It was a dark and stormy night. Actually, it wasn’t stormy until our third night on the Mendocino coast in early January, but that’s how I like to imagine our visits to this patch of earth. This wild and scenic part of Northern California is ideal for storm and surf watching, but it’s truly a great place to visit any time of year. You’ll need at least three days to soak in the Mendo-vibe and re-boot your soul. This section of California’s North Coast is not to be rushed; from the picturesque drive up the highway to romantic walks on the beach, Mendocino and Brewery Gulch Inn are meant to be savored, one sip and step at a time.
The property, built in 2001 with eco-salvaged redwood logs, features 10 ocean view rooms and the meadow view suite. You’ll want to request the 2nd floor or loft-level room for the most expansive views. We stayed in Heron, a room with a comfortable queen bed, luxurious Italian sheets, a gas fireplace, private bathroom with tub/shower combo and small balcony with a wonderful view of Smuggler’s Cove and the Pacific Ocean. All rooms include a large, flat panel tv with DVD player.
The ADA-accessible Redwood room has a thoughtfully laid out, roll in bathroom with a beautiful stall shower.
Jackie Libbey of Santa Cruz, California noted that this was the couples fourth visit to the inn. “Why change a good thing,” laughed Libbey. “The history of the place and the logs from the Redwoods intrigued us. We came last year on my birthday and decided to do it again. We really enjoy hiking in the area.”
“The history of the place and the logs from the Redwoods intrigued us. We came last year on my birthday and decided to do it again. We really enjoy hiking in the area.” Jackie Libbey, Santa Cruz.
If you are able, try to time your arrival as close to check-in as possible. I much prefer driving the windy road in daylight and with the complimentary dinner buffet included in the price of your stay, you’ll want to relax on the back porch with a glass of wine or local beer before dinner.
Don’t let the “light buffet” wording fool you into making dinner reservations in town. While it is wonderful to support the many restaurants in Mendocino county, the buffet is healthy, hearty fair. Brewery Gulch Inn Executive Chef Victor Aguirre utilizes local fish, chicken and produce, as well as offering a tasty, homemade dessert.
As with any luxury bed & breakfast, a cooked to order breakfast is offered daily, including a chef special. On our visit, we opted for flank steak Eggs Benedict and the classic; two farm-fresh eggs, over easy, with two slices of spicy Millionaire’s bacon, 3 pepper BGI home fries and fresh fruit. Chocolate lovers, be sure to order the vanilla-infused Callebaut Belgian hot chocolate.
Need to know:
Rates range from $335 – $470 low season (Dec. 1 – April 30); $350 – $495 high season (May 1 – November 30). Rates include breakfast with table service and evening dinner buffet with local wines and beers. Breakfast 8:00-10:00a.m., dinner buffet 5:30-6:30p.m. The inn features local wines and beers and offers a housemade Gingerade welcome drink. Brewery Gulch offers en suite massages, an extensive (600+) DVD collection, complimentary WiFi, concierge service and tailored sightseeing itineraries, in addition to complimentary local calls. Rooms feature imported bath products, Italian linens and some bathrooms include jetted or Japanese soaking tubs.The ADA
Ample onsite parking is offered complimentary. The property is a member of AAA 4 Diamond, CABBI, Green Hotels Association and Bed and Breakfast.com Diamond Collection.
Check in: 3:00 p.m. Check out: 11:00 a.m. Pets are not allowed at this property. If you are traveling in Mendocino County with your dog, you’ll want to check out Stanford Inn.
Insider Tips:
Mendocino is a place to relax. I took a drop-in yoga class at Yoga Shine on Albion Street downtown. After a day exploring the beaches of Jug Handle and Russian Gulch State Park, my husband and I booked a private hot tub at Sweetwater Inn and Spa before a massage at Mendocino Massage. We wore our BGI robes and were welcomed like locals at both places. The next day we went horseback riding on Manchester Beach with Ross Ranch, another fabulous recommendation from bed and breakfast owner Guy Pacurar. You’ll want to arrange your ride ahead of time and use the inn’s landline for communicating with the ranch if you have AT&T cell service – our phone carrier didn’t work at the inn, but wifi worked great.
Do you drive an electric vehicle? There is an eco-friendly EV charging station on property. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Instagram or Twitter @Nancydbrown and @BreweryGulchInn on Twitter or @brewerygulchinn on Instagram.
If You Go:
Brewery Gulch Inn (707) 937-4752
9401 CA 1 Highway
Mendocino, California 95460
Brewery Gulch Inn hotel review, YouTube video and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. As is typical in the industry, I paid a media rate for my stay, however, all opinions are my own.