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Mendocino, CA
A charming village on the Northern California coast.
Mendocino, California may be a west coast town, but it would not be out of place in New England. Mendocino was actually built by settlers from back east, hence the appearance. Weather-beaten old Victorian homes and windswept trees dot the hilly landscape of Mendocino, while narrow lanes wind along the ocean. Typical of the west coast, however, are the ocean cliffs and huge redwood trees that abound in the region.
Mendocino is one of the main destinations for travelers to Northern California, with great restaurants, romantic inns, and quirky shops lining the quaint streets of the village. But this is a place to get away from it all, so rest and relaxation is the name of the game for many visitors to Mendocino. If you are looking for a great California experience with a dab of New England mixed in, Mendecino might just be your town.
FAST FACTS FOR MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA:
- Population (2000 census): 824
- Elevation: sea level
- Area Code: 707
- ZIP Code: 95460
- Distance from San Francisco: 155 miles
- Location: Map of Mendocino, CA
THINGS TO SEE AND DO AROUND MENDOCINO:
- Brewery Gulch Inn--Mendocino has a number of top hotels, lodges, and inns. And the Brewery Gulch Inn is amongst the best lodging options in the area. If you like fireplaces and views of the California coast, this may be the inn for you.
- Coastal Highway 1--One of the most beautiful roads in the country, Highway 1 is especially spectacular from Westport to Bodega Bay, with Mendocino right in the middle. The combination of ocean views and steep cliffs along Route 1 is unforgettable.
- Mendocino County Wineries--Some of the best wine in California comes out of the Mendocino area. And it's usually a lot less crowded than often-hectic Napa Valley.
- Point Cabrillo Lighthouse--This lighthouse is situated in a nature preserve just north of Mendocino. The Point Cabrillo Light Station is nearly 100 years old.
- Sunsets--Yes, you can catch a great sunset nearly anywhere along the California coast, but the lonely, dusty road that leads west from Mendocino to the sea brings you to a sunset viewing spot that, even by California standards, is breathtaking.