Sea Ranch is a great spot if you want super low stimulus. It’s sortof in the middle of nowhere so all you can really do is whale watch and read and go to bed at 9pm after finding interesting sticks on the beach all afternoon.
It’s been so surreal seeing my little hometown become such a popular destination over the past several years! Mendo is such a special place and it makes me so happy to see people experience how magical it can be.
Fog Eater is my absolute favorite of the newer restaurants, I highly recommend their brunch!! And Goodlife Cafe is one of the most classic Mendo spots.
for when you visit again, or for anyone who might be visiting soon, here are my top recs:
Cafe Beaujolais / The Waiting Room / The Brickery
(start the morning with a coffee from the waiting room, get a pizza lunch at the brickery and sit in the garden, pre-dinner cocktails at the waiting room, and then dinner at the beaujolais!)
Luna Trattoria
(love their pasta and eclectic decor. be warned if you tell them it’s your birthday the entire kitchen will come out and bang pans and sing at you)
Mendocino Market
(a true local’s spot. get the philly cheesesteak or pesto veggie sandwich)
Papa Bear’s Chocolate Haus (my first ever job!! lots of great housemade chocolates, fudge, and caramel apples)
Mendocino Jams & Preserves
(life changing olallieberry jam)
Sweetwater Inn & Spa
(right next door to Luna and the Beaujolais, so you can enjoy a private outdoor hot tub + sauna pre or post dinner!)
Gallery Bookshop
(adorable store but a must see just for their resident bookstore kitty, the Great Catsby)
As for Fort Bragg the food is pretty mid overall, but Noyo Fish Company is the best spot in the harbor imo, and Jenny’s Giant Burger serves an excellent basic cheeseburger (gotta ask for grilled onions)
And finally, the trip on Skunk Train out to Glen Blair Bar in the middle of the woods is amazing, especially around the holidays. Getting a little tipsy in the redwoods and riding an old timey train back to town while looking up at the stars is a lovely way to end the night.
ok info dump over 🫡 I just love my town and watching other people experience it :,)
Happy belated birthday! It feels sort of surreal hearing you stayed at the Little River Inn and went to some of my favorite Meno spots—it’s been my family’s special place for years. My parents stayed here during their honey moon 30+ years ago, and we always come back to it when we visit!
Sea Ranch is a great spot if you want super low stimulus. It’s sortof in the middle of nowhere so all you can really do is whale watch and read and go to bed at 9pm after finding interesting sticks on the beach all afternoon.
"finding interesting sticks" - i love this
It’s been so surreal seeing my little hometown become such a popular destination over the past several years! Mendo is such a special place and it makes me so happy to see people experience how magical it can be.
Fog Eater is my absolute favorite of the newer restaurants, I highly recommend their brunch!! And Goodlife Cafe is one of the most classic Mendo spots.
for when you visit again, or for anyone who might be visiting soon, here are my top recs:
Cafe Beaujolais / The Waiting Room / The Brickery
(start the morning with a coffee from the waiting room, get a pizza lunch at the brickery and sit in the garden, pre-dinner cocktails at the waiting room, and then dinner at the beaujolais!)
Luna Trattoria
(love their pasta and eclectic decor. be warned if you tell them it’s your birthday the entire kitchen will come out and bang pans and sing at you)
Mendocino Market
(a true local’s spot. get the philly cheesesteak or pesto veggie sandwich)
Papa Bear’s Chocolate Haus (my first ever job!! lots of great housemade chocolates, fudge, and caramel apples)
Mendocino Jams & Preserves
(life changing olallieberry jam)
Sweetwater Inn & Spa
(right next door to Luna and the Beaujolais, so you can enjoy a private outdoor hot tub + sauna pre or post dinner!)
Gallery Bookshop
(adorable store but a must see just for their resident bookstore kitty, the Great Catsby)
As for Fort Bragg the food is pretty mid overall, but Noyo Fish Company is the best spot in the harbor imo, and Jenny’s Giant Burger serves an excellent basic cheeseburger (gotta ask for grilled onions)
And finally, the trip on Skunk Train out to Glen Blair Bar in the middle of the woods is amazing, especially around the holidays. Getting a little tipsy in the redwoods and riding an old timey train back to town while looking up at the stars is a lovely way to end the night.
ok info dump over 🫡 I just love my town and watching other people experience it :,)
saving these for next time! i love the specific food recs too. thank you maya!
Happy Belated Bday, Viv! ✨
thank you ang <3
Happy belated birthday! It feels sort of surreal hearing you stayed at the Little River Inn and went to some of my favorite Meno spots—it’s been my family’s special place for years. My parents stayed here during their honey moon 30+ years ago, and we always come back to it when we visit!
Happy belated bday!! I adored this, can’t wait to get up to Mendocino soon :)
thank you madison! let me know if you make the trip!!
I don’t know about dog friendly stuff, but I love a weekend trip to Monterey from SF! Also Calistoga Springs! This was such a fun read, thanks Viv!
same, i love calistoga springs! thank you laura <3
You know I love a travelogue… these are gorgeous photos!! (The light coming through the skirt !) are those on a digital cam or film?!
thank you! believe it nor...just taken on iphone :O the lighting was just very good out there i think!
omg loooove the rustic retreat 🌟❤️🔥 the pies! the fall of it all!!