How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Mendocino, California
The rustic town of Mendocino is a slice of New England on the Northern California coast. About three hours north of San Francisco, it is a world away from it all--aside from the warm-weather holiday weekends, when it bustles with far more tourism than usual.
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Instructions
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Consider staying in one of the community's fine old B&Bs or inns, which can be found on practically every street in town. For more affordable lodging try heading about 10 miles to Fort Bragg, which hosts a number of standard hotels.
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Make sure to visit Big River Beach, reachable via a winding trail by the large church on Main Street and an access road just north of Big River Bridge about a quarter-mile south of town. One interesting facet of this spectacularly scenic beach is how its layout frequently changes due to the tide and wind factors.
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Set aside time for Russian Gulch State Park (two miles north of town) or Van Damme State Park (three miles south of town). Both parks boast inviting hiking trails, small but scenic beaches and wonderful areas for picnicking.
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Make sure to take the scenic Heeser Drive that winds along the majestic cliffs on the town's west end. Several small-to-medium parking areas serve as perfect places to watch the waves splash off the rocks. Walking paths are also ideal.
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Indulge in the town's active art scene by visiting the Mendocino Art Center and several galleries dotting the village-mostly on Main Street.
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Climb the three-story water tower open to the public in the middle of Main Street to see one of the best views in California.
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Take a side trip north to the tiny village of Casper (about four miles north of town) or the fishing grotto of Noyo (approximately 9 miles north of town); both are worth the short drive time.
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Tips & Warnings
Be prepared for rain practically any time of year when visiting Mendocino.
Visitors who suffer easily from motion sickness may want to have dimenhydrinate or a similar drug handy for the winding roads that lead to the area from essentially all directions.
