling ball-shaped concretions. With two lighthouses spanning Point Arena to Caspar, there is more exceptional coastline to discover. Just two miles south of Fort Bragg are the stunning Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens with a nominal entry fee. Venturing inland, the Drive-Thru Tree in Leggett is a must to check off the bucket list. In Willits, take a nature walk or sign up for a tour of the historic Ridgewood Ranch, the resting place of the famous racehorse, Seabiscuit. In Hopland, make an appointment to meander the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center – especially during wildflower and lambing seasons.
It’s just not possible to do and see it all in one day, so make the most of your time in Mendocino County and stay a few nights. There are plenty of options – from camping (there are KOAs around the County) to fun and quirky spots like the Old West Inn in Willits to beachside motels like the Beachcomber in Fort Bragg, to locally owned vacation rentals. Whether you’re traveling RV style or have your tent ready to go, you’ll find lots of cool RV Parks, campgrounds and places to rest under the stars at most of the State Parks – MacKerricher, Van Damme, Russian Gulch, Hendy Woods, to name just a few! Retreat Centers offer another option for affordable stays – like Lord’s Land Retreat in Albion, River’s Bend in Philo, and Jughandle Farm & Nature Center in Caspar.
Certainly, Mendocino County offers up some fantastic local markets and corner stores, yet some of the best places to find cheap eats are hot dog carts, taco trucks, and food shacks. Coffeehouses around the county are also a great bet for good eats, and if you find yourself in Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, you’ll find fresh fish and chips, and other seafood, plus a literal ship to table offering at Princess Seafood.
Traveling through Anderson Valley, you don’t want to miss Boont Berry Farm, a micro market that’s big on organic and local, with vegan and vegetarian options. Kemmy’s Pies in Willits is a specialty pie shop with both sweet and savory offerings. And when you head south on Highway 101, you can’t miss The Golden Pig in Hopland with their six-buck pulled pork hand pie. And just a few steps away, Bluebird Café for breakfast or lunch is the place to be with generous plates of the best diner fare. Discover all the delicious eats throughout the county!
There is no shortage of interesting places to visit in Mendocino County – like the Sea Glass Gallery and Museum in Fort Bragg that tells the sordid tale of how sea glass came to be. At Noyo Center for Marine Science, you’ll be awed by the size of sea mammal skeletons. Fort Bragg is home to the Mendocino Coast Model Railroad & Historical Society as well as the Triangle Tattoo & Museum… one of the few tattoo museums in the country! In Willits, there’s a lot of buzz about the Roots of Motive Power. You’ll also find the Mendocino County Museum, where their current exhibition tells the history of the California Grizzly Bear. In Ukiah, the Grace Hudson Museum and historic Sun House are sure to delight, as are the downtown murals that are part of the Mendocino County Arts public arts scene. The Gualala Arts Center on the south coast offers art indoors and out.
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