101 Things to Do on the Mendocino Coast

  1.  If you want to own your own piece of the coast stop by Coast Real Estate and they'll help you make your dreams become a reality.

  2. While here on vacation and you've found the home of your dreams, shop for a mortgage at Mendocino Mortgage.

  3. Stop by Coast Getaways to schedule your next stay in Mendocino at one of the many vacation homes on the coast.

  4. Stroll to the Ford House Museum & Visitor Center on the ocean side of Main Street, check out the photographs of tourists arriving on ships in Mendocino Bay and swinging by pulley from the ship to the bluffs. Dwell with gratitude on your arrival by car.

  5. Stop & smell the roses or the rhododendrons or the fuchsias at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

  6. You won't be able to miss the historic Chinese Temple of Kwan Tai on Albion Street. It's the only building painted bright red and green.

  7. Take a "short" hike through the pygmy forest.

  8. Make it a spa day! Schedule a manicure, pedicure, facial and massage at Third Court Day Spa.

  9. Follow the Haul Road at the east end of Big River Beach on foot, bike or horseback and explore what you can of the 7,000+ acres of CA State Park land on the banks of Big River. Return to the mouth of the river to play in the waves and explore the beach after your excursion.

  10. Take a kayak tour and explore the splendor of the sea caves at Van Damme State Park from Kayak Mendocino. No experience necessary!

  11. Follow the handicapped accessible tide pool trail at MacKerricher State Park to meet the neighborhood sea lions and study rock lounging and sunbathing techniques from the guys who inspired the expression creature comfort.

  12. Enjoy a cool, shady stroll through the Fern Canyon in VanDamme State Park.

  13. Treat yourself to dinner at the famous Cafe Beaujolais or, better yet, get someone else to treat you.

  14. Take a trip to Provence while in Mendocino at Sallie Mac's on Lansing Street.

  15. Take a refreshing break at our old-fashioned ice cream parlor for some handmade ice cream, pizza or a quick snack, Frankies on Ukiah Street.

  16. Take a short walk...or a long one on Ten Mile Beach north of Fort Bragg.

  17. If you brought your pet on vacation with you, treat them to a spa day or their own at Evergreen Barn Grooming.

  18. Buy a stack of books on Mendocino at the Gallery Bookshop. Be sure to include "Mendocino and Other Stories" by Ann Packer, "James Dean on the Mendocino Coast" edited by Bruce Levene, and "The Glove Box Guide: Mendocino Coast" by Bob Lorentzen.

  19. Attend an art gallery opening and stay until closing.

  20. Toot a Rams Horn Trumpet, strum an Appalachian Autoharp or one of the many other eclectic musical instruments at Lark in the Morning. If you are not musical, buy a how-to video and learn how to toot and strum.

  21. Take a whalewatching excursion from Noyo Harbor anytime from December through March.

  22. Share a one-pound hamburger with a friend at Mendo Burger (delicious).

  23. Engineer an opportunity to take a whole or half-day ride on the Skunk Train through the redwoods.

  24. Sample a pint of nationally acclaimed Red Seal Ale, Scrimshaw Pilsner, or Old No.38 Stout at the North Coast Brewing Company.

  25. Play a round of golf at the Little River Golf Course where the spectacular views will make it hard to keep your eyes on the ball.

  26. Walk the Haul Road along the ocean from Fort Bragg to MacKerricher State Park, pausing only to watch the surfers at Virgin Creek Beach (about 3 miles one way), or continue all the way to Ten Mile River (you guessed it, about 10 miles one way).

  27. Saddle up for a beachfront trail ride or a redwood forest tour at Ross Ranch.

  28. Make up a picnic basket at Mendocino Market & enjoy lunch at your favorite spot on the Mendocino Headlands State Park.

  29. Tour the Guest House Museum in Fort Bragg for a classic example of early coastal architecture and the history of logging.

  30. If you'd like a taste of local color pick up the latest issue of The Mendocino Beacon and The Fort Bragg Advocate, our local newspapers.

