Mendocino offers a beautiful combination of waves and wilderness making it the ultimate escape in Northern California. The four-hour drive from the South Bay may seem daunting, but the drive along the coast will take you through pastoral farmlands and stunning coastal views. The road is a bit curvy, especially on the last leg of the trip, but luckily there are many beautiful stops along the way where you can enjoy the vistas and get your bearings.

By the time we reached our destination, SCP (Soul Community Planet) Mendocino Inn and Farm, I was ready to shake off the car ride and relax. The staff was so nice, and check-in was speedy. We took our bags to our room, a newly renovated suite with a lovely sitting room boasting a comfy couch and a fireplace. A large picture window let the sunlight pour into the room and we had a nice view of the garden and a peek of the ocean. A big plus is the Inn is dog-friendly and even our dogs settled in immediately after we set them up with the goodies from the Doggie Basket filled with everything our pups might need during our stay. The room was meant to induce peace and relaxation, and it was tempting to spend the rest of the day by the fireplace with a cup of tea and a book, but of course, we had some exploring to do.

We drove to the small town of Mendocino and popped into Patterson’s Pub for a bite to eat. There was live music, beer, clam chowder, and fish & chips. The food was fine but dogs are allowed on the patio so that was a deciding factor for us. After dinner, we drove to the end of the road and watched the sun set into the ocean. Back at the Inn, we lit the fireplace and enjoyed a glass of wine. This was the perfect way to end a long day on the road.

We woke up bright and early the next morning, but the bed was so cozy, we opted to sleep in just a little bit longer. Before long, we had to rise because breakfast was being delivered to our room. A basket arrived loaded with fresh strawberries, a hearty burrito filled with eggs supplied by the resident chickens and veggies from the garden, muffins, orange juice, coffee, and tea.

Before heading out to explore, I took a walk through the gardens and visited the animals on the farm. There’s chicken feed in the lobby to be scooped up into little cloth bags if guests want to feed the chickens. I also visited with the llamas, Larry, Curly, and Moe who roam the fields on the property. I had a chance to tour the property which consists of multiple structures, from Victorian to modern, all of which house charming and comfortable guest accommodations. Another plus is the property has a charging station for electric vehicles which is a huge plus in an area where stations are rather scarce. It was one thing less we had to worry about and our stay at Mendocino Inn & Farm was totally stress-free.

Our plans were to spend a few hours at Russian Gulch State Park. The park has many easy hiking trails, and the views are amazing. Make sure to see the Devil’s Punchbowl, a collapsed sea cave which has formed a circular hole filled with blue ocean. It’s a short and easy hike, and worth the walk. We also visited the beach beneath the Panhorst Bridge; the quiet beach under the bridge is picture-postcard-worthy. And don’t miss the waterfall loop which ends with a cascading waterfall.

We headed back to the inn for lunch. Terra Farms Kitchen is Mendocino Inn & Farm’s onsite restaurant, and they are known for their pizzas. We started with a beautiful salad of edible flowers, fresh greens, and gorgeous baby strawberries dressed in a light vinaigrette. Then came the pizzas – pepperoni with chive blossoms and roasted garlic drizzled with hot honey and a wild mushroom pizza. The toppings were made with the freshest ingredients from the garden and from local purveyors and the crust was incredible – crisp, chewy, soft all at once. It was the perfect base worthy of the delicious toppings.

We headed back out to explore the town of Mendocino a bit more and to walk off the pizza. The town is almost too picturesque to be real. It looks movie-set perfect – lots of cute shops and restaurants with the ocean in the background. We stopped for a glass of wine at Café Beaujolais; they have a nice sunny garden where you can relax for drinks and a snack. We spent the rest of the day exploring hiking spots. The Headlands Trail is an easy loop with astonishing views. Another great trail is the Jug Handle Staircase. It’s an easy hike with a gradual climb to a pygmy forest.

When it’s hot here in the Bay Area, Mendocino stays cool with the coastal breeze. Pack your bags and make reservations at Mendocino Inn & Farm. Now is the time to go.

SCP Mendocino Inn & Farm
8211 CA-1
Little River, CA 95456