The Perfect Weekend in Mendocino (What to Do, Eat & See)
One of my favorite quick getaways is spending a weekend in Mendocino! If you’re not familiar with Mendocino, it’s a picturesque seaside town a couple of hundred miles north of the Bay Area, and it is well worth the trip.
I first visited in 2019, and fell in love with the quiet grandeur of the landscape and the town’s quaint charm. I grew up in a small town on the coast near Half Moon Bay, and in many ways, Mendocino feels like home.
If you enjoy nature, great food, and a slower pace of life, a weekend in Mendocino might be just what you need!
The Drive to Mendocino
Before I dive into how to spend a weekend in Mendocino, first, I want to share a couple of tips on how to get there! The drive is scenic, but it is not for the faint of heart.
You spend over 60 miles on the extremely windy State Route 128. In addition to the windiness of the road and the length of time you’re on it, locals drive this road at higher speeds than you may be comfortable with.
There are plenty of pullouts to let cars pass you, but they can be hard to spot and come up quickly, so definitely keep a sharp eye out.
Additionally, be sure to get gas before you get on 128 — we didn’t see any gas stations and were glad we filled up before.
Even though the drive can be intimidating, it is also stunning and gives you a taste of Mendocino’s beauty.
How to Spend a Weekend in Mendocino
Personally, I think that ideal activities for a weekend in Mendocino can be summed up in three words: explore, relax, eat!
1. Explore: Best Things to See on a Mendocino Weekend
One of my favorite things about Mendocino is its slower pace. Even though it’s gained popularity as a tourist destination in recent years, it’s not overly crowded and doesn’t feel busy or rushed. That said, there are plenty of opportunities for adventure!
Walk Around Downtown Mendocino
Mendocino is located on a tiny peninsula. The downtown area is deceptively small, but that’s part of what makes it so charming.
It’s essentially the size of two large city blocks, but there are still plenty of restaurants and cute shops. We ran into a Farmer’s Market while we were there, as well as a book sale at the Mendocino Community Library.
You’ll notice water towers scattered throughout the town, which were originally constructed in the early 1900s due to Mendocino’s lack of a central water supply. While most are no longer functional and have been converted for other uses, they add to Mendocino’s charm.
Parking is both free and plentiful, although the spots closer to the heart of downtown tend to fill up. There are no time limits on any of the spaces, so you can leave your car for the entire day and use downtown as a base to explore from.
Visit Mendocino Headlands State Park
Immediately adjacent to downtown is Mendocino Headlands State Park. It’s a short walk to the park from the downtown area, and there are some truly breathtaking views. There are quite a few steep drop-offs and no guardrails, so exercise caution.
You can stay closer to downtown or check out as much of the park as you’d like to. If you’re into hiking, there are also many other gorgeous hikes of various difficulty levels in the Mendocino area, although you may need to drive to them.
Check Out the Mendocino Botanical Gardens
I visited the Mendocino Botanical Gardens in 2019, but somehow didn’t take any pictures. We didn’t have time to go on this trip, but I want to mention it because it’s well worth a visit!
Enjoy Wine Tasting in Mendocino
Another feature of Mendocino is its proximity to wine country. There are many places you can stop to wine taste along 128 on your drive, but there are also opportunities to enjoy wine tasting downtown!
During our stay, we visited the downtown tasting room for Meyer Family Cellars. Founded by some of the original founders of the famed Silver Oak winery, Meyer is located on 128 and is currently run by husband-and-wife duo Matt and Karen Meyer.
We had the opportunity to compare two of their delicious cabernets, which are produced as a “his and hers” line. Everything about these two wines is identical, except Matt’s is aged in American oak barrels while Karen’s is aged in French oak. Can you guess which ones Spencer and I preferred?
2. Relax: How to Slow Down & Appreciate Mendocino’s Coastal Charm
Although I love exploring on vacations, since everyday life is so busy, I also savor taking time to relax. Mendocino is the perfect place to do that! It’s so magnificent and yet peaceful, making it a perfect place to enjoy the beauty of nature while doing some restful activities.
For a weekend in Mendocino, I definitely recommend creating some space to unwind and do something you enjoy.
Slow Down at a B&B
We stayed at the Sea Rock Inn, a delightful B&B just north of downtown. Our room had an incredible view, in addition to a cozy woodstove. The staff delivered breakfast to our room each morning.
We loved our stay, but if you’re looking for more options, there is an abundance of B&Bs in the area to choose from! I highly recommend staying at one as part of the Mendocino experience.
Embrace Your Inner Senior Citizen
The demographics in Mendocino trend a bit older, and Spence and I were there for it! Since we already channel a decent amount of grandma and grandpa energy, we played a nail-biting game of cribbage (yes, it’s possible) while enjoying the view from our window.
We also did some reading on the lawn chairs just outside our room.
3. Eat: My Top Restaurants in Mendocino
Essentially, our favorite thing to do when we travel is eat good food. And Mendocino did not disappoint! For a weekend here, you should definitely take advantage of all the great restaurants Mendocino has to offer.
Luna Trattoria
Our first night, we enjoyed an amazing dinner at Luna Trattoria downtown featuring delicious homemade pasta.
There was a mix-up with our reservation, but the staff were very accommodating and provided excellent service. My favorite moment was when they offered Spence a preemptive bib for his cioppino (he said the cioppino was the best he’d ever had!).
Gnar Bar
Spence and I have a shared love of Asian food, and we always appreciate finding new restaurants on our travels together. On this trip, we discovered a Japanese/Chinese/Hawaiian grab-and-go eatery called Gnar Bar right in the heart of downtown.
We ate there twice for lunch during our stay and enjoyed delicious sushi, dumplings, spam musubi, and ramen. The spam musubi was especially tasty!
Due to time constraints, we chose to sit at the barstools inside instead of taking our food to go. But if you have the time and the weather permits, I would definitely recommend making a picnic of it!
As mentioned previously, Mendocino Headlands State Park is just a short walk away and would be an excellent picnic location.
Greenwood Restaurant
Some friends recommended Greenwood Restaurant at the Sacred Rock Inn, located about 30 minutes south of Mendocino. This was definitely a splurge, but the food, presentation, and service were unparalleled.
Note: Since our visit, Greenwood has sadly closed. But if you’re looking for a similarly special dining experience, Wild Fish or Cafe Beaujolais would be incredible alternatives.
Let’s Keep in Touch
That about wraps up our Mendocino weekend: slow mornings, stunning views, and some seriously good food. We left feeling rested, full, and already dreaming about the next trip.
If you’re into cozy coastlines, quiet getaways, and meals worth planning a trip around, let’s keep in touch! I share hosting tips, home decor, and the occasional travel escape in my weekly(ish) newsletter.
