Mendocino is wrapped in spectacular natural beauty. From our garden, you can step right on to State Park property and begin enjoying the beach, rocky cliffs, sea caves, wildlife, and bluff top trails. Within a few minutes drive you can be exploring hiking and biking trails in many of the nearby state parks and reserves. Bring your outdoor clothes!

Big River Beach - 200 footsteps away. Protected white sand ocean beach.

Big River State Park - California's newest state park, the estuary is the longest unspoiled estuary in California. You can rent a kayak or canoe and paddle up the river six or eight miles. The Mendocino Land Trust offers free docent-lead interpretive walks along the Big River Estuary on designated Saturdays.  For the schedule and more information click here.

Headlands State Park - The headlands trail rims the bluff top. It starts at the beach or you can catch it behind the Presbyterian Church, three doors down from us. Up to 3 miles of walking possible. Look for whales, seals, osprey, and pelicans. Watch the waves crash!

Montgomery Woods - 45 minutes east. Majestic virgin redwood forest. Unspoiled and uncrowded. Two miles of trails. See if you can spot the world's tallest tree (unmarked, of course!)

Jackson State Demonstration Forest -5 miles east. A 50,000 acre forest managed for lumber, there are hiking trails and miles of logging roads for mountain biking.

Van Damme State Park & Beach - 3 miles south. Ocean kayaking, Fern Canyon Trail, Pygmy Forest.

Russian Gulch State Park - 2 miles north. Hiking on the Waterfall Trail and headlands trails.

Caspar State Beach - 3 miles north. Tiny, but beautiful beach.

Jughandle State Park & Beach - 4 miles north. Hiking on the 5 mile Ecological Staircase interpretive trail through terraces to the Pygmy forest. Beautiful beach.

Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens - 10 minutes north. Giant rhododendrons, botanical garden, and trails to the wild headlands and ocean. 47 acres.

Glass Beach - 25 minutes north. Walk the beach and collect glass that has been polished by the ocean.

MacKerricher State Park & Beach - 35 minutes north. Beach, picnicking, hiking, biking, tide pools, and whale, seal, and bird watching.

All of the sporting activities below are within 45 minutes of the inn. If you are of a sporting nature, go for it! But don't forget to relax, too.

Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too 1 mile south. Bike rentals, river canoes and kayaks.

Lost Coast Adventures - 2 miles south. White water ocean kayaking from Van Damme State Park.

Little River Golf & Tennis - 2 miles south at Little River Inn.

Mendocino Tennis Club - 3 miles east. Buy a day pass for use of the courts.

Redwood Health Club - 15 minutes north in Fort Bragg. Purchase a day pass to use the facilities.

North Coast Fishing Adventures - 15 minutes north at Noyo Harbor. Charter boats for ocean fishing whale watching.

All Aboard Adventures - 15 minutes north at Noyo Harbor. Charter boats for ocean fishing whale watching.

Ross Ranch - 40 minutes south near Elk. Guided horseback riding on the beach.

Ricochet Ridge Ranch - 35 minutes north. Guided horseback riding on the beach.

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Mendocino human history begins with the Pomo Indians who lived at the mouth of Big River. They existed in peace there for thousands of years. Then in 1850, news of a wrecked clipper ship reached San Francisco. A crew was sent north to salvage the cargo. They didn't find the cargo, but they saw enormous stands of giant redwood trees. This discovery led to the start of the lumber industry, and the beginning of Mendocino Village in 1851. Most of the buildings in Mendocino were built in the heyday of the lumber boom, and reflect the New England roots of the prominent citizens. The town began a decline in 1934 when the lumber mill closed. It wasn't until 1957 that Mendocino was rediscovered by artists who founded the Mendocino Art Center in 1959. In 1960 the western headlands became a state park. In 1969, the threat of commercial development spurred locals to push to have the southern headlands included in the park. More work by locals led to the 1971 naming of the whole town an Historic District, with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The peace and beauty in which the Pomos existed, along with the legacy of artists, preservationists and independent local residents are what make Mendocino the wonderful place that it is today.

Kelley House Museum - 2 blocks down Main Street. History of Mendocino, archives, books, photos, research center.

Ford House Museum - 2 blocks down Main Street. Local natural and human history. Model of 1890's Mendocino.

Pt. Cabrillo Light Station - 3 miles north. _ mile walk from parking area to beautiful and rugged headlands, light station under restoration.

Point Arena Light House - 60 minutes south. Windswept headlands, museum, and a climb to the top of the tower.

Temple Kwan Tai - 4 blocks. 1882 Taoist temple. Open to the public on special occasions.

Guest House Museum - 20 minutes north, in Fort Bragg. Coastal history .

Mendocino Art Center - Three galleries, retail art shop, library, gardens, classes, events, theater.

Art Galleries and Shops - Everything from art quality quilts to furniture and clothing to musical instruments and telescopes!

Mendocino County Woodworkers - A collective of Craftsmen, Woodworkers, Builders, Designers & Purveyors of Fine Woodworking in Mendocino county.

Mendocino Theater Company - Excellent plays year-round, drama & comedy, traditional to avant garde located at the Mendocino Art Center.

Glorianna Opera Company - 21 years of outstanding musical theater, showcase, & concert performances.

Opera Fresca - Professional resident opera company. Opera access outreach program. Fully staged opera to Italian cabaret.

Mendocino Music Festival (Saturday, July 10 - Saturday, July 24, 2010) - Two full weeks (including three weekends) of beautiful music by the sea. Orchestral, opera, big band, chamber, blues, world, ballet music and more - on the Mendocino Headlands and at various venues along the coast. We’re just 3 blocks from the big tent.

