Today I want to share my 48-hour Mendocino itinerary with you. If you want to take a classic road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway in Northern California, it’s just the thing. This part of the Golden State is the ideal travel destination for discovering the best of the West Coast without the crowds. I’m here now and I’m excited to show you the highlights of Mendocino County. I’ve included an interactive map you can follow, and the whole itinerary is dog-friendly.
48-Hour Mendocino Itinerary
There’s nothing quite like the Northern California coast. Having grown up in the Bay Area, I’ve been road tripping here my whole life. This is one of the most beautiful parts of my home state, and I can’t get over how spectacular the rugged shoreline and boulder-studded beaches are.
That’s particularly true of Mendocino County. Located north of the wineries of Napa and Sonoma, this relaxed coastal gem is one of the Golden State’s best-kept secrets. Home to dramatic coastline, towering redwood forests, award-winning Anderson Valley vineyards, and some of the most unique places to stay in California, it’s worth escaping to.
Today I’m doing just that. I’m driving from San Francisco to Mendocino for a quick 2-day getaway with my other half and our pup. Given how much we all love the coast, we can’t wait to see what our vacation has in store for us.
Where to Stay in Mendocino
We’ve booked a stay at the Cottages at Little River Cove for our 48-hour Mendocino itinerary. Situated just south of the pretty village of Mendocino, this place has a collection of colorful bungalows with stunning ocean views along the Pacific Coast Highway.
The cabins feature big, comfortable beds, kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, and decks with views. Outside there’s an expansive lawn and Adirondack chairs overlooking the Mendocino coast. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and pet-friendly (The Pup loves it).
As soon as we arrive, we’re enamored with the colorful cabins, panoramic vistas, and great location. If this place gets you as excited for a road trip as it does us, you can book a stay here.
Day 1
Before we arrive at the Cottages at Little River Cove, we start our 48-hour Mendocino itinerary with a 3-hour drive from San Francisco to Mendocino via Highway 101. We’ve taken the coastal route along Highway 1 before, but this time we want to see some of the inland areas we missed on our last visits.
Boonville
After stopping for a quick lunch at MoE’s Eagles Nest Deli in Sonoma County’s Cloverdale, we drive north on the winding Highway 128 and pull into Boonville around 2pm.
This town in Mendocino County is known for many things, but the one that intrigues me most is that it has its own language. Boontling was created in the 1890s, and while fewer than 100 people still speak it, it’s still a fun claim to fame.
We stop for a coffee at Mosswood Market, then walk along the main road to take in the scene. There’s everything from hotels to tasting rooms and distilleries here, not to mention chic boutiques like Farmhouse Mercantile and a cute ice cream shop called Paysanne.
As we stroll down the street, we take in historic wooden facades and check out the menus at the restaurants in town. It all has a 19th-century feel to it, and we keep our ears open for sounds of Boontling as we go.
Navarro River Redwoods State Park
Leaving Boonville, we continue our 48-hour Mendocino itinerary by cruising past famous Anderson Valley wineries on our way to the coast. I did tastings at a few of them on my last road trip to Mendocino, and I look out for familiar names like Goldeneye as we head north through the vineyards around Philo.
Soon the vines give way to trees and we find ourselves driving through Navarro River Redwoods State Park. This forest runs along Mendocino County’s Navarro River. It features 660 acres of second-growth redwoods on either side of Highway 128. It’s an 11-mile tree tunnel to the ocean, and it makes for a beautiful drive.
When we reach the coast, we head up Highway 1 and check into our accommodation at the Cottages at Little River Cove. Our yellow bungalow has a blue front door and a spacious interior, and we feel right at home as we unpack our bags.
Mendocino Village
Leaving our cottage, we continue our itinerary with a quick drive to the historic village of Mendocino. One of the most beautiful coastal towns in California, its neat grid of streets is lined with colorful wooden houses and dotted with restaurants, cafes, and shops. Unique old water towers punctuate the skyline.
