Adventures and Things to Do
Biking
The hills, valleys and deeply forested canyons surrounding Mendocino are a mountain biker's paradise. There are dozens of developed trails where you can ride at your own pace and enjoy the magnificent towering redwoods and pines. There are also more challenging back-country rides for advanced enthusiasts. If keeping to the paved roads is more your style, the slow pace and light traffic around the village and the winding road through the Mendocino Headlands State Park could be just what you're looking for. For bike rentals and more local information, check out the link here: Mendocino Coast Cyclists and also here: Riding the Redwoods in Fort Bragg and Mendocino
The hills, valleys and deeply forested canyons surrounding Mendocino are a mountain biker's paradise. There are dozens of developed trails where you can ride at your own pace and enjoy the magnificent towering redwoods and pines. There are also more challenging back-country rides for advanced enthusiasts. If keeping to the paved roads is more your style, the slow pace and light traffic around the village and the winding road through the Mendocino Headlands State Park could be just what you're looking for. For bike rentals and more local information, check out the link here: Mendocino Coast Cyclists and also here: Riding the Redwoods in Fort Bragg and Mendocino
Kayaking
If you seek some real adventure exploring the coastal sea-caves and rocky coves, kayaks are easily rented by the hour and guides are always available. If you're unfamiliar with the area or with handling a kayak. it's a very good idea to hire a guide. You'll many sights that aren't well known, and have the additional safety of being with an expert who knows the local waters and weather patterns. During whale watching months there's a great chance you'll spot a few of the giant sea mammals as they skirt close to Mendocino on their annual migration. The local rivers and estuaries are also highly popular destinations for kayakers, whether you're seeking solitude or wish to go as part of an
organized group.
Here's a link you might find helpful: Kayak Mendocino
If you seek some real adventure exploring the coastal sea-caves and rocky coves, kayaks are easily rented by the hour and guides are always available. If you're unfamiliar with the area or with handling a kayak. it's a very good idea to hire a guide. You'll many sights that aren't well known, and have the additional safety of being with an expert who knows the local waters and weather patterns. During whale watching months there's a great chance you'll spot a few of the giant sea mammals as they skirt close to Mendocino on their annual migration. The local rivers and estuaries are also highly popular destinations for kayakers, whether you're seeking solitude or wish to go as part of an
organized group.
Here's a link you might find helpful: Kayak Mendocino
Hiking and Walks
Just beyond the doors of Mendocino Seaside Cottage, there are enough trails, wide-open beaches and mountain treks to keep you walking and discovering to your heart's content. Numerous hikes will take you through the entire range of local topography, from standing on the sand with the ocean breezes caressing you, then among ferns by waterfalls, and a short time later be under the canopy of giant redwoods on a high ridge watching fingers of mist reach into the valleys below. There are also historical sites and buildings (like lighthouses) to experience. The "Mendocino Walks" experts have a website dedicating to providing you dozens of ideas and opportunities. Check them out here.
Just beyond the doors of Mendocino Seaside Cottage, there are enough trails, wide-open beaches and mountain treks to keep you walking and discovering to your heart's content. Numerous hikes will take you through the entire range of local topography, from standing on the sand with the ocean breezes caressing you, then among ferns by waterfalls, and a short time later be under the canopy of giant redwoods on a high ridge watching fingers of mist reach into the valleys below. There are also historical sites and buildings (like lighthouses) to experience. The "Mendocino Walks" experts have a website dedicating to providing you dozens of ideas and opportunities. Check them out here.
Birdwatching
From teeming flocks of seabirds populating the beaches and coves, to more elusive owls, hawks and ospreys found in the forests, Mendocino is a major habitat for birds. As a result you'll see people everywhere with binoculars and guide books. If you're already an experienced birder, you'll have no problem adding to your life list here. If you're just getting started, you can try a short guided tour to see an amazing variety of the local feathered friends. For a great resource look at this link to local chapter of the Audubon Society.
From teeming flocks of seabirds populating the beaches and coves, to more elusive owls, hawks and ospreys found in the forests, Mendocino is a major habitat for birds. As a result you'll see people everywhere with binoculars and guide books. If you're already an experienced birder, you'll have no problem adding to your life list here. If you're just getting started, you can try a short guided tour to see an amazing variety of the local feathered friends. For a great resource look at this link to local chapter of the Audubon Society.
Horseback Riding
Real Travel Adventures Magazine calls it "...one of the last best riding opportunities in California." Lari Shea's famous Ricochet Ridge Ranch will saddle you up for the ride of your fantasies. Everything from an easy, short canter along magnificent Ten Mile Beach, all the way up to week-long trail rides covering dozens of miles through untouched backwoods wilderness and winding atop majestic coastal overlooks. Riders from both Western and English styles are accommodated, and if you'd like to arrange a group excursion or special occasion event, just ask. Many experienced visitors to this area claim that if you really want to see the secret places of the Mendocino region, get on a horse! Find out more by clicking on this link.
Real Travel Adventures Magazine calls it "...one of the last best riding opportunities in California." Lari Shea's famous Ricochet Ridge Ranch will saddle you up for the ride of your fantasies. Everything from an easy, short canter along magnificent Ten Mile Beach, all the way up to week-long trail rides covering dozens of miles through untouched backwoods wilderness and winding atop majestic coastal overlooks. Riders from both Western and English styles are accommodated, and if you'd like to arrange a group excursion or special occasion event, just ask. Many experienced visitors to this area claim that if you really want to see the secret places of the Mendocino region, get on a horse! Find out more by clicking on this link.
