Posted by Nancy D. Brown
I recently traveled to Mendocino and wrote about it on the Uptake.com/blog. I admit that the drive up the coast is not ideal for folks prone to car-sickness, but once you arrive, you will not want to leave. Here are some of my favorite "insider tips" for your next visit.
Mendocino’s Glass Beach
1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Mendocino and its residents?
Creative, rustic, cultural, political, unpretentious.
2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of Mendocino?
Main Street, where all the shops are located, is a neighborhood favorite. Across the street you can walk the bluffs at Headlands State Park.
3. Which cuisine do you think Mendocino does best? What is the runner-up? (feel free to share your favorite restaurant)
Mendocino is known for its locally grown, organic produce and California cuisine. Ravens' Restaurant at the Stanford Inn is a vegan restaurant that pleases even non-vegetarians. Cafe Beaujolais features flavorful French cuisine and the Little River Inn serves a wonderful brunch.
4. What is the best free thing to do?
Whale watching from January to March on the bluffs is free. For an indoor activity, the Gallery Bookshop offers free book events featuring authors, discussions, writing workshops and such. Art lovers will enjoy Second Saturday, where galleries and businesses stay open late with public receptions, featuring food and music for exhibiting artists from 5-8 p.m.
5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?
Mendocino offers wine and food events year-round. The world’s only Abalone Festival & Cook-off takes place in October.
6. List the best family friendly activity?
Big River Beach is a family-friendly beach. Look for the sometimes appearing natural lagoon.
7. What spot would you send a couple looking for a romantic weekend?
Start your day with breakfast on the porch at MacCallum House Inn. Take a hike at Big River and circle back to Mendocino for lunch at the Bay View Cafe, which does offer a great view. Cruise the galleries, stopping by the Papa Bear's Chocolate Hause on Maine Street for the fresh raspberry and chocolate bark and finish with a sunset dinner at the Albion River Inn.
8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area is all about? In three sentences or less.
To jumpstart your perfect day, begin with the best latte and a fresh pastry from Mendocino Bakery, home to Thanksgiving Coffee Company. Walk the redwoods and Big River and immerse yourself in art at the local galleries.
9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.
T he Mendocino Art Center is a wonderful place to spend some time.
10. What question did we not ask that we should have?
Where do the locals go for breakfast? Check out what's happening at the Caspar Community Center. The small town of Caspar is located between Mendocino and Fort Bragg. Every fourth Sunday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. the center hosts a community breakfast. The cost varies from $8-$11 and is very upscale, yet low key.
Glass beach photo credit: Bruce Lewis
MacCallum House Inn photo credit: Nancy D. Brown
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Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 12:32PM
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