Explore California's coast in Mendocino County
Choose a Mendocino County vacation rental to enjoy beautiful ocean views and a serene slice of California life. This laid-back county on California's northern coast is home to some prime stretches of shoreline, acres of scented redwood forests that beg to be explored, and many great local producers of wine, craft beer and artisan olive oils. This is a tasty spot from which to explore the beautiful beaches of California's "secret coast" and the miles of local scenic hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. Drive the scenic byways for glorious views, or pick up the nearby wine routes of Mendocino, Napa Valley and Sonora Valley.
History and heritage in Mendocino County
You'll find some great local museums and fun, family-friendly attractions on the doorstep of your Mendocino County vacation rental. The Chandelier Tree in Leggett, California is a Mendocino County landmark. This giant redwood tree was cut in the 1930s to allow cars to drive through it. Taking the steam train from Fort Bragg or Willits on the "Skunk Train" heritage railroad is another fun family day out. Discover more about the railroad's history at the Roots of Motive Power Railroad History Project Exhibition in Willits. Or, for a change of pace, the official wine association for Mendocino County is located in Ukiah. You can pick up details of Mendocino wine and brewery tours and local wine trails here.
Mendocino County's blissful beaches
There's an array of beautiful beaches to explore close to Mendocino County vacation rentals. The pretty cove of Caspar Headland State Natural Reserve, between Mendocino and Fort Bragg, is a rugged, undeveloped stretch of golden sand popular for fishing and for whale watching. The gently sloping sands of MacKerricher State Park are also recommended for anglers and whale-fanciers. You can also sometimes see seal pups basking on the sands. The Point Arena Lighthouse is another renowned whale-watching location. As well as keeping an eye out for the graceful creatures from the bluff, visitors can take one of the daily lighthouse tours to enjoy incredible ocean views.
Mendocino County through the year
With mild winters and pleasant summer highs maxing out in the 70s, Mendocino County enjoys the perfect year-round climate for making the most of the wonderful outdoor activities on offer. There are plenty of seasonal events to enjoy too. Every June, the small town of Willits hosts the Frontier Days and Rodeo, the oldest continuous rodeo in the state. It's a family-friendly weekend of rodeo, roping, barrel racing and cowboy poetry. Meanwhile, in January, historic Fort Bragg's Mendocino Crab, Wine and Beer Festival is a true gastronomic treat. Fort Bragg is also the location of Mendocino's Whale Festival each March, when visitors are invited to whale watch from Pomo Bluffs Park.
Exploring the natural landscape of Mendocino County
Whether you're an active traveler or just want to spend some time taking in the scenery, Mendocino County is a great spot to appreciate mother nature. Here are some of the area’s most stunning features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- MacKerricher State Park (18.1 mi / 29.1 km)
- Pudding Creek Beach (20.7 mi / 33.3 km)
- Glass Beach (21 mi / 33.9 km)
- Montgomery Woods State Reserve (21.9 mi / 35.2 km)
- Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (22 mi / 35.4 km)
- Orr Hot Springs (22.5 mi / 36.2 km)