Everywhere you explore in Mendocino County, you'll find interesting places and faces. Because of the relative isolation, Mendocino remains mostly historic and pristine, escaping the modern sprawl of Condominiums and Malls.

And the people who are attracted here
love it that way!

Points of Interest Museums Interesting Locals

MacKerricher State Park

Popular with hikers, joggers, equestrians and bicyclists. This park is best known for all the seals that live in this beautiful and varied habitat of sandy beaches, ocean bluffs, sand dunes and tide pools to forests and wetlands.

Gualala Art Center

Local community arts organization, located in Gualala, CA, dedicated to promoting public access and participation in the arts since 1961. You'll find art exhibits, workshops & classes, classical & popular music performances, theater and much more.

SEABISCUIT ~ Slept Here!

Thought you might like to know; Seabiscuit, subject of the critically acclaimed major motion picture and America's favorite race horse in the 1930's, lived between Willits and Ukiah.

Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, Mendocino Coast

Glass Beach is one of the most unique beaches on the Mendocino Coast, if not the world. It's not the occasional piece of glass as you stroll along - This awesome cove is covered with glass!

Pygmy Forest in Van Damme

Because of poor soil characteristics, and a hardpan that precludes penetration by roots or water, trees on this site are dwarfed. The same species in the surrounding forest off the pygmy soils, attain full height.

Mendocino Lighthouses

The Mendocino Coast has two lighthouses that are open to the public
POINT CABRILLO LIGHTHOUSE
North of Mendocino
POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE
South of Mendocino

Bowling Ball Beach/Schooner Gulch

Sunset watching, fishing, picnicking and surfing are popular activities here. A small parking area with two trailheads is on the west side of the highway. The southern trail leads to Schooner Gulch Beach and the northern trail provides access to Bowling Ball Beach.

Skunk Train

Since 1885 the historic Skunk Train has made its way through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River canyon. Today's riders enjoy the same pristine views that have remained largely unchanged for well over a century.

Temple of Kwan Tai

The oldest of California's Chinese houses of worship in continuous use, the temple may date back as far as 1854, though its documented history reaches only to 1883. The Chinese built many temples in California, but no others remain on the North Coast.

Ford House Museum

Constructed in 1854, this home today houses a visitor center for Mendocino Headlands State Park. The museum features models of vessels which once plied coastal waters, carrying lumber, passengers and other essentials to those who made their homes on the North Coast. It also features an elaborate model of the town of Mendocino in 1890.

Grace Hudson Museum

The Museum's collections consist of more than 30,000 inter-related objects, with significant holdings of local Pomo Indian artifacts (particularly basketry) ethnographic field notes, unpublished manuscripts, historic photographs and the world's largest collection of Grace Hudson paintings.

Roots of Motive Power

Roots of Motive Power (Roots) preserves and restores steam- and diesel-powered equipment used in the California north coast logging industry from the 1850s to the present, located in Willits.

Confusion Hill

The Home of Mystery, Fun, and Family Entertainment since 1949. There is the World Famous Gravity House, the Redwood Shoe house, the Worlds Largest Free Standing Redwood Chainsaw Carving and the unique miniature Mountain Train Ride to enjoy.

Murder She Wrote

The popular television series starring Angela Lansbury, features the exteriors of Mendocino Village. A Victorian bed and breakfast in Mendocino was used as Jessica Fletcher's home in the fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine.

Mendocino Shoe Works

Jason Clapp has traveled the world to learn the art of custom shoe crafting and he's back to make them in Mendocino with Old-World techniques.

Custom Purses, Wallets and Belts
Custom Shoes, Shoe Repair and more...

Presbyterian Church

This is one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in continuous use in California. Organized as the Presbyterian Church on November 6, 1859, the building constructed of local redwood, was dedicated on July 5, 1868.