Mendocino village is known for everything from its historic architecture to its art galleries and heritage hotels. But there’s natural beauty here, too. The dramatic bluffs around the streets show off views of rock arches. Mendocino Headlands State Park spans 347 acres of trails, secluded beaches, and classic coastal scenery as well.
When we arrive, we park on Church Street by the eye-catching house of worship and continue our itinerary with a walk along the cliffs and around Point Mendocino. A narrow trail leads us out to the edge and along the coast, offering views of sandy coves, rock arches, and Portuguese Beach. We spot orange starfish, seals swimming, and sea otters at play, too.
After walking the trail, we head into the village. The colorful houses are fun to see up close. Many sport plaques with details of their heritage status and the dates they were built. A lot of them were constructed in the 19th century, and there’s a real sense of history here.
When we come to the center of town, we stroll down Main Street. There are all kinds of shops, restaurants, cafes, and galleries here. We love the jam store, the pretty gardens, the tasting rooms, and the historic atmosphere of the Mendocino Hotel lobby.
Around the corner we discover more shops and restaurants on Lansing Street. From local bars and pubs to coffee shops and bakeries, there’s a lot to like behind the historic facades.
Dinner in Little River
When we’re done exploring, we head back to the Cottages at Little River Cove to freshen up for dinner. Thankfully the restaurant where we’ve booked a table is a short walk from our accommodation. We stroll over to Little River Inn, a beautiful historic hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
When we arrive we settle in for a pre-dinner drink at an outdoor table with waterfront panoramas. Sipping local wine from the Anderson Valley, we enjoy a cheese plate as we watch the sun start to sink beyond the boulders. We can’t think of a better place to kick off our first evening in Mendocino.
When dinner o’clock rolls around, we head down a path to the covered garden. This outdoor dining area is both enchanting and dog-friendly, and we order a feast of salads, Brazilian seafood stew, and roasted organic chicken. When we’re finished, we walk outside to find a stunning sunset sky. It’s the perfect end to our evening.
Day 2
The next morning our 48-hour Mendocino itinerary continues with a quick breakfast on the deck at GoodLife Cafe & Bakery. We follow it up with a drive south along the coast, cruising through towns like Elk and Manchester as we make our way down Highway 1.
Point Arena
After just under an hour we reach Point Arena, a place that’s eluded us on previous trips. There’s a famous lighthouse here, not to mention clifftop trails above the mighty Pacific Ocean.
We drive up to the Point Arena Lighthouse, stopping outside the entry gates to take photos. Its whitewashed form stands out on the landscape, and it’s beautiful to see. We stare in awe for a few minutes, mesmerized by the powerful waves crashing into the shore below us.
From the lighthouse it’s a few minutes’ drive to the trailhead of a dog-friendly path in the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands. Part of the California Coastal National Monument, this area features miles of hiking trails along coastal bluffs. We take The Pup out for a stroll, marveling at the rock arches and the blue of the water as we go.
Fort Bragg
After the hike our 48-hour Mendocino itinerary takes us back north as we make our way past Mendocino village to Fort Bragg. This city on the California coast is the county’s main commercial hub.
We start with lunch at a local restaurant called Dijon Seafood & Grill. It’s located upstairs in a historic building that houses the Sea Glass Museum. Sitting at a window table, we tuck into filling fish sandwiches with sides of fries. They hit the spot after a big morning of driving and hiking.
After lunch we walk across the street to try the famous mushroom ice cream at Cowlick’s. It’s come highly recommended, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s smooth and creamy (and not too mushroomy), and we’re glad to have tasted such a unique local dessert.
From there we drive a few blocks to the parking lot at Glass Beach. One of the highlights of Fort Bragg, this famous cove features a shoreline covered in sand punctuated by small pieces of smooth glass. It’s located next to MacKerricher State Park, and the sea glass is a remnant of the time when garbage was dumped here in the early to mid-1900s.
Today visitors come from all over to see the beach, look for glass, and take in the rugged coastline. We’re no exception. We walk down the short path from the parking lot and admire the glass shining amid the pebbles.