Wine Tasting
The Mendocino area is wine country, and wines tours are a daily event year-around. You'll find traditional wineries in the Anderson Valley with vineyards covering rolling hills, but also one-of-a-kind tasting rooms like the dramatic seaside-clifftop location of the remote Pacific Star Winery. You can choose a self-guided tour and meander though the wineries and tasting rooms at your own pace, or there are multiple operators with comfortable limousines and mini-buses offering chauffeur driven itineraries including tasting rooms, vineyard visits, and even stop-overs for lunch at charming cafes and restaurants. The main problem might be making up your mind about which tour to choose! To get started, go to the Anderson Valley.org website and see an overview of the numerous options.
The Mendocino area is wine country, and wines tours are a daily event year-around. You'll find traditional wineries in the Anderson Valley with vineyards covering rolling hills, but also one-of-a-kind tasting rooms like the dramatic seaside-clifftop location of the remote Pacific Star Winery. You can choose a self-guided tour and meander though the wineries and tasting rooms at your own pace, or there are multiple operators with comfortable limousines and mini-buses offering chauffeur driven itineraries including tasting rooms, vineyard visits, and even stop-overs for lunch at charming cafes and restaurants. The main problem might be making up your mind about which tour to choose! To get started, go to the Anderson Valley.org website and see an overview of the numerous options.
Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs
If you can't find a dining experience to suit your taste in the Mendocino area, you're simply not hungry. The choices are too numerous to list, but it's an easy bet that any cuisine, any style, and within any budget can be found nearby. It's also a good idea to ask local people where they like to eat...sometimes you'll hear of a hidden gem. Mendocino Seaside Cottage is an easy stroll into the historic heart of the village, and within just a few block radius there are dozens of fantastic restaurants as well as more casual delis, coffee shops and grocery stores if that's what suits your wishes. Bon Appetit!
If you can't find a dining experience to suit your taste in the Mendocino area, you're simply not hungry. The choices are too numerous to list, but it's an easy bet that any cuisine, any style, and within any budget can be found nearby. It's also a good idea to ask local people where they like to eat...sometimes you'll hear of a hidden gem. Mendocino Seaside Cottage is an easy stroll into the historic heart of the village, and within just a few block radius there are dozens of fantastic restaurants as well as more casual delis, coffee shops and grocery stores if that's what suits your wishes. Bon Appetit!
Art Galleries and Shops
Perhaps it's the unfailingly majestic scenery. Perhaps it's the carefully preserved historic charm of the local architecture. Maybe it's just the overall magic of Mendocino, but the area is definitely a magnet for artists of every kind. Everywhere there are galleries, museums, Artists in Residence, classes, and special events celebrating the art world. The Mendocino Art Center is the beating heart of the entire art community, and will be a valuable resource if you are seeking more information about where to go and what to see. It's no surprise that many visitors find they just can't leave Mendocino without bringing along at least one piece of charming art from a local creator.
Perhaps it's the unfailingly majestic scenery. Perhaps it's the carefully preserved historic charm of the local architecture. Maybe it's just the overall magic of Mendocino, but the area is definitely a magnet for artists of every kind. Everywhere there are galleries, museums, Artists in Residence, classes, and special events celebrating the art world. The Mendocino Art Center is the beating heart of the entire art community, and will be a valuable resource if you are seeking more information about where to go and what to see. It's no surprise that many visitors find they just can't leave Mendocino without bringing along at least one piece of charming art from a local creator.
The "Skunk Train"
It's one of the most unique and authentic antique train rides anywhere in the world. The famous Skunk Train thrills passengers with a stately ride up from the coastal depot at Ft. Bragg, along crystal clear wilderness rivers, through awe-inspiring redwood forests, over the coastal mountain range all the way to Ukiah, then back again! There are also special tours, food and wine events, even over-nighters. Depending on the season, the train is often pulled by antique live-steam locomotives. The train ride is one of the most popular Christmas events in the area, especially when there's been a dusting of snow in the mountains. Magical! Look up schedules, ticket prices, special deals and more on the railroad's website.
It's one of the most unique and authentic antique train rides anywhere in the world. The famous Skunk Train thrills passengers with a stately ride up from the coastal depot at Ft. Bragg, along crystal clear wilderness rivers, through awe-inspiring redwood forests, over the coastal mountain range all the way to Ukiah, then back again! There are also special tours, food and wine events, even over-nighters. Depending on the season, the train is often pulled by antique live-steam locomotives. The train ride is one of the most popular Christmas events in the area, especially when there's been a dusting of snow in the mountains. Magical! Look up schedules, ticket prices, special deals and more on the railroad's website.
Massage and Spa Treatments
After a hike, a horseback ride on the beach, some kayaking or a just long walk...how about a way to really soothe those muscles? You're in luck, Mendocino has many spas and certified massage therapists available. You can either visit one of the deluxe spas for the full treatment, or have a massage therapist come right to your suite at the Mendocino Seaside Cottage. Use this link to see some of your choices.
After a hike, a horseback ride on the beach, some kayaking or a just long walk...how about a way to really soothe those muscles? You're in luck, Mendocino has many spas and certified massage therapists available. You can either visit one of the deluxe spas for the full treatment, or have a massage therapist come right to your suite at the Mendocino Seaside Cottage. Use this link to see some of your choices.
Concerts, Theater and Live Entertainment
Get your tickets and maybe score a front row seat! Mendocino is a non-stop venue for live entertainment, from the summer's world-famous music festival to numerous smaller performances, band dates, and community plays. Click on the link and start planning your celebration here.
Get your tickets and maybe score a front row seat! Mendocino is a non-stop venue for live entertainment, from the summer's world-famous music festival to numerous smaller performances, band dates, and community plays. Click on the link and start planning your celebration here.