A hiker’s weekend
Filled to the brim with Mendocino trails
Vivid green lines the trail in Van Damme State Park
Normally, we tend to lean towards the less is more mentality when helping guests plan a day or weekend or longer visit out here on the Mendocino coast. We love that beautiful slow down that takes over the limbic system of the city folk when they arrive in our sleepy little corner of the world and allow themselves to just let go of it all. We love quiet days. We love peaceful sunsets. We love simply sitting with the trees. That being said, we also recognize that there are some people who come here specifically to hike the trails and spend as much time as possible exploring the woods and ocean cliffs. So we thought we’d put together a weekend itinerary for these intrepid wanders, a little sampling of some of our favorite trails, both more and less well known, stretching out for more miles and beautifully condensed into shorter bites of exploration…
Another lovely little walk you might explore at the Old Smith Ranch Preserve
Day 1
Welcome! You’ve arrived on the Mendocino coast, suitcase in one hand, hiking shoes in the other, excited to leave the city behind and immerse yourself in nature. If you’ve arrived closer to our 3:00pm check in than not, give yourself a little bit of time to settle into your accommodations, then pick up a trail map from the Front Desk and drive the mile north to the village to meander along the Mendocino Headlands State Park. The ragged semicircle of this classic trail affords beautiful, quintessential views of the village, the bluffs, and the rugged sea below the entire way around. Take the path behind the high school to complete your roughly 3 mile circle, and before you know it you’ve traversed the quaint little village of Mendocino and found yourself back at your car.
A sunny day on the Mendocino Headlands
Head back to the inn to enjoy our Wine Hour, with complimentary local beers and wines and Chef James’ gorgeous appetizers, served 5:30-6:30pm. Then off you go to the Little River Inn for your 7:00pm dinner reservation in their sweetly sheltered outdoor dining area. Or pick up something to-go from Café Beaujolais while you’re in town for your hike and bring it back to the inn so you can hunker down for an early bed time – you’ve got a fair bit of hiking ahead of you tomorrow, after all!
The last of the summer’s Sea Pink out on the bluffs above Mendocino Bay
Day 2
First, a pre-breakfast stroll down to the Mendocino Bay Viewpoint across the highway. A short 2 miles in total, this down and back walk is a truly beautiful way to start the day and get your blood flowing. Next, a hearty breakfast of Chef James’ Maple Sage Biscuits & Gravy or Greek Breakfast Sandwich, a steaming cup of our special Thanksgiving Coffee house roast, and some fresh-squeezed orange juice. Then it’s time to fill up your water bottles with our crystal clean well water, wrap up a pastry or two from the coffee bar for later, and head on out for the woods!
Get to know the locals along the Forest History Trail
The question of course is, which trail to choose??? That is indeed a tough one, but in all honesty it’s pretty hard to choose wrong. If you feel like going a little bit off the beaten path, take the winding road out to the Forest History Trail. It may take you a little bit to get there, and the road can be a bit rutted once you’re off the pavement and on the dirt section, but you really feel like you’re running away from the world out in the middle of the woods. Want to stay a little closer to the main road? Van Damme State Park to the south takes you through a lovely, narrow gulch lined with lush ferns and whispering redwoods. And Russian Gulch State Park to the north has that lovely waterfall that never ceases to bring a peaceful smile to our faces, even though some major trail restoration is going to point you to a detour off the main trail for the foreseeable future.
Along the way to the Forest History Trail, take a side road down to the gorgeous Mendocino Woodlands
For lunch, either pick up some sandwiches beforehand at Mendocino Market for a casual picnic out amongst the trees, or head up to Fort Bragg once you’re done hiking for a later lunch down in Noyo Harbor. Our perennial favorites are Princess Seafood and Noyo River Grill, but we’ve been wanting to explore Casa del Sol’s menu a little more… (stay tuned on that one!) Need just a little more to refuel after your long hike? Head a mile or so north from the harbor to Cowlicks Ice Cream. You won’t regret it!
The Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, one of the shorter walks in the area, always has plenty of space to spread out and admire the view.
Since you’ve got a little bit more time before Wine Hour, make one or two short stops on your way back to the inn. Clamber out along the sandy cliff-top trail at Caspar Headlands State Reserve and let the sea spray wash away any lingering stress or care. Continue along Point Cabrillo Drive for a stroll out to the eternally charming Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. By this time, you’re probably ready to put your feet up at the inn, sip on a glass of something fresh and lovely, and nibble on Chef James’ delicious appetizers. Refreshed, head into the village for a laid back dinner at Patterson’s Pub or something a little lighter at Trillium Café.
A truly stunning sunrise over Big River
Day 3
Today’s early morning stroll is going to be Big River. You’ll want to drive the mile-ish north to the trailhead, as the highway has no real shoulder to walk on, then park at the end of the dirt parking lot and wend your way upriver. As you stroll, take in all the beauty of a world slowly coming awake – ducks on the water, a sleepy cotton tail peering at you from the brush, songbirds flitting about the trees, and that beautiful morning glow reflected on the face of the river. Another delicious breakfast back at the inn, heartfelt adieus, then you are on to your next and final hike for this visit – Hendy Woods. About half an hour away from the inn down Highway 128, this glorious stand of old growth redwoods near Philo will fill your nature-loving heart to the brim, topping you off just enough to keep you going until your next visit out to the Mendocino coast.
Another little gem of a trail tucked away in the woods. Ask us how to find this one, and we’ll share the secret!
There are, of course, many more hiking trails and opportunities for outdoor experiences here in Mendocino. It’s just impossible to fit them all into one short visit! Have you done all the walks we mentioned above? Ask us for some more recommendations! We’ve got quite a few…
Words & pictures by Laura Hockett