While California is famous for its sunshine and its laid-back attitudes, the state’s north coast and its best-known village, Mendocino, have a character all its own. Rocky bluffs overlook the waves of the Pacific as they swirl around dark, craggy boulders, and much of the architecture in the coastal towns of Mendocino County resembles New England villages.
Mendocino’s cool temperatures, dramatic mists, and jaw-dropping views envelop this remote seaside hideaway in mystery, making it a terrific spot for romance. These are among the top Mendocino activities for couples on a honeymoon or a romantic getaway:
1. Hike along the ocean bluffs
Views of the raging Pacific are spectacular all along the coastline, and couples on a Mendocino vacation will find it hard to resist walking along the paths atop the bluffs. Many of the state parks that dot the coast have hiking trails. The
Little River Inn , two miles south of Mendocino, has its own hiking trail that leads directly into tree-covered Van Damme State Park and down to the beach.
2. Go canoeing or kayaking in Big River
Couples can canoe and kayak on the scenic Big River, which winds along the Mendocino coast. Some hotels make it easy, like the
Stanford Inn, which provides river access with its own dock. Guests at the inn can rent kayaks or unique redwood outrigger canoes, made by a local craftsman. For the truly adventurous,
Rubicon Adventures runs half-day, full-day, and multiple-day whitewater rafting expeditions.
3. Stroll through the botanical garden -- or take a yoga class amidst the flowers
The
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is the only coastal botanical garden in the nation. Its 47 acres are covered with amazing plants and flowers, from spiny cactus to lush rhododendrons to colorful iris, camellias, and dahlias. For something a little different, couples on a Mendocino vacation or honeymoon might want to check out the yoga and tai chi classes that are offered at the garden early in the morning.
4. Ride the Skunk Train
While this attraction’s name might sound unsavory, the enjoyable four-hour
Skunk Train ride past the dense redwoods of coastal California provides the opportunity for couples on a Mendocino trip to commune with the tallest living things on the plant. An open-air car allows visitors to get an up close look at these magnificent giants, some of them towering 370 feet into the air. One is more than a thousand years old. Box lunches are available for the half-hour stop at the scenic picnic grounds nestled deep in the forest.
5. Linger over a romantic dinner
Mendocino has many fine restaurants ideal for an intimate dinner.
Cafe Beaujolais features French cuisine with a California flair served in simple, sophisticated surroundings. Entrees include Petaluma duck served two different ways with a cherry reduction and celery root purée. The wine list complements the cuisine, with wines from Mendocino, Sonoma, and Napa as well as France.
McCallum House serves its fare inside a quaint Victorian house. Couples can eat dinner in front of a fireplace. Specialties include grilled filet mignon with green onion-bacon mashed potatoes and horseradish crème fraiche. Memorable desserts are macadamia nut tart with chocolate ganache and coconut crème anglaise.
6. Taste local wines
Napa and Sonoma are California’s best-known wine producers, yet Mendocino County enjoys the same climate and growing conditions – and produces equally distinctive wines. At
Sip! Mendocino in nearby Hopland, wine lovers can taste 18 different wines. A few miles up the coast is the
Pacific Star Winery, the only coastal winery in the west. Visitors can taste more wines and enjoy a picnic lunch right on the water. And guests at the
Whitegate Inn, a cozy Victorian bed and breakfast in Mendocino, are treated to a wine and cheese tasting every evening at five. The owner, a wine aficionado, chooses remarkable local wines and serves them with snacks like rumaki, baked brie, and an artichoke frittata.
7. Sample locally brewed beer
At the
North Coast Brewery Co. in Fort Bragg, visitors can taste microbrewed beers. The names alone make them worth sampling: rich and intense Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout; Brother Thelonius Monk, which honors the jazz legend; and Old No. 38 Stout, named after a retired steam engine. The pub-style food is also tasty, especially the thick kobe beef burgers and the garlicky waffle fries.
8. Shop for for souvenirs
Mendocino is filled with high-quality shops.
Highlight Gallery features beautifully crafted furniture, unusual pottery, jewelry and jewelry boxes, and wooden bowls by local artists. Hand-made items at Compass Rose American Crafts range from leather belts, portfolios, and wallets to colorful wineglasses. Mendocino Sandpiper is filled with jewelry, from sea glass to high quality gemstone pieces, along with abalone, a shell that’s harvested locally.
The fact that the beauty of California’s north coast attracts artists is reflected in the number of
galleries in the Mendocino area. Viewing fine examples of every medium from oil painting to photography make for a pleasant way for a couple in Mendocino to spend an afternoon.
