A few of my favorite things
A final word from Laura as she says farewell to the coast
Pelicans at sunset over the Mendocino Headlands
I blinked away the thickening fog that kept collecting in my eyelashes as I jogged along in the gradually growing light of dawn. My breath evening out on a bit of a downslope, I listened to the bright and cheery call of birds just waking up, happy little creatures whose spirits no amount of fog could dampen, out of sight in the underbrush on the side of the road. I nodded a greeting at the neighbor’s white horses in their corral and sniffed at the smoke starting to rise from one of the houses tucked into the edge of the trees. Familiar sights and sensations. Comforting smells and sounds.
While I try to always be mindfully present on my morning runs or whenever I’m out in nature or with friends and family, the past couple of weeks I’ve felt a particularly strong urge to absorb all the details. I’ve found myself thinking, “Alright, this is the last time I’m going to run or hike this trail for a while. This is the last time at this favorite café with this dear, dear friend. Only one more walking date with my old roommate.” I’m moving to Sacramento next week to marry the love of my life, and as excited and happy as I am to be entering into this next chapter of our adventure together, it is hard to leave behind Mendocino and all the people and places here that have grown to occupy such a special place in my heart. As I sit here and type, I find myself daydreaming about all my favorite spots and memories…
I found me a keeper! If you’re a romantic at heart, read more of our story here. Photo by Chelsi McFadden
Hikes
Mendocino Headlands State Park. I have run and walked this trail so many times there is no way to keep track of them all. And yet still, every time I am out on this path, something new and lovely or old and familiar never fails to draw in my eye and make my heart leap with joy at the beauty of life.
Russian Gulch State Park. One of my all-time favorites with its constant waterfall and charming stands of second growth redwoods.
Van Damme State Park. It’s kind of a toss-up between this park and Russian Gulch as to which I like better. They’re both definitely in my top 5 Mendocino hikes.
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve. It’s a bit of a drive to get out to this stately stand of old growth redwoods, but it is absolutely worth the bumpy twists and turns. It never fails to fill my spirit up to the brim and right on over.
The ancient trees in Montgomery Woods are truly impressive
Wineries
Phillips Hill Winery. With lovely wines and a truly unique location in an old apple dryer barn, a tasting here is always a memorable experience.
Scharfenberger Cellars. This charming little spot stole my heart several years ago with its ample garden space, a game of cornhole always ready to go, and the most delightful crémant to tickle my tongue ever.
Goldeneye Winery. It’s classy and gorgeous, and they make fantastic Pinot Noir. What more can I say?
Pennyroyal Farm. Because goat cheese. Enough said!
Lula Cellars. When the wine pourers take the time to get to know you and welcome you back with the cheeriest of greetings every time you go, how can you help but keep going back to visit again and again?
Tasting under the old apple dryer barn at Phillips Hill
Day Trip
Point Arena. With a stroll along the Stornetta Public Lands, a mandatory stop at Franny’s Cup & Saucer, a visit to the B Bryan Preserve, and a windswept power walk around the trail at Pelican Bluffs, this southern section of the Mendocino coast never comes up short. Oh! And pick up sandwiches at the Elk Store on your way down for the perfect picnic lunch!
Feeding the giraffes at B Bryan
Lunch Spots
Good Life Café & Bakery. I love these guys. They have never yet served me anything I didn’t like, the ambience is always just the right kind of bustling, and the service is just the right level of casual and friendly for an easy lunch out.
Casa del Sol. While unassuming in appearance and less popular than the other, more well-situated spots down in Noyo Harbor, this little fusion restaurant regularly delivers excellent, high-quality food every time we go… Which has become pretty often over the past year or so.
Piaci’s Pub & Pizzeria. What can I say? Good pizza is good pizza. They make some good salads too, and we surprised ourselves by ordering the Turkey and Pesto Sandwich the other day and liking it almost even more than their pizzas!
Trillium Café. With their elegant garden setting and light, garden-to-table style fare, this charming spot has easily become a favorite for a nicer lunch out.
Delicious Salmon Taco from Casa del Sol
Dinner Spots
Ledford House. I went here again for my birthday the other week with my fiancée. What a fantastic meal. Not that it was a surprise though – Tony & Lisa at the Ledford House run a truly fine establishment, with on-key service and excellent, excellent food. (The rabbit was a highlight this last visit!)
Café Beaujolais. While I love pretty much everything that Café Beaujolais does, I am so glad that they reopened their dining room this year. Chef Julian’s creativity and finesse shine in every item on his menu, and the atmosphere inside is so peaceful and elegant.
MacCallum House. Even though they are not currently taking reservations for their regular dinner service, every time I go it’s amazing. Chef Alan Kantor ‘s attention to details and passion for using only the best ingredients is abundantly clear in everything he puts out. My only regret is that I haven’t yet had the chance to enjoy his 5 course tasting menu, something I keep recommending to everyone and their mother and not getting around to doing myself.
Sunset out on the deck at the Ledford House is magical. Chilly, but magical!
Oh goodness. As I look back over this list, there are so many more places, activities, eateries, drinks, and experiences that flood my mind and demand to be given a place amongst the favorites. Mendocino has truly been good to me these past 7 years, giving me a wonderful place to live and grow. Guy and the rest of the team here at the Brewery Gulch Inn have been an amazing family too, and my memories here at the inn and with these people have had an even greater impact than this list on who I have become through these years.
Many of you already know Sarah, who worked with us several years ago on the Front Desk and then came back this January to rejoin our family as Assistant Manager. Now she’s excited to step up into the role of General Manager and utilize her accumulated years of knowledge and experience to carry on the Brewery Gulch tradition of excellence.
So as I pass the reigns along to our incoming General Manager Sarah Rowe this weekend, I want to say Thank You. Thank you to Guy for being an amazing boss. Thank you to his wife Sarah Schoeneman and daughter Ella for making me feel like part of their world. Thank you to all the staff that have graciously worked alongside me as I figured out life and work during COVID in real time. Thank you to all the many, many repeat guests that have become another special extension of this family over the years. And thank you to Mendocino. You are all forever in my heart!
I love all the wildflowers, including these brilliant Naked Ladies that are blooming right now.
Words & most pictures by Laura Hockett