The quaint seaside town of Mendocino is a perfect place to get away for the weekend in Northern California, where you can embrace the slower pace of life, explore cultural attractions and soak up some amazing scenery. This is a fabulous tourist destination along the coast with quite a few hotels, inns, and B&Bs to make any stay in Mendocino very special. For romance or even a quiet family vacation, here are our top picks for places to stay on a trip to Mendocino, California.
Brewery Gulch Inn
The Brewery Gulch Inn offers travelers some of the best views in California, along with arts and craft style décor, local and organic cuisine, and cozy rooms. There are unique rooms for guests to stay in and a large great room with a fireplace and gathering space. You’ll enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at this eco-friendly retreat that has won numerous awards over the years. The hotel offers numerous package deals and specials to help you celebrate a friends’ getaway, babymoon, romantic escape, or big adventure in the outdoors.
The Stanford Inn by the Sea Eco-Resort
One of the top hotels in California, The Stanford Inn by the Sea is a bed and breakfast, historic farm, and eco-resort all wrapped into one. The hotel overlooks the Mendocino Bay, offers breakfast each morning, has wood-burning fireplaces, and welcomes children and pets. This is also a popular spot for intimate weddings and elopements. The on-site Ravens Restaurant specializes in organic cuisine, plant-based menu options, and sustainability in everything it does. The Stanford Inn’s Mendocino Center for Living Well offers yoga, tai chi, nature tours, meditation, gardening and cooking classes, and more. Guests here can also rent out kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and bikes from Catch a Canoe and Bicycles Too.
Elk Cove Inn & Spa
Elk Cove Inn & Spa is a beautiful bed and breakfast on California’s Mendocino Coast, boasting picture-perfect views, farm-to-table cuisine, and a luxe day spa. Nestled on a bluff overlooking a mile of pristine beachfront, the property is perfect for anyone looking to get away from it all and reconnect with nature (furry friends are welcome to join as well). It’s centered around a stunning Craftsman-style mansion from the late 1800s, with a variety of cozy suites and cliffside cottages to choose from. Daily breakfasts are included with your stay, while a flower and herb-filled garden, on-site chickens, goats, rabbits, and honeybees make this place extra special and unique.
Agate Cove Inn
Meanwhile, the Agate Cove Inn is a charming B&B that offers ocean views from the charming cottages on the property. Some cottages have their own private decks, there’s a delicious buffet on site, free Wi-Fi, and a 24-hour relaxation lounge. Some rooms also have whirlpool tubs and four-poster beds. This is a fun place to stay to explore Mendocino County and a popular spot for weddings too. Read the descriptions of each cottage at the inn to choose the one that sounds best to you. In-room amenities offered by the Agate Cove Inn include robes, fireplaces, luxury linens, mini-fridges, microwaves, and drinking glasses. Other onsite amenities include popcorn machines, outside blankets, fresh baked goods, games, books, and hiking maps.
Mendocino Hotel and Garden Suites
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Mendocino Hotel and Garden Suites is a historic hotel that has a history that dates back to 1878. It’s located in the heart of the village on Main Street and a quick walk from the Kelly House Museum, the Guest House Museum, and the Ford House Visitor Center. The Mendocino Hotel and Garden Suites has romantic guest rooms and is on two acres of land with botanical gardens all around. Meanwhile, the garden suites here have fireplaces, private porches, and lovely views of the gardens. All rooms include free Wi-Fi, but the garden suites are best suited for families and anyone traveling with pets. This is an eco-friendly hotel that offers free parking for garden suite guests, has several restaurants and a bar, and that offers room service.
MacCallum House
We also recommend the MacCallum House for a boutique bed and breakfast with plenty of comfort and luxury in Mendocino. There are spacious rooms here for guests, as well as an on-site restaurant. Some rooms here come with hot tubs, fireplaces, and ocean views. The hotel’s history dates back to 1882, and it is a historic landmark in town. The main house has six rooms, there are seven cottages, the barn has restored rooms, and suites are located on a nearby lodging property. Vacation rentals are also available for larger families. Gourmet breakfasts are included in your stay, as well as in-room mini bars, Wi-Fi, robes, and other amenities. You can upgrade your stay with little surprises, like flowers, wine, and cookies. This is also a cannabis-friendly hotel where you can consume cannabis in its outdoor public areas or on your room’s private deck. For dining, enjoy dinner at the onsite restaurant. The hotel can also help you arrange a wine tour in the region.
Blue Door Inns
As part of a group of inns, the Blue Door Inns is a great place to stay as you explore the rugged cliffs and flowing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Many rooms here offer views of the incredible scenery, and there’s a nice garden on-site too. You’ll be pampered from the moment you wake up, as the hotel delivers breakfast baskets to guests each morning At the Blue Door Inns, there is also a wine social with snacks in the afternoons, offering a sweet and savory pick-me-up with cheese, crackers, and freshly-baked cookies. The Blue Door Inn offers free high-speed Wi-Fi for a modern touch to go with its elegant and calming cream, gray, and leather décor.
Packard House
The Packard House is one of the Blue Door Group properties and an eclectic and soothing place to stay in Mendocino. This is an ideal place for an artist’s escape, as the inspiration for the Packard House came from Emmy Lou Packard, the local artist, and conservation activist. Come here for a peaceful retreat when you stay in one of the guestrooms or cottages. Sit and relax in an Adirondack chair, enjoy the morning breakfast basket, and join in the fun at the afternoon wine hour at the sister property of the Blue Door Inn.