  31. Searching for something special fro your four-legged friend? Stop by Paws in Fort Bragg for a treat.

  32. Pick out the perfect kite or a locally stitched quilt at The Village Toy Store,

  33. Try oceanfront dining at the Ledford House.

  34. Stop at Moody's on Lansing Street for organic coffee and wi-fi internet access.

  35. Book a private plane & a pilot at the Little River Airport for a scenic photo expedition over the coastline.

  36. Make a reservation for a sunset gourmet dining experience atop the bluffs of Albion at Albion River Inn.

  37. Hike the waterfall trail in Russian Gulch State Park, a favorite of local outdoorsmen & women.

  38. Drive the coast along Highway One north to Westport and lose yourself in the magnificent scenery.

  39. Try your hand at abalone diving or fishing from a kayak. See Sub Surface Progression for your wetsuit and rental needs.

  40. If you want to own your own piece of the coast stop by Coast Real Estate and they'll help you make your dreams come true.

  41. Snap up a roll of film from Visual Feast and photograph the Village from the Mendocino Land Trust's coastal access on Brewery Gulch Drive.

  42. Listen to 95.3 on the radio for the local "Rock Station of the Year" KOZT.

  43. Buy a salmon fresh off the boats in Noyo Harbor and have a beach barbeque.

  44. Hike out on the jetty at Noyo Harbor & welcome home the fleet. With any luck, your ship may come in.

  45. Stop by the Mendocino Barber Shop, complete with old fashioned barber shop pole, if you find the males in your group are in need of grooming.

  46. Visit the Kelley House Museum in Mendocino & enjoy the 1861 original residence of the Kelley family along with a collection of 1800s photographs of the historic buildings of Mendocino. Buy a book about local history.

  47. Order a stack of Oles famous Swedish hotcakes with your breakfast at the Little River Inn.

  48. Pick out a new pair of binoculars from Out of This World and try them out watching whales from the outdoor deck at the Bayview Cafe.

  49. Watch a 49ers game at Pattersons Pub.

  50. Take home an original work of art from a Mendocino gallery.

  51. Watch fudge being made at Papa Bear's on Main Street, & when you can't watch any more, eat!

  52. Enjoy a performance of live theatre by the Mendocino Theatre Company.

  53. Take a drive down Scenic Highway One to Point Arena & tour the historic lighthouse and museum.

  54. Tour the pottery and weaving studios at the Mendocino Art Center & see artisans at work creating original works of art.

  55. Dive into retail therapy at Rainsong on the corner of Lansing and Ukiah Streets in Mendocino and at Rainsong Shoes just a block north on Lansing.

  56. Soak in a hot tub and enjoy a massage at Sweetwater Gardens.

  57. Enjoy everyone's favorite homemade pies from Laurel Deli & Desserts.

  58. Enjoy a matinee or evening performance of the Gloriana Opera Company as this talented company recreates one of your favorite Broadway musicals.

  59. Pick up a trinket for any or every holiday at Seasons in Mendocino.

  60. Have a facial or massage at Visage on Ukiah Street in Mendocino.

  61. Try on an Akubra, Derby, Borsalino or other exotic hat at Deja-Vu, the Mendocino Hat Company. Discover a time and place you may have been before.

  62. Take a drive down Highway 128 and pick out a private swimming hole on the Navarro River.

  63. Go green and pick up some natural organic produce, teas, herbs and snacks at Corners of the Mouth.

  64. Stop by Harvest at Mendosa's, Mendocino's grocery store, for a warm bowl of soup on a cool foggy day.

  65. Take an art class at the Mendocino Art Center and learn book binding, freehand papercutting or scrap metal welding.

  66. Watch a Little League game & eat a hot dog at Friendship Park.

  67. Pick out a souvenir tee shirt from the Mendocino Volunteer Fire Department.

  68. Chow down at a Sunday morning pancake breakfast at the Mendocino Firehouse, the Catholic Church or the local Grange halls.