Pudding Creek Railbikes
From Glass Beach it’s a few blocks to get to the parking lot for the famous Skunk Train in Fort Bragg. But we’re not here to ride the rails in the traditional way. We’ve booked tickets for the Pudding Creek Railbikes. These unique contraptions are designed to allow visitors to cycle along the train tracks. There’s even a trailer for The Pup.
We meet our group at the departure point and board our bikes after a quick safety video. Soon we’re pedaling along the rails (without much effort thanks to the fact that they’re electric). It’s amazing to cycle beside the river and under the redwoods, not to mention learn about the history of Mendocino County’s logging industry from our guides as we go.
After 25 minutes we stop at a big pavilion in the woods. We go for a short hike with one of the guides, taking in the towering redwoods and hearing about the Skunk Train as we ascend the trail to see the views.
After the hike we get back on the bikes and make the return trip to Fort Bragg. We love the feel of the sun on our skin and the fact that we get to cross the city’s streets in an official railroad crossing complete with guard rails and bells. We can’t stop marveling at what a unique experience it is. If you want to follow in our footsteps (er rail tracks), you can book tickets here.
Van Damme Beach
After the 2-hour railbike experience, our 48-hour Mendocino itinerary continues with a drive to the beach at Van Damme State Park. Right near our cottage on Highway 1, this stretch of pebbles sits at the mouth of Little River. It’s a beautiful place to soak up the scenery.
It’s popular with kayakers, too. The protected cove allows for kayaks to explore the tide pools, and it’s a fun place to get out on the water. It’s a great spot for whale watching in the season as well.
We spend some time exploring the shoreline and walking The Pup. It’s impossible not to admire the larger-than-life rock arch in the ocean in front of us, too.
Dinner in Mendocino
From the beach it’s a quick trip back to the Cottages at Little River Cove. We freshen up for dinner, then drive over to Mendocino village for our meal.
We’ve booked a table at the MacCallum House, a historic Victorian home that’s been converted into a boutique hotel and restaurant. Set in lush gardens and featuring a terrace with views, it’s stunning to see.
The MacCallum House restaurant has been rated the best on the coast, and we’re excited to try it. The menu features local, seasonal cuisine and there’s everything from seafood to inventive rotating dishes on it.
We order a big meal of salads, prawns, roasted chicken, and wild salmon as we take in the views and enjoy local wines. We can’t help ordering the chocolate budino with salted caramel ice cream for dessert. Yum.
Day 3
The next morning we check out of the Cottages at Little River Cove and continue our 48-hour Mendocino itinerary with a quick breakfast at Garden Bakery in Mendocino. This hidden gem serves delicious scones and breakfast burritos, and the outdoor seating area is straight out of a fairy tale.
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse
After eating our fill, we hop in the car and drive the short distance to the parking lot at Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. The trail to the coast is less than a mile, and it’s a scenic lead-up to the main event.
When we reach the lighthouse, we admire the early 20th-century facade and pop into the visitor center at the base. It’s full of local history, including a shipwreck that was partly responsible for the establishment of the lumber industry in Mendocino County.
After learning about the area, we head outside for a little walk along the coast. The scenery here is as dramatic as it’s been everywhere else on our trip, and we spot fat seals sunning themselves on the rocks below the cliffs.
48-Hour Mendocino Itinerary
We return to the car and head north on Highway 1. We’re not going back to San Francisco, and we’re excited to continue our California road trip with 4 days in Lake Almanor.
For now, I hope you’ve enjoyed our 48-hour Mendocino itinerary. This is an amazing place to visit, and it’s worth the effort to take in the towns, beaches, trails, rails, and landscapes. If you get a chance to come here, I’m sure you’ll love this part of the Golden State as much as I do.
If you have more time to spend in the area, take a look at my blog post with an itinerary for spending a long weekend in Mendocino. It will help you plan a great trip. My other Mendocino itineraries can help inspire your future visits as well.
Mendocino Itinerary Map
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the places on this Mendocino itinerary. You can see it here. I hope it helps you plan your trip to the county.
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