Ah, Mendocino!

My affinity for Mendocino started developing at an early age. My Dad and his best friend, both wine enthusiasts, would plan trips with us kids north from San Diego via the California coast. I remember driving up Highway 1, stopping in Tomales Bay to shuck oysters and enjoy a picnic lunch. I must have been 8 or 10 years old. I would stare at the windy road in front of us trying not to get carsick on the 6+ hour drive. Once we were north of Sea Ranch, the road straightened out and our windows would go down. Coastline on my left, I would stick my head out the window and suck in the fresh sea air. We would drive up to our rental house just outside of downtown Mendocino, normally within walking distance of a hiking trail or the ocean. Land was abundant, and warm jackets were a must when exploring the wilderness.

The video store was a favorite visit of mine, scouring through DVDs looking for "Back to the Future" or "Look Who's Talking" trilogies. Once a trip, we would wake up early and my Mom would drive us up north of Fort Bragg to Ricochet Ranch. We would tack up our horses and enjoy a morning trail ride, ending with a trot across the sandy beach. These days, my fiance and I make the drive up to Mendocino about 4 times a year to enjoy a long weekend escape from bustling San Francisco. We stay downtown at The Maccallum House or down Highway 1 at the Glendeven Inn in Little River.

The historic town of Mendocino has been carefully preserved. Originally a logging community for New England settlers, the economy took a nose dive in the 1940s. The revitalization began when Bill Zacha founded the Mendocino Art Center in 1959, encouraging a flock of artists and hippies to the area. The hippie-vibe of the town is firmly ingrained in the culture - pot dispensaries, nomadic musicians and Bernie Sanders posters are commonplace. The Victorian buildings remain intact and are now home to a number of businesses including hotels, eateries, chocolate shops, bookstores and yoga studios.

Nature lovers flock to this area for very apparent reasons. The town sits on a small peninsula, surrounded by tabletop headlands and the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. An Irish friend of mine visited and noted how similar the coastline is to his home country's, along with the similar slow-er pace of life. Hiking trails are abundant, either along the Mendocino Headlands or through Van Damme and Russian Gulch State Park. Outside of town, most residential lots are at least an acre. Abalone diving is a favorite pastime, along with sea kayaking and fishing. Let's not forget that nearby Highway 128 is home to the largest California Redwood trees in the State. 

For me, I go to Mendocino escape the mundane/chaotic lifestyle of an urbanite. A fuss-free long weekend on the California coast exploring its quaint towns and natural world. I have found the people in Mendocino to be incredibly genuine and friendly; a great combination of a small town mentality and the innate confidence of a Bay Area resident. The chefs in the area are serious about locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. Wine country is just 40 minutes down Highway 128. 

People who live in Mendocino are proud to live there, as I am proud to have called this place a favorite vacation destination for most of my life. Did I mention the food and wine?