Hi Everyone!
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Mendocino. The town is about a 3 hour drive from San Francisco, so while it does seem like a spontaneous get-up-and-go destination, it does require some planning – like obtaining a car.
Luckily, Ittai has a downright adorable Miatta that we cruised around in the entire weekend. We headed up on a gloomy and overcast Saturday ready for a weekend of total relaxation. One reason I love Mendocino: WiFi is few and far between. Bless it.
I can't really tell you how amazing Mendocino is – you just need to see and believe it for yourself. I've fallen in love with a ton of places in California and I'd have to say Big Sur and Mendocino have quickly become personal favorites.
For those who are unfamiliar with the area, I suggest you plan a trip ASAP. From the drive to the scenery, the weekend was perfect. Here are a few of my favorite spots while I was there:
Where To Stay: If you want a beautiful spot to drink in the equally beautiful scenery, the Little River Inn is the perfect place to do so. Nestled right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, the Little River Inn is an inviting and regal place like no other. Their classic Victorian architecture speaks volumes of their experience as they have greeted guests for five generations. Along with the beautiful rooms filled with cozy beds and fireplaces, Little River Inn's restaurant is the ultimate spot to snag a snack or chow down. While their menu changes frequently, my favorites included the scallops and the warm olallieberry cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream. John Sverko, Little River Inn's resident sommelier, even talked us through the wine menu helping us pick out the perfect pairings. The Little River Inn is definitely a romantic spot with generous and inviting staff. Highly recommended!
Where To Drink: I wouldn't say I'm a lush, but I definitely love wine – especially red wine! When Ittai and I made a pit stop at Lula Cellars, we were greeted by their entire staff and owner of Lula, Jeff Hansen. Known for their Pinots, Jeff treated us to a variety of tastings from their outstanding selection of wine. Lula even grows some of their own veggies on-site and if that's not cool enough, their resident dog is adorable and adds to the charm of the vineyard. Some wine highlights? The 2012 Mendocino Pinot Noir and 2013 Mendocino Zinfandel. So, so good. If you want to drink good wine with an even better story, head to Lula.
What To Do: If you're only in town for a day or long weekend, I'd suggest not doing much other than enjoying what's around you. Every corner of Mendocino is insanely magical and meant to be explored. Each beach is just calling for a photo opp and trails are a plenty there. If you're looking for a good photo and calm setting, head over to the Mendocino Botanical Gardens where you can walk around the foggy coastline and admire some beautiful flowers and plants. Most known for their Rhododendrons, the grounds are full of these pink hued blooms with a intoxicating fragrance. Another amazing place to check out includes Van Damme State Park. If you're lucky, you'll even catch some wildlife taking a much needed R&R from real-life activities.