Today I want to bring you my itinerary for a 2-day Mendocino road trip on the Pacific Coast Highway in Northern California. This underrated part of the Golden State is perfect if you want to see the best of the West Coast without the crowds. I’m here now and I can’t wait to show you the highlights of Mendocino County. I’ve included a map, too.
Mendocino Road Trip
The Northern California coast is awe-inspiring. I’ve been taking road trips here all my life and I still can’t get over how breathtaking the beaches and boulders are.
Today I’m especially excited because I’m driving from San Francisco to Mendocino via Highway 1, one of the most beautiful coastal roads in my home state. I’m here with a friend, and we can’t wait to see what the area has in store for us.
Located north of the famous vineyards of Napa and Sonoma, laid-back Mendocino County is one of California’s best-kept secrets. Home to stunning coastline, award-winning Anderson Valley wineries, ancient redwood forests, and some of the most unique places to stay in California, it’s worth a special trip.
Where to Stay in Mendocino
After the drive from San Francisco to Mendocino, we check into our room at The Andiron Seaside Inn & Cabins. Located just south of the historic village of Mendocino, this retro-chic hideout features 1950s cabins spread across 5 acres of meadow and woodland on the iconic Pacific Coast Highway.
Each cabin at The Andiron is individually decorated and completely one-of-a-kind. The interior decor features vintage, rehabbed, salvaged, and recycled materials. Think ’50s fabrics, old-school games and puzzles, and Viewmasters, and you’ll get the idea. They’re pet-friendly, too.
The Andiron’s cabins aren’t purely vintage, though. They feature comfortable beds, modern amenities, and decks with views. Some of them have kitchenettes and wood-burning stoves as well. Outside the cabins guests can soak in the hot tub and take advantage of weekend happy hours.
As soon as we arrive, I fall in love with the rustic atmosphere, unique cabins, and peaceful natural surroundings. If this place gets your inner vintage lover as excited for all things throwback as it does mine, you can book a room here.
Day 1
After getting settled into our cabin at The Andiron, we start our Mendocino road trip with a short drive. While Mendocino County is best known for its dramatic coastline, there’s a lot more here than just the Pacific Ocean.
Mendocino Village
The historic village of Mendocino, for example. One of the most picturesque coastal towns in California, Mendocino’s simple grid of streets is lined with old wooden houses and pretty restaurants and shops.
The village is known for everything from historic architecture to art galleries and the bluffs and islands around Mendocino Headlands State Park. The 347-acre park is home to trails, secluded beaches, and classic coastal scenery.
We spend time exploring the village on the first day of our Mendocino road trip. Narrow trails lead out to cliff walks and down to sandy coves, and wherever my friend and I go we’re never far from a stunning panorama.
The highlight of our time here is dinner in the garden at Trillium Cafe & Inn. This beloved fine dining restaurant focuses on dishes using local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. Served in a relaxed setting, it’s a great place to eat.
Sitting at a table on the terrace, my friend and I enjoy a delicious seafood dinner with Pacific Ocean views. It’s the perfect way to end the first day of our Mendocino road trip.
Day 2
But Mendocino isn’t just about the coast. The county covers a lot of inland territory, too. And in this part of California, that means one thing: Pinot Noir.
Wine Tasting in Anderson Valley
The Anderson Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a short drive from the Mendocino coast, and it has enough vineyards to fill several days of wine tasting in Northern California. But we only have one day to visit on our Mendocino road trip, so we have to be selective.
Leaving The Andiron in the morning, we start our day of wine tasting at Goldeneye Winery, one of the best in the area. Founded in 1996, Goldeneye is dedicated to the production of world-class Pinot Noir from the heart of Anderson Valley. The wines reflect the unique marine influence and character of this part of the California coast.
We enjoy a tasting in the garden, which is set against a spectacular backdrop of rolling hills, redwood forests, and lush vineyards. The Pinot Noirs are as enjoyable as the surroundings, and we leave with several bottles of wine and lots of love for the land.
From Goldeneye we continue our Mendocino road trip with a drive north to Handley Cellars, a small, family-owned winery at the northwest end of Anderson Valley. Set on a former farm six miles from Philo, the winery features a refurbished ranch house and an early 20th-century barn and water tower that add character to the landscape.
We sit down in the garden courtyard for a wine tasting, and the organic wines show us a different side of the valley’s winery culture from those at Goldeneye. They’re elegant and fruit-driven, and they go down a treat in the sunny surroundings.
We round off our day of wine tasting in the Anderson Valley with a trip to Lula Cellars, a boutique winery conveniently located right next to Handley Cellars. Located in the revered “Deep End” of the AVA, this place is known for its handcrafted Pinot Noir wines from Mendocino County vineyards.
The intimate tasting room is set in front of a big lake, and we settle in for a sampling with a welcoming host. The winery has a fun, casual atmosphere, and we appreciate the friendliness of it as much as we appreciate the quality of the wines.
Navarro River Redwoods State Park
After the wine tasting, our Mendocino road trip continues with a drive back to the Northern California coast. A redwood forest separates Anderson Valley from the Pacific Ocean, and our visit wouldn’t be complete without a stint under the giants.
Navarro River Redwoods State Park is a forest that runs along the Navarro River in Mendocino County. It features 660 acres of second-growth redwood forest on either side of Highway 128. Essentially it’s an 11-mile redwood tunnel to the ocean.
We’re driving a convertible, and I stare up into the trees while my friend sits at the wheel. The way the light filters through the branches is beautiful, and it makes me appreciate my home state even more.
Mendocino County Beaches
Back on the coast, we spend the rest of our Mendocino road trip stopping off at as many beaches and vista points as we can.
From the southernmost part of Mendocino County to the border with Humboldt County, there’s an endless string of postcard-worthy views that draw visitors north.
From secluded coves to rock arches, lighthouses to harbor seals, the scenery awes me every bit as much as it did on my first visit. Landmarks like the Point Arena Lighthouse, Glass Beach, and the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse give way to attractions like the Skunk Train in Fort Bragg as we drive along the coast and take in the highlights.
Mendocino Road Trip
When our time runs out, we point the car south to San Francisco and drive down Highway 1 to the city. It’s been an amazing trip, and we’re glad we got to see more of this peaceful part of the California coast.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my Mendocino road trip itinerary. This county is a memorable place to visit, and it’s worth the effort to take in the towns, wineries, beaches, and landscapes. If you get a chance to go, I’m sure you’ll love this part of my home state as much as I do.
Mendocino Road Trip Map
As promised, I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the places on my Mendocino coast road trip itinerary. You can see it here. I hope it helps you plan your trip. Happy travels!
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