DISCOVER
MENDOCINO COUNTY CALIFORNIA

Mendocino County in Northern California is one of the most diverse and spectacular locals in the world!

From Victorian fishing villages that remind you of the Eastern Seaboard to unpretentious logging towns;

from rockycoastal bluffs and sandy beaches to pastoral valleys and undulating mountain ranges;

from towering giant redwoods that are thousands of years old to a pygmy forest . . .

There are many more surprises awaiting your discovery in Mendocino County!

ALONG THE MENDOCINO COAST

If you travel along the Mendocino Coast, you'll be following Highway 1 - one of the most scenic "highways" to be found anywhere!

This is the very same Highway 1 you're traveling when you visit Big Sur or Carmel by the Sea or Monterey or Santa Cruz. I put quotation marks around "highway" because it's a term used lightly here - Highway 1 in this area is a two-lane road, meaning 1 lane in each direction. LOL, but the road is good!

As you enter Monterey County from Sonoma, you'll cross the Gualala River, which empties into the Pacific Ocean at the town of Gualala (pronounced: wa-LA-la). Try kayaking the Gualala River through the redwood forests - keeping your eyes open for Osprey and River Otters!

On your way to Point Arena for a tour of the Point Arena Lighthouse, don't overlook the spectacular St. Orres Hotel & Restaurant. It was built in 1972 in a style meant to honor the area's Russian heritage, onion-domed turrets and all.

Of course, the most well-known towns along the Mendocino County coast are to the north.

I'm talking about charming Mendocino Village with its Cape Cod saltbox houses, Victorian Bed and Breakfasts, and its historic water towers of all shapes and sizes.

Then there's rustic Fort Bragg with its fishing harbor, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, and the Skunk Train.

But don't rush between Gualala and Fort Bragg!

If you do, you'll miss some real treasures like the little town of Elk (population somewhere between 80 and 250, depending on the day) which sits on the bluffs above the ocean; or Albion with its quiet beauty and breath-stealing views; or the hamlet of Little River, home to Van Damme State Park and my own personal favorite place to stay - the Little River Inn.

(CC) Peter Hess

Besides the quaint seaside villages, you'd also miss other wonderful opportunities along the Mendocino County California coast.

Like campsites overlooking the ocean; Bowling Ball Beach (guess why it's called that!); and Greenwood State Beach.

Or the tidepools along the way; Cuffy's Cove with its Druid and Catholic cemeteries; the beach, driftwood, sand dunes & grasslands of Manchester State Park.

And the B Bryan Preserve for African Hoof Stock like Grevy's Zebra and Greater Kudu Antelope.

Then, north of Mendocino Village and Fort Bragg is the "The Lost Coast"! (More about that later!)

BUT THERE'S MORE TO MENDOCINO COUNTY CALIFORNIA THAN OCEANVIEWS AND BEACHES!

Let's start with the Anderson Valley. If you're a wine lover, you probably know about Anderson Valley wineries like Husch, but did you know the Anderson Valley is famous amongst beer lovers too? The Anderson Valley Brewing Company has twice been ranked among the world's top 10 breweries!

Ukiah (largest city in Mendocino County and the County Seat) and Willits (a frontier town with personality plus) are along the inland Highway 101 corridor, surrounded by mountains, redwoods, and Pomo Indian Culture.

There's also Mendocino Lake; hot springs & mineral bath; more wineries,; camping; and the retirement home of Seabiscuit, the most famous racehorse of the 1930s.

Come along, let's do a virtual tour and find out what there is for you to love about Mendocino County California!

Please continue your exploration of what Northern California has to offer by using the Nav Bar at the left, by using the links at the bottom of the page, or by using the customized search box below to find the specific topic that interests you.

Like what you're finding here at DiscoverNorthernCalifornia.com? Then please share with your Social Network (see the buttons in the NavBar to the left, or at the bottom of the page).

For more pictures of Northern California and other great stuff, check out my facebook page, www.DiscoverNorthernCalifornia.com. Become a fan, write on my Wall, contribute to the Discussion Board, post a Review -- join in the fun!