To refresh yourself with the sea
A one-day itinerary to fully satisfy your craving for the water
Ah, the ocean!
Do you find yourself craving a glimpse of waves, the freedom to wander paths and trails along ocean-side bluff tops, that tickle in your nostrils of the sweetly golden air of sunset as day sinks down beyond the boundless expanse of the sea? Well, we’ve got your back! You may not be able to physically join us here on the Mendocino coast quite yet, but we’ve put together this little itinerary to transport your imagination out our way for a bit. And who knows? Maybe it will give you some inspiration for your next visit to our little corner of the world!
Wake up in your cozy bed at the inn, wrap yourself in your robe, then slowly fill your mug at the coffee bar downstairs. (Yes, you can wear your robe downstairs – it’s morning, and who cares? You’re on vacation!) Watch the coffee and cream swirl together as you carry your mug back to your room. Pull your easy chair around to look out the window over Smuggler’s Cove and tuck the throw blanket around you. Enjoy the view as you sip your steaming hot coffee. Ah. That’s the way to wake up in the morning.
Looking out over Smuggler’s Cove from our loft rooms.
If you’re an early riser and want to get in a little pre-breakfast exercise, take the walk down to the Mendocino Bay Viewpoint. Roughly two miles there and back, it has lovely views of the water and the picturesque village of Mendocino almost the entire way. For breakfast, maybe call down a room service order to the Front Desk so you can eat on your own private deck, or snag one of the tables closest to the giant windows in the dining room that overlook the bird feeders and the cove beyond.
Now that you’ve got your first taste of those watery views for the day, let’s go soak up some more ocean!
On the bluffs around the Mendocino Headlands
First, drive the mile or so north into Mendocino village and head out to the end of Main Street. Whatever else you do today, you HAVE to meander along at least part of the Mendocino Headlands State Park. The views along this trail are iconic Mendocino and would be a shame to miss. The full circle is roughly 3 miles, but you can do as much or as little as you like. Stop by Harvest at Mendosa’s (our great local market) afterward to pick up some snacks for later.
A couple of miles farther north, you’ll find the Point Cabrillo Light Station. One of the few remaining lighthouses to still have a functioning lens up top, this small but mighty lighthouse is chock full of charm. Plus, the views on the ½ mile walk down from the parking lot are stunning, and there’s an additional trail that winds farther north along the bluff edge for those in the mood for a little extra walking.
Point Cabrillo Light Station
Now it’s time to put your toes in the sand, maybe even sit for a while. A few miles north of Point Cabrillo, you’ll find Jughandle State Reserve just off of Highway 1. The Reserve has a great 4-mile round trip hike inland, but right now we’re more interested in the tiny beach down the sandy steps close by the parking lot. There’s something magical about this little cove. We’re not sure what it is exactly, but we love it. It’s just so perfect. Find a good spot to sit down and hang out here for a while. Watch the soft waves curling up on the sand and maybe even over your toes if you’re up for the chilliness of these North Coast waters.
If you’ve already consumed your snack from Mendosa’s and find yourself hungry for lunch, head up to the Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. Get some stellar seafood from Noyo Fish Company or Princess Seafood and eat by the water of the harbor. Watch the life of this active fishing community as you savor the fruits of their labor.
This basket of shrimp and chips from the Noyo Fish Company was so good we ate half of it before remembering to take a picture!
Wow. That’s been a busy day so far! If you’re up for some more exploring, maybe go up to the north end of Fort Bragg to see what Glass Beach is all about. Too much glass has wandered away in visitors’ pockets over the years for it to be the treasure chest that some still expect it to be; but even so, we think it’s fascinating to go down and sift through all the tiny pieces of glass and rock, to imagine what the coast must have looked like before. There’s also a fantastic coastal trail that runs by Glass Beach if you want to go for a longer walk.
Before heading back to the inn, stop by Cowlicks Ice Cream for some of the best ice cream you’ve ever had. Their hot fudge sundays are always a hit, and the coffee and ice cream shakes they call “Caffeinators” are crazy good. And of course, you can’t leave without trying the Candy Cap Mushroom Ice Cream… if they haven’t run out, that is!
By now you’re probably pretty tired, so let’s call it a day and end things well with some relaxing on the couches out back on the Main Deck at the inn. The sound of the surf in Smuggler’s Cove will fade in with the chorus of frogs starting up their evening concert. Enjoy the Wine Hour meal put on by our kitchen, kick back with an extra glass of Anderson Valley wine, and stare out over the water until the final glowing ray of sunlight has sunk beneath the waves. To end it all, fall into bed and dream, full to the brim with the sea, and your craving for the ocean fully satisfied.
Still up for one last saunter by the sea? Go for a sunset stroll along Big River Beach just a mile north of the inn.
Want to dream of the water a little more? Or planning a longer stay and want some more ideas for getting in all the ocean-side charm you can manage? Check out these fun “hidden” trails, this long stroll in the sand, this horseback ride on the beach, and this solitary hike down in Point Arena.
Words and pictures by Laura Hockett