Kelley House Museum

Constructed in 1861 by William H. Kelley, one of Mendocino's founding fathers. Located on Main St. in Mendocino, overlooking the mouth of Big River and Mendocino Bay; it houses an extensive collection of photographs and family histories.
SAT, 11am - Docent lead Historic Walking Tours

Rubaiyat Beads in Fort Bragg

Discover world treasures from beads, findings, tribal jewelry, ethnic textiles to incense and sacred aromatherapy oils and burners, scented candles, metaphysical books, CDs, crystals, locally-made glass beads, and stained glass art.

Flynn Creek Circus

Flynn Creek Circus is a Mendocino based circus-theatre company pushing traditional arts to an innovative edge. They strive to stimulate wonder, and radically inspire all that watch by demonstrating disciplined artistic and athletic risk.

Hal Wagenet

Born in and still resides in Mendocino County, Hal Wagenet spent his youth as the lead guitarist of the rock band, It's a Beautiful Day. These days he spends his days on his lovely estate and DJ'ing local weddings. Listen to their Hit Whitebird

MERIDIAN GREEN ~ LOCAL ARTIST

Daughter of folk music legend Bob Gibson, Meridian grew up in Greenwich Village, enchanted by the magic of live music and songs well sung. After coming to live on the Mendocino coast, she performed with the Gypsy Gulch International String Band, with former Byrds member, Gene Parsons and as a solo artist.

Gene Parsons

Best known as the drummer for The Byrds from 1968 to 1972, Flying Burrito Brothers, and still gigs with David Hayes and Meridian Green. In 1968, he invented the StringBender, building and installing them in musicians' instruments ever since. The StringBender Custom Shop is equipped to install a StringBender in your flat-top acoustic guitar, Telecaster, or Les Paul now.

David Hayes

Acclaimed bassist, guitarist, producer, singer, songwriter, best known for his work with Van Morrison, Jesse Colin Young, Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes and continues to perform solo and in duos, trios and quartets with Gene Parsons, Gwyneth Moreland, Bill Bottrell, Steven Bates and many others.

Montgomery Woods State Park

Half way between Mendocino and Ukiah, you will find ancient redwood groves in Montgomery Woods State Park, you'll find one of the TALLEST LIVING THING in the world, (a redwood tree) is in this grove.

Drive Thru Tree

Located 175 miles north of San Francisco at the junction of US 101 and Coast Highway 1, lies the tiny hamlet of Leggett known worldwide as the home of the Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree.

The Crows Nest Visitor Center

Take a walk on the gorgeous south Fort Bragg Coastal Trail and stop by to see our articulated Sea Lion skeletons, search for whales through our telescopes, or just chat with one of our wonderful docents about our exhibits and programs.
Hours: Thursday-Monday 10:00am - 4:00pm

Mendocino Artists

A collective of Mendocino painters, sculptors, jewelers, glass artists, potters, photographers, fabric artists, silk screeners, weavers, beaders, candlemakers, and haberdashers from Mendocino County.

Mendocino Land Trust

Their mission is to conserve Mendocino's working farmlands and forests, wildlife habitat, open space, scenic vistas, watersheds, and to facilitate public access. The Land Trust promotes healthy recreation in natural settings and sustainable experiences for residents and visitors in Mendocino County.

MENDOCINO MUSIC FESTIVAL

JULY ~ Mendocino
Evenings include orchestra concerts, Big Band concert, chamber music ensembles, dance, blues, world, and folk music. Days include lecture/recitals at the Piano Series, a children's matinee, Young Musicians and chamber concerts throughout Mendocino Village.

Guest House Museum

The Guest House Museum located on Main Street (Highway 1), houses the repository of artifacts and records telling the story of Fort Bragg. This beautiful Victorian is a centerpiece of Fort Bragg and is often a gathering place for local events.

Mendocino Weather

WHAT'S MENDOCINO WEATHER LIKE? You've booked the perfect place to stay, reserved the best restaurants and now your wondering:
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Here's some suggestions regarding weather.

Jug Handle State Reserve

NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK: Explore a 2.5-mile self-guided nature trail called The Ecological Staircase. Each of the terraces was uplifted from sea level about 100,000 years before the one below it. The lowest terrace consists of prairie; the second is covered with pines; the third supports a unique pygmy forest with knee-high trees possibly several decades old.

