Top Things to do in Mendocino County
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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Mendocino County, Mendocino County
Discover the best top things to do in Mendocino County, United States including Handley Cellars Winery, Mendocino Coast, Montgomery Woods State Reserve, Nelson Family Vineyards, Parducci Wine Cellars, Jughandle State Reserve, Big River, The Mendocino Tree, MacKerricher State Park, Mendocino Headlands State Park.
Restaurants in Mendocino County
1. Handley Cellars Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 131 reviews
Handley Cellars is a small family-owned winery in California’s Mendocino County. Bonded in 1982, we produce around 12,000 cases of wine a year. Our quality starts with our Estate Vineyards in Anderson Valley. We are located at the northwest end of the Anderson Valley on 59 acres of the original Holmes Ranch. Still standing on the property are the now-refurbished ranch house, barn, and the original water tower. At Handley Cellars, we offer a wide variety of wines that complement today’s diverse cuisines. Winemaker Randy Schock seeks to make balanced wines that possess distinctive varietal characteristics, wines that reflect the soil and climate in which they were grown. Handley’s beautiful tasting room is located 6 miles northwest of Philo, California, on Highway 128. We offer tours by appointment, and our garden courtyard is open for picnics. Stop by to try our selections and, while visiting, enjoy our unique display of folk art collected from around the world.
Reviewed By 909JeffH - Juneau, United States
Chris was a wonderful host and we throughly enjoyed the wine tasting at this boutique winery. He is very knowledgable about wine making and the local region. Every tasting was delicious and we didn't try a wine that we did not like! The special Pinot Noir that is a signature for Handley Cellars was the best. We joined the Wine Club and can't wait to get our first shipment.
2. Mendocino Coast
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 756 reviews
A scenic drive along California's Pacific coastline offering beaches, historic lighthouses and old-time fishing villages.
Reviewed By Martysfo - San Rafael, United States
Great cliffs, fog and quiet mark this coast. It is cold and chilly, even in August. Yet it is a must see so one can step back in time to how California used to be. A bonus is the trip up through the Anderson Valley Wine Region on the way to the coast from the Bay Area.
3. Montgomery Woods State Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Reviewed By karinitabonita - Elk Grove, United States
It’s about 3 miles long. Very tall and beautiful trees and a creek. Gorgeous views!! It was 16 of us ages 4 to 75. We all enjoyed it. Trees are just all different and beautiful to look at. Highly recommended if you’re in the area.
4. Nelson Family Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
One of the most beautiful family owned ranches in Mendocino County. Over 2000 acres with spectacular views of the vineyards, Bartlett pear orchards, Olive Trees, Redwood Grove, and 200 year old Oaks makes this one of the most desired stops for wine and nature enthusiasts. We invite you to visit our tasting room where you can experience the passion you will only find in a family owned boutique winery.
Reviewed By mikheil_a - San Jose, United States
This winery and tasting room hit all the right notes on all aspects including quality of wine, food and service. The views of the hills are also spectacular from the outdoor seating area of the tasting room. This is not your typical massive, noisy, overly crowed Napa tasting room. It's more of a private (but open to all), quieter, and much more relaxing winery instead. I can't wait to go back.
5. Parducci Wine Cellars
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 71 reviews
6. Jughandle State Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
This reserve is famous for its Staircase Trail
Reviewed By okayaway - Benicia, United States
great views on the ocean and hills. easy to find off of highway 1 and a few great easy hikes out to the ocean cliffs.
7. Big River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
A beautiful estuary in which to observe nature.
Reviewed By KarinaL101
We walked down to this area where the river meets the ocean. People were surfing, paddle boarding and boating in kayaks. The beach area was immense.
8. The Mendocino Tree
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
A coast redwood growing in Montgomery Woods State Reserve near Ukiah, is the tallest known tree in the world. It stands five stories higher than the Statue of Liberty.
9. MacKerricher State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 774 reviews
MacKerricher is a great place to observe whales, and it also provides a habitat for several rare plant species.
Reviewed By GinkgoPhoto - San Francisco, United States
This review is about the Surfwood campsite experience, for families. We booked site 124, which is on a small loop. These loop sites (121,122,123 and 124) are excellent for families with young kids who want to scoot and bike around. They are spaced away from each other. There is a path from this loop towards the beach, a mere 5 minute walk away. You can see the ocean from all the sites. 124 has the best shade, as it includes a large grove of trees (good for hammocks). The ground is a little lumpy, but not noticeable with sleeping pads. 123 is probably the best site in the loop, having some shade, and the shrubbery creates a cozy, enclosed nook, with trail access to the lake straight out of the campsite. No-one's trekking through to access the lake; it's a private path. Good site if you're bringing a kayak. A grove of trees behind the site provides a play area for kids. 122 and 121 have less shade but are just fine. The spigot is at 122. This was perhaps the LEAST buggy of my camp experiences, despite lake proximity. No-one received any mosquito bites! There were a few yellowjackets; just a mere rare nuisance. No raccoons nor squirrels. The ocean was loud at night. The night sky was amazing. Bathrooms were very clean, spacious and airy. The shower is quarter operated, $1 worth of quarters buying you 5 minutes. There are longer increments for more quarters. The water temperature was at least warm-ish, ranging to hot. The lake has a marshy border, with lots of plants between the path and the water. There is a path that goes alongside the lake by Surfwood camp, but it is quite overgrown. There are fish in the lake, and one can go fishing with permits and a kayak. Not possible to fish from the shore due to shrubbery. Lots of blackberries here! Kids had the best time picking them. Quick walk to the beach. This beach is NOT good for swimming. The surf is rough. Experienced, wet-suited swimmers only. However it's perfectly fine for sitting upon. The sand is grainy, like tiny pebbles. Not the kind of tiny sand that gets into every nook and cranny. The nature area boardwalk is also close to the beach. The boardwalk is lovely and scenic, with access to tide pools. FANTASTIC tide pooling! Even at +1ft low tide, there was a lot to be found. Bring your high rubber boots or water shoes. Get out far enough and you'll find huge green anemones, bat sea stars, ochre sea stars, crabs, sculpins, abalone shells, and even gumboot chiton! Tide pooling was the highlight of my visit. No complaints. Surf wood campsite is a clean, safe and fun place to enjoy the outdoors in times of Covid and non-Covid.
10. Mendocino Headlands State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 500 reviews
A scenic and appealing rugged promontory along the California coast.
Reviewed By Abacus3 - California, United States
Beautiful views and a lovely walk. It's also a great whale watching spot. Take your binoculars and a picnic, you'll want to stick around.
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