Mendocino, California is a quaint coastal town 4 hours north of San Jose. If you’re looking for a short weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, Mendocino is the place to be. The charming town has numerous bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and some quirky shops. Here is how we spent our time in Mendocino.
Where to stay:
What to do:
Railbiking at Pudding Creek
The next morning, we had reservations at The Skunk Train. Exploring the redwoods on their railbike was definitely an experience worth remembering. It was a guided tour and Collin and I got to pedal while soaking in the amazing views.
Hiking at Russian Gulch State Park
This state park took me by surprise, I knew there was going to be a view of the coast of some sort, but I didn’t expect it to look this beautiful.
Explore the town of Mendocino
Although Mendocino is very small, the advantage is you can probably walk around the entire town in 45 minutes. Mendocino has a lot of charm and character considering the size. There were a lot of quirky book shops and toy stores that we enjoyed.
Where to eat:
Despite being known for sandwiches, we went on a busy Friday night and enjoyed their dinner menu. Their hearty stout-braised pot roast was perfect on a cold, foggy night.
10451 Lansing Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
We should’ve known the hour long wait had a reason behind it. Collin and I have tried calamari from various restaurants, but Noyo River Grill seemed to have the BEST calamari we’ve ever had. It was fried perfectly and the squid itself had the perfect texture.
North Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Cowlick’s always has an extremely long line but we got lucky when we came in. This was the perfect pick-me-up after railbiking along Pudding Creek.
250 N. Main St, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Red Velvet Diaries 