Order your tickets when you make your reservation with Alegria and receive 10% off all your tickets, a collectible Music Festival poster from the archives, a Music Festival mug and a Music Festival shirt!

Caspar Inn - Rock n' Roll, blues, folk, karaoke, fun! Wednesday - Saturday

Symphony of the Redwoods - The coast's own orchestra presents three symphony orchestra concerts a year, four chamber music concerts and a chamber music workshop.

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Order a picnic to be delivered to your room. If you'll be arriving late, after the restaurants close (as early as 8:30 in the off-season) it's an especially good option for dinner or a late night nosh.

In the village:

Café Beaujolais - One block away. Fine gourmet dining, with an international reputation. On site brick oven bakery, eclectic gardens.

955 Ukiah Street Restaurant - 1 blocks away. Fine dining with a wide ranging menu served in a former art gallery. Wine Spectator Magazine liked it.

Mendocino Café - 2 blocks away. In a casual setting, there is local art on the walls, local residents at the tables, and great food on the plates.

Bay View Café - 3 blocks away. Affordable food is served upstairs overlooking the ocean in a casual family style dining room, or out on the deck.

MacCallum House Restaurant - 3 blocks away. Fine dining in a Victorian setting, or café/bar dining in an ocean view glassed-in porch. Fresh organic ingredients, thoughtfully prepared.

Mendocino Hotel - 3 blocks away. Elegant Victorian dining room in the historic Hotel. Have a drink with the locals in the beautiful bar/lobby.

Moosse Café - 4 blocks away. Great food and desserts in a lively and beautiful dining room. Some ocean view tables.

The Ravens Restaurant at the Stanford Inn - actually, a mile south of the village. Excellent vegan and vegetWestn food made from fresh organic ingredients in a beautiful setting with ocean, river and forest views. So tasty, even ominivores will enjoy it!

Little River

Stevenswood Lodge Restaurant - 2 miles south. First class dining in a forest setting.

Little River Inn Restaurant - 3 miles south. Great food and a view of the Inn's beautiful garden.

Albion

Albion River Inn - 15 minutes south. Bluff top ocean view restaurant serving consistently great food. Amazing wine list, helpful wait staff, live music.

Ledford House - 16 minutes south. Bluff top restaurant featuring gourmet food, spectacular views, and the chef's art on the walls, too. Live music.

Mendocino Wine Company tasting room - On Main Street, within walking distance.  Wide selection of wines and gifts. Includes Parducci, Sketchbook, Zingaro, Big Yellow Cab, Roselle, Zig Zag Zin, Tusk'N Red and Ditka.

Husch Vineyards - Friendly, casual tasting room with wonderful wines in the Anderson Valley. Self-guided vineyard tour. Monthly open houses with barrel tastings and hors d'oeuvres. Picnic benches. On Hwy. 128 near Philo (south side of road.) 45 minutes away.

Navarro Vineyards - Beautiful setting, picnic benches. Great wines. Friendly staff. Also on 128 near Philo (north side of road).

Esterlina Vineyards and Winery - a family operated boutique winery, nestled in the highlands above Philo. "Quietly making wines that are too good to ignore." To visit the winery, first go to their website and get directions, they are 2 miles off of Highway 128.

Clos du Bois - Named "Winery of the Decade" by Wine & Spirits Magazine. Visit their tasting room and picnic area in the Alexander Valley, Sonoma County.

Pacific Star - 20 miles north of us on Hwy One, this winery is perched at the very edge overlooking the ocean. Stunning views and wines.

Mendo Wine Tours– take a day long tour of California’s Other Wine Country: the Anderson Valley in a stretched luxury SUV limousine. Includes VIP tours and tastings at 4-5 wineries and gourmet boxed lunch. Experience a day of wine tasting without the hassle or hazards of driving.

Kite Festival to benefit Habitat for Humanity (mid May)

Mendocino Music Festival (Saturday, July 10 - Saturday July 24, 2010)
Two full weeks (including three weekends) of beautiful music by the sea. Orchestral, opera, big band, chamber, blues, world, ballet music and more - on the Mendocino Headlands and at various venues along the coast. We’re just 3 blocks from the big tent.

Order your tickets when you make your reservation with Alegria and receive 10% off all your tickets, a collectible Music Festival poster from the archives, a Music Festival mug and a Music Festival shirt!

Art in the Gardens (mid August)
Local artists display their work in the Botanical Gardens; wine & food tasting.

Winesong! (early September) to benefit the Mendocino Coast Hospital. Elegant annual wine tasting event and auction, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

Kelly House Silent Auction (beginning of October) to benefit Kelly House Museum.

Candlelight Inn Tour (2nd week of December 2010, exact dates to be announced)
Tour the Inns of Little River and Albion, Mendocino, and Fort Bragg. 4 - 7 pm each evening. Light refreshments included at each inn. Twenty-five dollar ticket covers all three nights and benefits Mendocino Coast children through Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Mendocino Unified Schools Enrichment Fund. Two free tickets included with a three night stay at Alegria. ($50 value. You must mention this internet offer when making your reservation.) December special rates apply!

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For more events, please see:
Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce (www.mendocinocoast.com)
Mendocino County Alliance (www.gomendo.com)
Mendocino Traveler's Guide (www.mendocinoguide.com)
Mendocino.Com
Mendocino.Org
MendocinoFun.com

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