Location: Mendocino
Top Things to do in Mendocino
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10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Mendocino That You Shouldn't Miss
Shop, eat, and enjoy the feeling of going back in time to a simpler era as you groove to the vibes of downtown Mendocino’s hippy past and quaint New England style architecture. Find a secluded bluff, and listen to seals splashing and barking. Visit the Mendocino Art Center, started by San Francisco artists in the 1950s. Enjoy a Mendocino Theater Company performance. Stop in historic Ford House, which doubles as city museum and Mendocino Headlands State Park visitors center. Mendocino Headlands State Park winds around Mendocino Bay, and is a wildlife corridor linking coast and inland areas. Savor the spring wildflowers. In July the Headlands and city are home to the Mendocino Music Festival. Groove to the ocean views, blowholes, wave tunnels, sea arches, grottos, and tide pools as you hike the beaches and cliff trails. Along the Mendocino Headlands Trail, watch for old cross-ties from the oxen-powered railway that dumped lumber to ships below the bluff. Drive 2 miles north of Mendocino to Russian Gulch State Park for rock fishing, swimming, skin diving, tide pools, bicycling, a 36-foot high waterfall, and a Devil's Punch Bowl of churning water. Savor spring rhododendron blooms at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Take the family on the half-day Skunk Train roundtrip from Fort Bragg to inland Northspur. Bird watch at Cleone Lake, a tidal lagoon in MacKerricher State Park, 3 miles north of Fort Bragg. Enjoy MacKerricher’s wheelchair accessible nature trail, Ten Mile beach, fishing, hiking, jogging, horseback riding, and bicycling. Take the kids to Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park. Tee off at the 5,458-yard, 9-hole coastal golf course at Little River Inn, which also offers llama treks. Take the family to Little River State Park and Van Damme Beach State Park, which are near Little River Airport (KLLR). Kids love the recently renovated Point Arena Lighthouse, because they can climb to the top.
Restaurants in Mendocino
1. Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkle's Children's Books
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 70 reviews
This bookstore caters to adults and children.
Reviewed By 394kayen
This is the type of bookstore where I could spend hours browsing, but they kindly asked patrons to limit their time to 20 minutes. I quickly found the one book I was looking for and also discovered another that I had to read. They limit the number of people in the store during the pandemic and marked spots for the checkout line. This was my first time in a bookstore during the pandemic, and their precautions helped me feel like it was a safe experience. I appreciated the sign on the window requiring masks, along with one for Black Lives Matter.
2. Highlight Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
Dedicated to hand-crafted wooden furniture.
Reviewed By 659neald - Lincoln, United States
Travelled to Mendo, our favorite place in California, and visited Highlights gallery again. It is a must stop on Main street with so many high quality wood art pieces, wire scuptures, paintings, pottery and much more. Everything well displayed.
3. Mendocino Coast Massage
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Our Mendocino massage studio is conveniently located right in the village of Mendocino at 45180 Main Street directly across from the bay. We are also happy to come to your home, hotel room or vacation house serving the Coast from Fort Bragg to Point Arena. Whether you are visiting the beautiful Mendocino Coast for a few days, or live here full-time, we would love to help you feel relaxed, rebalanced and refreshed. With a genuine desire to meet your individual needs, we can offer a fabulous massage in your choice of location.
4. Mendocino Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
5. Kelley House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By ConnieLongBeach
My husband and I took the town walking tour through the museum earlier this month and it was really great. Jane was our guide and you could tell she just loves this town. She knew her history and told is in an interesting and funny way...full of fun details and facts. I highly recommend the tour. Good to book ahead if possible.
6. Ford House Visitor Center & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
The mid-19th-century home of Jerome Bursley Ford, the founder of Mendocino, today serves as a visitors center on the region.
Reviewed By Wickie2 - Concord, United States
Great overview of the history of the Mendocino area. All very interesting, including miniature model of the town.
7. Patterson's Pub
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
A little Bit of Ireland on the Mendocino Coast ...28 Crafted beers on tap ...7 Sports televisions ...The Most Well Stocked Bar North of the Golden Gate ...Traditional Pub Fare with meal service until 11pm (#1 Rating in Mendocino) ...Wednesday Night Music ...(Sorry Over 21 Only)
8. Mendocino Massage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Danielle Belinger and her staff of licensed massage therapists are certified with years of experience to provide relaxation and rejuvenation, in 4 rooms that accommodate up to 6 clients. Treat yourself to custom spa treatments in their unique "Garden Massage Studio" within walking distance from your Mendocino Inn.Danielle Belinger and her staff of licensed massage therapists are certified with years of experience to provide relaxation and rejuvenation, in 4 rooms that accommodate up to 6 clients. Treat yourself to custom spa treatments in their unique "Garden Massage Studio" within walking distance from your Mendocino Inn.
Reviewed By bobbic191
This was by far the best massage I have ever had! Phil was my masseur. I had the 90 minute Mendocino Massage. He was very professional, quiet, with a firm touch and some techniques for the feet that I had not felt before. It was great. I highly recommend!!!
9. Mendocino Theatre Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
The mission of the Mendocino Theatre Company is to produce plays of substance and excitement, ranging from the classics to the cutting edge, to nurture local talent, and to provide meaningful theatrical experiences for our local and visiting audiences. MTC is a vital component of both our coastal artistic community and the local economy. We are the embodiment of a uniquely talented group of actors, directors, designers and theatre technicians, all dedicated to creating theatrical magic within the intimate setting of our artistic home, the 75-seat Helen Schoeni Theatre.
10. Corners of the Mouth
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By sabine17093 - Mendocino, United States
Corners, as it's called here has wonderful organic veggies, fruit and everything else. It's been here forever, in an old church and a local favorite for shopping.