  69. Don't miss out on a "Backpacker" cookie and latte at the Mendocino Cooke Company, in Fort Bragg .

  70. Take a step back in history and visit the Point Cabirrlo Lighthouse built in 1908 with the original Fresnel lens still in operation, located between Mendocino and Fort Bragg.

  71. Bowl a couple of frames at the Noyo Bowl. You might find its right up your alley.

  72. Hug a Redwood at Hendy Woods State Park.

  73. Sample some handmade ice cream in a waffle cone at Cowlick's in Fort Bragg.

  74. Rent a canoe at Catch-a-Canoe & Bicycles, Too, and paddle up Big River taking advantage of the tides. Or rent a bicycle and explore Mendocino on two wheels.

  75. Pick up something soft and cozy for your baby at Bebe Lapin, where all the hip baby bunnies go.

  76. Stop by Racines in Fort Bragg for a sketch book and pastels & create some local art of your own.

  77. Catch a bargain show time on Tightwad Tuesdays at Coast Cinemas in Fort Bragg.

  78. Buy a baguette from the Mendocino Bakery, select a favorite jam from Mendocino Jams & Jellies and pig out!

  79. Browse through the antique shops in downtown Fort Bragg and take home a treasure.

  80. Go to Jughandle State Park and climb the ecological staircase.

  81. Rent a movie made in Mendocino at Mendo Video.

  82. Pack a picnic lunch & enjoy it at Lake Cleone. Bring a little something extra to share with the birds.

  83. Stroll the streets of Mendocino & Fort Bragg to shop for that special gift for your sweetie.

  84. Get a day pass from the Redwood Health Club & enjoy an exercise class, sauna, hot tub, workout, swim or racquetball game.

  85. Explore the cemeteries in Mendocino and Little River. If you get tired, move on to livelier pursuits. Dont make this your final resting place!

  86. Trifle with truffles at the Mendocino Chocolate Company!

  87. Spend an afternoon taking a count of Mendocino cats with extra toes. If you need a paws, stop for a yogurt at Cultured Affair.

  88. Pick up a bird book from Cheshire Bookstore in Fort Bragg & spend the morning identifying the local fowl on the headlands or one of the state parks.

  89. Take a drive through the Anderson Valley vineyard region & sample the best of Mendocino County wines at the tasting rooms along Highway One.

  90. Enjoy an afternoon ocean excursion with Anchor Charters out of Noyo Harbor.

  91. Rent a metal detector from Fort Bragg Rent-All & search the beaches for buried treasure.

  92. Find yourself something unique at Tangents in Fort Bragg, a local novelty shop.

  93. Have a bouquet made to your liking at The Village Florist, because you can never go wrong with beautiful flowers.

  94. Take the scenic drive to Montgomery Woods State Reserve east of Comptche & walk the trails through five groves of virgin redwoods.

  95. Buy a stack of picture postcards from the Mendocino Gift Company, get cozy on the bench overlooking the beach at the west end of Main Street & write to all your friends about the wonders of the Mendocino Coast.

  96. Play Bingo to pick up a little extra spending money. Buy a new dauber for the occasion. Consult the local papers for the nightly games.

  97. Stop by the Grey Whale Bar at the MacCallum House on Albion Street and sample the famous appetizers.

  98. Don't miss The Restaurant on Main Street in Fort Bragg for an artful dining experience, both in the food & the wonderful artwork which surrounds you.

  99. As you stroll around historic Mendocino try to spot Jessica's house from "Murder She Wrote" and try your hand at identifying other of the shows landmarks and scenes of the crime.

  100. Treat your children to an art-for-kids experience at the Mendocino Art Center & treat yourself to a few hours "without kids" experience.

  101. Plan a much longer stay on the Mendocino Coast for your next trip so that you can try all 101 Things to Do on the Mendocino Coast.

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1806A Highway 128, Navarro, CA 95463  707-895-2255
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