72 Magical Hours in Mendocino
A short 3 hour drive from San Francisco, through the picturesque Anderson Valley (an off the beaten path wine region), the giant redwoods and the rugged Northern California coast, sits the town of Mendocino. The closest thing to a New England village in California, this tucked away seaside village is home to dramatic ocean bluffs, picturesque headlands, walkable streets and opulent Victorian homes (a lot of which have been converted into thriving Bed and Breakfasts). It is in this magical coastal village that we spent a long weekend with Squash in the fall of 2023.
A Victorian Home Turned Boutique B&B
Nicholson House is a 9 room B&B in the heart of Mendocino Village, and our favorite dog-friendly hotel in all of Mendocino County. Originally built as a family home in the 1800s, and reimagined as a boutique stay experience in 2022, Nicholson is the perfect mix of timeless Victorian charm, art deco whimsy and modern amenities (think heated tile floors & on-demand texting services).
In the fall of 2023 they completed the renovations of their 2 dog-friendly garden units and we had the privilege of spending 3 nights in the king garden suite. Check-in was super easy (contactless) and once we stepped into the room we felt right at home, specially Squash. On the bed, they had left a beautiful gift basket full of treats, doggy bowls, blankets & towels. Needless to say, Squash was happy, comfortable, pampered and relaxed throughout our entire stay.
But don’t feel too bad for me and Nate. We felt just as pampered, thanks to our luxurious bath robes, warm slippers and super comfortable bed. Our stay also included a free daily drink and breakfast pastry at their next door coffee shop, The Waiting Room (also dog friendly). The Waiting Room, The Brickery (pizza garden) and Café Beaujolais (restaurant) are all located next door to the BnB, making it super easy to relax, eat and repeat. The BnB and all it’s sister properties are also centrally located in the town and an easy walk to the beach and to the Mendocino headlands.
Dog Friendly Activities
Walks on Big River Beach
This is an iconic beach. It is a stunning beach. And it is also one of our family’s favorite California beaches. You can access the beach one of two ways: you can walk down wooden steps located behind the iconic Church on Main Street or drive just south of Mendocino and turn east into the parking lot before you cross the bridge. When in Mendocino, we like to take Squash on daily morning and sunset walks. She loves to run around, play with other dogs, chase her ball into the ocean and jump over all the logs that wash up onto the shore. It’s a peaceful & stunning beach that despite being popular, has never felt overcrowded.
Hiking the Mendocino Headlands
The Mendocino Headlands surround the village of Mendocino on three sides and they are within walking distance of the town and accessible via many points throughout the city. The headlands offer a unique blend of trails, rugged coastline, secluded beaches and stunning views of the town and the pacific ocean. Within the headlands, there is the Bluffs Hiking Trail – a 3 mile trail that snakes along the cliffs. We love this trail because of its proximity to town, how dog-friendly it is and the spectacular views of the ocean, sea arches, hidden grottos and the surrounding areas. Tip: if the tide is low, take the wooden steps down to Portuguese beach to find one of the most beautiful secluded beaches we’ve ever been to.
Walking Around Mendocino Village
Our favorite part of Mendocino is how walkable and dog friendly it is. Both visitors and locals love dogs – Squash gets lots of pets and cuddles when we walk around. Because the town is so small – I believe the population is under 1,000 – you can easily walk to all the stores, the restaurants, the beach and even the headlands. The streets are dotted historic water towers, ornate Victorian homes that have been turned into BnBs and old growth trees. We would highly recommend going on an early morning walk or a sunset stroll and checking out some of our favorite shops, like the Gallery Bookshop (and it’s resident napping cat) & The Study Club.
Driving through the Redwoods
Driving to and from Mendocino, either through the coastal route (highway 1) or the redwoods, is nothing short of stunning. And because Squash loves car rides, it’s one of our favorite things to do while in Mendocino. We usually take the inland route since it is much faster, but still full of beauty, so you won’t feel like you are missing out on the views by not taking the coastal route. On the way in and on the way home, we drive through the redwood forest, making pitstops along the way to admire the grandeur, age and beauty of the redwoods.
Where to Eat
There is no shortage of great places to eat in and around Mendocino, a lot of which are very dog friendly. But there are 4 places we always frequent, and bring Squash along: The Waiting Room, The Brickery, Princess Seafood & The Good Life Café & Bakery.
The Waiting Room & The Brickery are both part of Nicholson House and located right next to the hotel. The Waiting Room is their cozy and moody coffee shop and The Brickery is their bountiful and lush pizza garden. The Waiting Room has a fresh selection of pastries and breads every morning, great coffee and other drinks. They have the coziest fireplace, the staff is always super friendly and you can always spot the locals picking up a cup of coffee in the morning on their way to work. While The Waiting Room has the perfect cup of joe, The Brickery serves up the tastiest pizza pies. Located right behind the coffee shop and accessible through a beautiful pathway that opens up to a lush garden, their menu is small but mighty. Their pizzas are always seasonal and made with fresh ingredients. Pro tip: Wednesday’s and Thursday’s they have smash burgers and they are hands down one of the best burgers we’ve ever eaten.
If you are willing to drive 20 minutes north to Fort Bragg, you will find one of the most fun eateries around Mendocino – Princess Seafood. Located right on the banks of the Noyo river, the restaurant has one of the best views in town, with two outdoor decks. They have an all women fishing crew, live music in the summer and they even have a doggy burger on their menu. Worth the short drive!
The Good Life Café & Bakery is our go to brunch spot in town. They have a huge dog-friendly outdoor patio, an extensive menu, lots of baked goods and really interesting specials on the daily. They are also centrally located, friendly, affordable and delicious.
Mendocino truly has it all: great food, Victorian charm, stunning nature and beautiful trails. The fact that it is very dog friendly is just a huge plus, especially if you are like us and refuse to vacation without your best friend. If you find yourself in Mendocino, and you happen to have brought your dog, I hope these recommendations help you plan your itinerary.