Mendocino

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More Rambles along Rt 1

A travel journal to Mendocino by gosusan

BolinasMore Photos

The following journal shows some of the towns and attractions that can be visited as one meanders up the coast-hugging Route 1 from San Francisco up to Mendocino.

  • 9 reviews
  • 16 photos

More Rambles along Rt 1Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Point Arena Lighthouse
The drive itself is spectacular. Most of the entire route, from the Stinson Beach/Muir Woods entry, up to Mendocino (and beyond) is postcard material. Each of these small towns: Bolinas, Pt. Reyes Station, Bodega, Gualala, Pt. Arena, Elk, Mendocino is worthy of at least a quick stop. There's also plenty of turnouts for beaches and cliff overlooks.

Quick Tips:

Rt 1 is a very curvy and narrow road. This makes for some wonderful views, but those with fear of heights or who don't feel up to navigating the curves should bribe someone else to drive.

Best Way To Get Around:

Driving is the only reasonable option. Some people may attempt to bike stretches, but I would not recommend it, with the traffic and narrow roads.

Sea Ranch Vacation Home Rentals : Ocean ViewBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Sea Ranch Rentals"

Sea Ranch vista
While bed and breakfasts are wonderful for a day or two, a large party or those looking to enjoy a longer or more private stay on the North California Coast should look into rental properties. The cost will go down to 100$/night per person or much less!

While many towns along the coast have a couple houses the Sea Ranch is a planned community filled with all sorts of wonderful homes. Sea Ranch itself has a great set of coastal and wooded trails and other ammenities for vacationers.

The agency I and others have used is Don Berard http://www.donberard.com/

Other options are:
http://www.mcn.org/searanch/vacation_rentals.html
Or go to:
http://www.tsra.org for more general information on Sea Ranch.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by gosusan on January 17, 2001

Sea Ranch Vacation Home Rentals : Ocean View
Highway 1 Mendocino, California 95445
(707) 884-3539

Sea Ranch HikingBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Meandering the trails at Sea Ranch"

All lined up and Nowhere to go
Sea Ranch maintains a bluff-side trail that offers wonderful views of the coast, including some overlooks of harbor seal colonies. Some sections allow for equestrian usage, but the majority is foot traffic only. The hiking is fairly easy, with narrow gravel and dirt paths.

Residents and renters at Sea Ranch make use of the trail, but there are plenty of public access points for the public. For some detailed maps and other information, see http://www.tsra.org/Maps.htm Additionally, there are several trails in the hills that lead through redwood groves and other beautiful areas.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by gosusan on January 17, 2001

Sea Ranch Hiking
Several public entrance points along Sea Ranch Mendocino, California

BolinasBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Bolinas, the hidden town"

Bolinas
Bolinas is a lovely town with a popular beach. Some of the locals have decided not to draw the attention of tourists, and regularly take down the signs to Bolinas. However, those few who find the town will get a warmer welcome.

There's plenty of quaint turn-of-the-century buildings and houses. One of these is great to browse in, as they run a perpetual garage sale. There's also a couple nice cafes, a fun saloon, and of course, some of the greatest surf. You can watch the kayakers and surfers ride waves in and occassionally flee in panic when a Great White is spotted.

To get there, make the first left past the Bolinas Lagoon Open Space Preserve.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gosusan on January 17, 2001

Bolinas
Route 1 Past Stinson Beach Mendocino, California

Bodega BayBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Bodega Sunset
Bodega Bay marks the spot where Rt. 1 returns to the coast, after a brief detour inland. Alternatively, one might use this as an alternate starting point, taking Rt 116 inland from Petaluma/Hwy 101. This shortens the trip and avoids the narrow and curvy section of road (without guard rails) just before Stinson Beach.

There are some reasonable restaurants, if a bit touristy. Bodega Bay is also a popular departure point for whale watching boats, mostly in the winter season, when these great beasts migrate.

The state park in town is an enjoyable beach with great tidepools to amuse the kids.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gosusan on January 17, 2001

Bodega Bay
Route 1 Bodega Bay
(707) 875-3866

Cowgirl's CreameryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Cheese lover's Dreams: Cowgirl's Creamery"

Those driving through Pt. Reyes Station may appreciate stocking up on picnic supplies at the Tomalese Bay Foods store (in the old barn behind the main drag- ask for directions if you can't find it.) This is one of the direct distribution outlets of the Cowgirl Creamery. While not cheap, their selections are marvelous, and samples are made available to those who ask. If you like goat cheese, try the the Humbolt Fog- heaven condensed!

There's plenty of other foodstuffs around- for a decadent picnic meal.

In case you aren't salivating sufficiently, go to http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by gosusan on January 17, 2001

Cowgirl's Creamery
Tomales Bay Foods Store Mendocino, California 94952
(707) 789-9433

Mendocino MarketsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Mendocino, the town
Mendocino is a logging town on the coast that seems to be almost eerily frozen in time. (Mystery fans may recognize it as the set for Murder She Wrote.) It is filled with plenty of fun little art galleries and other shops to browse through. (Although after a while all but the diehard romantic will tire of the seemingly endless supply of seascape watercolors and handcrafted kelp baskets.)

Many of the local shops and bed and breakfasts have gardens to view or visit. Be sure to save some time to explore some of the back streets and cliff-side trails, as well as descend to the nearby beach. The town is more fun to visit during the weekdays, as it can start to feel overly touristed.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gosusan on January 17, 2001

Mendocino Markets
Throughout Mendocino Mendocino, California

Bodega BayBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The charming old town of Bodega"

St. Teresa's
Bodega is a sleepy little town that still has many of its 19th century and early 20th century buildings, including a stunningly graceful church. So charming and picturesque, it looks like it should be a movie set...

Well, actually, it was. Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" was filmed here and at nearby Bodega Bay. You will likely recognize the main street and the old school house- or at least have a sense of deja vu, and duck any passing gulls- if you have seen the movie.

The town is worthy of a detour for non-movie enthusiasts. The hodge-podge of antique shops, galleries and bric-a-brac vendors are fun to browse. The one bar (and "casino") in town serves grilled fish and oysters al fresco in the afternoon. But the old architecture and small-town charm are the real draw.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gosusan on August 11, 2002

Bodega Bay
Route 1 Bodega Bay
(707) 875-3866

OccidentalBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Driving East to get to the West: Occidental"

The Steeple of the Occidental Community Church
If you feel like taking a break from the coastal scenery on Route 1, the Town of Occidental is worth a short detour. The Bohemian Highway runs parallel to Rt. 1 between Rt 116 and Washington road (from Petaluma to Bodega Bay.) Occidental is set in the middle of a redwood forest, and it exudes a Wild-West-Meets-Victorian-Refinement-With-Some-New-Age-Restoration character that will tickle your fancy.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by gosusan on December 1, 2001

Occidental
Bohemian Highway Mendocino, California 95465
(707) 874-3279

About the Writer

gosusan
gosusan
San Francisco, California

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