Mendocino Theater Co.

Mendocino Theater Co. performs in the intimate 83 seat Theatre, located in Mendocino, at the Mendocino Art Center. Live theater presents a variety of plays ranging from great literary classics to modern comedies to original dramas.

Vichy Springs Resort Spa

The only naturally warm and carbonated mineral baths in North America. Overnight guests in the bed & breakfast and cottages enjoy a full buffet breakfast and use of the famous "champagne" baths, hot soaking pool and Olympic size swimming pool (in the summer).

Mendocino Redwood Burl

Specializing in unique pieces of furniture handmade from Mendocino Redwood Burl wood. Each and every piece is different and one-of-a-kind! Take home your favorite, because it really is "locally made". The tree was grown in Mendocino and the furniture is made in Mendocino!

Russian Gulch History

Contains a total area of 1,162 acres with 7,630 feet of ocean frontage. One of the many features of the headlands is the "blow hole." Its formation was made by the incessant pounding of waves against the coastal headlands.

Mendocino History

Mendocino was discovered by mistake. Scouts were sent to salvage the remains of the Frolic shipwreck. By the time they arrived, the ship was demolished by the sea, but they noticed the huge redwood trees and the rest is history...

Mendocino VOLUNTEER Fire Department

MENDOCINO.com salutes our HERO's! Dedicated to providing a high level of response to emergencies in the Mendocino and mutual aid to neighboring districts with responses to fires, medical emergencies and traffic accidents, our unique environment requires that they specialize in cliff and ocean rescue.

Savings Bank in Mendocino

Serving since 1903, located in Mendocino on the corner of Lansing Street and Ukiah in the historic Masonic building. The Masonic Hall in Mendocino was built over a century ago in 1866. The statue on top of was hand carved, out of one piece of a giant Redwood trunk on Big River beach.

ATM on Exterior

Mendocino Beacon Newspaper

Find our local Mendocino news online, including top stories, rentals, business, classified and much more>>>

MacKerricher Family History

Everyone has a story and the MacKerricher's story of how they came to the Mendocino Coast is fastinating. Now there is an incredibly beautiful State Park with their name.

Filmed In Mendocino

Take a look at the long list of movies and television shows that have been filmed entirely or in part in and around Mendocino County. Bet you've seen at least one and you didn't realize you were looking at Mendocino!!

Best View of Mendocino

Picture postcard view of Mendocino Village from across the bay! Mendocino Bay Overlook offers a spectacular view of the village of Mendocino from south of Big River. Located off Road 500B/Brewery Gulch Drive immediately south of Mendocino (after the bridge).>> Click for Map.

Tides and tidepools

The sun and the moon move in cycles affecting the ebb and flow of the Tides, wind and storms. We have two high and low tides of unequal heights each day, with a time difference of approximately six hours between them. Tides below one foot in height are ideal for viewing organisms in our majestic tidepools.

NEVER TURN YOUR BACK TO THE OCEAN!

Blessed Sacrament Church

Mass: Saturday 4:00 p.m.
Your wedding day will be a uniquely memorable experience with a special touch of romance in this incredibly picturesque location. The rural setting and the powerful Pacific ocean provide an ideal backdrop for a romantic wedding ceremony.

Mendocino Schools

The Mendocino Unified School District has a highly dedicated teaching staff, active and involved parents, a supportive community, and best of all, a wonderful group of students!

City of 10,000 Buddhas

This international Buddhist community and monastery is one of the first Chinese Zen Buddhist temples in the U.S., with one of the largest Buddhist communities in the Western Hemisphere. Situated in Talmage, occupies over 488 acres of meadows, orchards, and forests, of which only 80 acres are presently being used.

Willie Nelson - Mendocino County Line

...As the sun sank west of the Mendocino County line I have these pictures and I keep these photographs To remind me of a time These pictures and these photographs Let me know I'm doin' fine I used to make you happy once upon a time But the sun sank west of the Mendocino County line!