Mendo Guidebook

Amy And Barry
Amy And Barry
Mendo Guidebook

Food scene

Albion Gem for sunset - Recommend eating in the bar area or outside on deck in summer! Wed - Sun 4:30 - 7:30pm
30 locals recommend
Ledford House
3000 CA-1
30 locals recommend
Albion Gem for sunset - Recommend eating in the bar area or outside on deck in summer! Wed - Sun 4:30 - 7:30pm
Fine dining along with a small friendly bar and fantastic view. On warm evenings we enjoy sitting on the lawn and watching the sun set where the Albion river meets the sea.
14 locals recommend
Albion River Inn
3790 CA-1
14 locals recommend
Fine dining along with a small friendly bar and fantastic view. On warm evenings we enjoy sitting on the lawn and watching the sun set where the Albion river meets the sea.
In the heart of Mendo Village - Amazing brick oven pizza with outdoor dining (the brickery) for lunch and indoor fine dining (Cafe B) in evening. The property also boasts a fantastic morning coffee/pastry shop (The Waiting Room)
58 locals recommend
Cafe Beaujolais
961 Ukiah St
58 locals recommend
In the heart of Mendo Village - Amazing brick oven pizza with outdoor dining (the brickery) for lunch and indoor fine dining (Cafe B) in evening. The property also boasts a fantastic morning coffee/pastry shop (The Waiting Room)
Southern Vegetarian fare in a charming garden seating. Just amazing and we promise you won't miss the meat! Definitely check out their Sunday brunch.
21 locals recommend
Fog Eater Cafe
45104 Main St
21 locals recommend
Southern Vegetarian fare in a charming garden seating. Just amazing and we promise you won't miss the meat! Definitely check out their Sunday brunch.
Our favorite lunch spot is the Sea Pal in Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg. It’s tiny and only has outdoor seating on the dock so its best on warmer days. They have, hands down, the best fish and chips in the area as well as something like 15 beers on tap.
26 locals recommend
Sea Pal Cove
32390 N Harbor Dr
26 locals recommend
Our favorite lunch spot is the Sea Pal in Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg. It’s tiny and only has outdoor seating on the dock so its best on warmer days. They have, hands down, the best fish and chips in the area as well as something like 15 beers on tap. 
Past Sea Pal towards the end of the Harbor is another great lunch spot Princess Restaurant. Super scenic as they are almost under the bridge with a little outdoor stage (live music) and sheltered outdoor seating. Better choice than Sea Pal if its too cold and windy there.
34 locals recommend
Princess Seafood Market & Deli
32410 N Harbor Dr
34 locals recommend
Past Sea Pal towards the end of the Harbor is another great lunch spot Princess Restaurant. Super scenic as they are almost under the bridge with a little outdoor stage (live music) and sheltered outdoor seating. Better choice than Sea Pal if its too cold and windy there.
Another wonderful place to watch the sunset. We recommend eating in the spacious bar area with a large stone fireplace, tables with great views often live music. There is also one firepit table out on the deck which is one of our favorite place to watch the sun go down!
Heritage House Resort
5200 CA-1
Another wonderful place to watch the sunset. We recommend eating in the spacious bar area with a large stone fireplace, tables with great views often live music. There is also one firepit table out on the deck which is one of our favorite place to watch the sun go down!

Sightseeing

The village of Mendocino is perched on a bluff where the Headlands Trail begins and follows the ocean perimeter for 2-3 miles providing stunning views. Begin the hike just across from Main St and follow it to the iconic arch (walk across it if you dare!).
42 locals recommend
Mendocino Headlands State Park
42 locals recommend
The village of Mendocino is perched on a bluff where the Headlands Trail begins and follows the ocean perimeter for 2-3 miles providing stunning views. Begin the hike just across from Main St and follow it to the iconic arch (walk across it if you dare!).
State Park so there is an entrance fee but great views, picnic area and hiking trails.
51 locals recommend
Russian Gulch State Park
California 1
51 locals recommend
State Park so there is an entrance fee but great views, picnic area and hiking trails.
A MUST DO is the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. You'll traverse ocean cliffs and paths through unparalleled gardens of Dahlias, Rhododendrons and a multitude of other treasures. Follow the signs to the ocean.
66 locals recommend
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
18220 CA-1
66 locals recommend
A MUST DO is the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. You'll traverse ocean cliffs and paths through unparalleled gardens of Dahlias, Rhododendrons and a multitude of other treasures. Follow the signs to the ocean.
Jughandle State Beach is just south of Ft Bragg. There is a little parking lot (watch close its easy to miss) where you can either take a gorgeous bluff hike (straight) or short walk down to beach (right). This is one of the most sheltered beaches so a good option on semi-windy days.
9 locals recommend
Jug Handle Beach
16224 CA-1
9 locals recommend
Jughandle State Beach is just south of Ft Bragg. There is a little parking lot (watch close its easy to miss) where you can either take a gorgeous bluff hike (straight) or short walk down to beach (right). This is one of the most sheltered beaches so a good option on semi-windy days.
Always fun (but often crowded on weekends). You’ll really see the most glass at low tide so be sure and check before going. There is no shortage of info online re Glass Beach! Best secret cove is first on left where the drainage pipe spills out. A little known plus is Glass Beach’s proximity to the coastal trail (below)
90 locals recommend
Glass Beach
Glass Beach Drive
90 locals recommend
Always fun (but often crowded on weekends). You’ll really see the most glass at low tide so be sure and check before going. There is no shortage of info online re Glass Beach! Best secret cove is first on left where the drainage pipe spills out. A little known plus is Glass Beach’s proximity to the coastal trail (below)
Hike or bike the Coastal Trail that winds through McKerricher State Park. A beautiful ocean front paved trail spans cliffside bluffs, trestle bridges and fields of wildflowers. The Beachcomber Motel has beach cruiser bikes available to rent very inexpensively. The motel is located on the trail just over the Pudding Creek Trestle Bridge where you’ll see about 20 bikes lined up outside. If its the weekend best to call first re: availability.
The Beachcomber Motel
1111 North Main Street
Hike or bike the Coastal Trail that winds through McKerricher State Park. A beautiful ocean front paved trail spans cliffside bluffs, trestle bridges and fields of wildflowers. The Beachcomber Motel has beach cruiser bikes available to rent very inexpensively. The motel is located on the trail just over the Pudding Creek Trestle Bridge where you’ll see about 20 bikes lined up outside. If its the weekend best to call first re: availability.
This is the quintessential Mendocino Beach with something for all (dogs, kids and grown-ups!). There are basically two beach experiences here as the expansive River Beach (left side of parking lot) has gradual waveless water entry for kids to enjoy safely and the Ocean Side (to right of parking lot under bridge) where the waves roll in and bonfires can be enjoyed at night.
33 locals recommend
Big River Beach at Mendocino Headlands State Park
33 locals recommend
This is the quintessential Mendocino Beach with something for all (dogs, kids and grown-ups!). There are basically two beach experiences here as the expansive River Beach (left side of parking lot) has gradual waveless water entry for kids to enjoy safely and the Ocean Side (to right of parking lot under bridge) where the waves roll in and bonfires can be enjoyed at night.