Guidebook for Mendocino
Drinks & Nightlife
Our favorite locals hangout. Noisy and friendly with good pub food!
45 locals recommend
Patterson's Pub
10485 Lansing StOur favorite locals hangout. Noisy and friendly with good pub food!
Friday and Saturday nights - world class jazz acts! Seriously!
41 locals recommend
North Coast Brewing Company
444 N Main StFriday and Saturday nights - world class jazz acts! Seriously!
It's just a popular local hangout. And we firmly believe you should go to as many of those as possible on any journey! Warm local crowd and a lot of fun!
44 locals recommend
Piaci | Pub & Pizzeria
120 W Redwood AveIt's just a popular local hangout. And we firmly believe you should go to as many of those as possible on any journey! Warm local crowd and a lot of fun!
Sightseeing
This is our secret favorite beach walk. It is a 30 minute drive from our house - a couple miles north of Ft Bragg - but it is WORTH it! A stunning open beach - Ten Mile Beach at the end of Ward Avenue. There's parking and from the parking lot turn right and take the trail down to the beach. Usually you can walk for miles and not see anyone! If you take the left hand trail instead - it is an old haul road from the lumber industry days and you can walk all the way to Ft Bragg. But the beach is magical!
Ward Avenue
Ward AvenueThis is our secret favorite beach walk. It is a 30 minute drive from our house - a couple miles north of Ft Bragg - but it is WORTH it! A stunning open beach - Ten Mile Beach at the end of Ward Avenue. There's parking and from the parking lot turn right and take the trail down to the beach. Usually you can walk for miles and not see anyone! If you take the left hand trail instead - it is an old haul road from the lumber industry days and you can walk all the way to Ft Bragg. But the beach is magical!
Parks & Nature
This is the most varied hike! Rocks, flowers, paths, stunning views, it goes on for miles - with cosy benches here and there - the possibility of going in many directions - sandy beach, rocks, meadows, even the village! Explore in any season - or any weather for that matter.
42 locals recommend
Mendocino Headlands State Park
This is the most varied hike! Rocks, flowers, paths, stunning views, it goes on for miles - with cosy benches here and there - the possibility of going in many directions - sandy beach, rocks, meadows, even the village! Explore in any season - or any weather for that matter.
OK, there are two entrances to this park - one on the beach and one in the Pygmy Forest. (No there are no pygmies - it refers to the ancient small trees there). We often park up at the Pygmy Forest entrance (off the beaten path) and go for lovely walks! You can actually walk all the way down to the beach from there too. It is one of the best beaches for amenities - with picnic tables, barbecues, bathrooms, and when the weather is good, ocean kayaking!
6 locals recommend
Van Damme State Park
Van Damme State ParkOK, there are two entrances to this park - one on the beach and one in the Pygmy Forest. (No there are no pygmies - it refers to the ancient small trees there). We often park up at the Pygmy Forest entrance (off the beaten path) and go for lovely walks! You can actually walk all the way down to the beach from there too. It is one of the best beaches for amenities - with picnic tables, barbecues, bathrooms, and when the weather is good, ocean kayaking!
The beach is just a magnet. Every Sunday there is frisbee, in the summer, families have barbecues. There is a canoe, Kayak and bike rental. Bonfires, guitars, dogs, tai chi - you name it, you will find it here. And the large parking lot it also the trail head for one of the best hikes - the Big River Trail. We often bring a shaker of our favorite cocktail here at sunset and sit on a driftwood tree to celebrate any thing that comes to mind!
33 locals recommend
Big River Beach at Mendocino Headlands State Park
The beach is just a magnet. Every Sunday there is frisbee, in the summer, families have barbecues. There is a canoe, Kayak and bike rental. Bonfires, guitars, dogs, tai chi - you name it, you will find it here. And the large parking lot it also the trail head for one of the best hikes - the Big River Trail. We often bring a shaker of our favorite cocktail here at sunset and sit on a driftwood tree to celebrate any thing that comes to mind!
Arts & Culture
You can't beat local talent! The most spirited amateur dramatics of any small town, hands down!
11 locals recommend
Mendocino Theatre Company
45200 Little Lake StYou can't beat local talent! The most spirited amateur dramatics of any small town, hands down!
Because of the history of our village - almost every other person you meet is an artist! The art center became a magnet for artists from all over the country in the 50s and 60s and still today has amazing quality exhibitions and art for sale.
28 locals recommend
Mendocino Art Center
45200 Little Lake StBecause of the history of our village - almost every other person you meet is an artist! The art center became a magnet for artists from all over the country in the 50s and 60s and still today has amazing quality exhibitions and art for sale.
Essentials
Just the best small town grocery. Open all the time and great selection for a small shop!
49 locals recommend
Harvest Market at Mendosa's
10501 Lansing StJust the best small town grocery. Open all the time and great selection for a small shop!