Nestled along California’s rugged coastline, Mendocino County offers an enchanting escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
With its pristine beaches, towering redwoods, and charming small towns, this coastal county promises a memorable getaway for those seeking a blend of adventure and relaxation.
In this 48-hour itinerary, we’ll guide you through some of the must-see highlights of Mendocino County along with unique stays, popular restaurants and tours.
This post covers, Things to do in Mendocino County-2 Day Itinerary.
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Where is Mendocino County
Mendocino County is conveniently located within a few hours’ drive from the Bay Area. The distance varies depending on your starting point, but generally, it’s around 150 to 200 miles from San Francisco.
The most common route is to take Highway 101 North and then veer off to Highway 128 West, which leads you straight into the heart of Mendocino.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to enjoy a scenic coastal drive, Highway 1 offers breathtaking views, though it may take a bit longer to arrive to Mendocino.
Best Time to Visit Mendocino
The beauty of Mendocino County shines year-round, but the best time to visit is during the late spring to early fall months.
The weather is pleasant, with mild temperatures and fewer chances of rain. Fall is particularly charming as the foliage turns to warm hues, making it an ideal time for hiking and outdoor activities.
Visit Mendocino | 2 Day Itinerary
Day 1:
Morning: Sea Cave Kayaking near Van Damme Beach
Begin your Mendocino adventure with a morning kayaking excursion near Van Damme Beach. This pristine cove is surrounded by towering cliffs and sea caves providing a serene setting for your water adventure.
Kayaking experience is advised if exploring without a guide. Please make sure to check the weather and tide forecast beforehand. If you don’t feel like a certain cave is safe to explore trust your gut.
Guided Tours with Kayak Mendocino are available for kayak tours, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all skill levels.
How to find the caves at Van Damme Beach:
From Van Damme Beach head north towards the cliffs, you will began to see the caves once you paddle out about 10 minutes from the shore. Caves can also be found to the South of Van Damme Beach but the caves to the North felt safer in our experience.
Afternoon: Fort Bragg and The Best Seafood Feast
After your kayaking adventure, head to Fort Bragg for some delicious seafood. On your way to Fort Bragg stop by Mendocino Headlands and walk the beautiful trail along the bluff for scenic views of the coastline.
We highly recommened Princess Seafood Market or Princess Seafood Restaurant.
Evening: Moonlight Rail Biking to Glen Blair Bar
Embark on a truly unique experience by taking a moonlight rail biking journey to Glen Blair Bar. This captivating adventure allows you to pedal along an old rail track, surrounded by the beauty of redwood landscape and enjoying an evening at the unique and one of a kind, Glen Blair Bar.
Here, you can relax by a bonfire as you roast and assemble delicious s’mores, listen to live music and play some lawn game before returning back to Fort Bragg as the moonlight illuminates your path.
Day 2:
Morning: Breakfast with a View
Drive to Big River Estuary State Marine Conservation Area and if you have the means to make breakfast I absolutely recommend making breakfast and setting up right by the river to eat. The views are amazing with a truly peaceful environment.
If not I recommended ordering a coffee and pastry from Good Life Cafe & Bakery and then heading to Big River. Set up a blanket, relax in the sand and enjoy the beauty of Mendocino.
Afternoon: Mountain Biking near Big River Estuary State Marine Conservation Area
For the adrenaline junkies, an afternoon of mountain biking near the Big River awaits. This region offers a variety of trails suitable for different skill levels, from beginners to seasoned riders. Traverse through towering redwoods, cross wooden bridges over the river, and experience the thrill of downhill descents.
The lush scenery and fresh forest air make this an unforgettable biking adventure.
Below is the link to the trail we rode. It’s very beginner friendly.
Not into mountain biking no problem, after your relaxing morning at Big River make your way over to Van Damme State Park to hike the beautiful Fern Canyon Scenic Trail.
Evening: Sadly it’s time to go home
Unique Places to Stays in Mendocino
Mendocino Grove: Located just minutes away from Mendocino lies the highly rated Mendocino Grove, where you can enjoy modern camping or as we like to call it Glamping.
Heartwood Mendocino: Known for their cozy cabins and outdoor redwood tree shower, this unique stay is nestled within redwoods and meadows right in the heart of Mendocino.
Sea Rock Inn: This upscale ocean view lodge offers cute cottages overlooking the Pacific Ocean with free breakfast and wine with your stay.
Popular Restaurants in Mendocino
Mendocino Cafe:
This cozy cafe offers a delightful menu featuring locally sourced ingredients. From hearty breakfasts to delectable dinners, Mendocino Cafe caters to various tastes, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Trillium Cafe:
Known for its elegant ambiance and farm-to-table cuisine, Trillium Cafe is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The menu changes seasonally, ensuring that you savor the freshest flavors of the region.
Good Life Cafe & Bakery:
Offering fresh-baked goods, fair-trade coffee, juice & locally sourced organic light bites in a simple, easygoing space with outdoor seating. The cafe has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
Popular Tours in Mendocino
1. Wine Tasting Tours: Mendocino County is home to numerous vineyards and wineries. Join a wine tasting tour to sample some of the finest wines produced in this region.
2. Botanical Gardens Tour: The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens boast a diverse collection of plants, including exotic species. Guided tours provide insights into the unique flora and fauna of the area.
3. Lighthouse Tours: Explore the historic Point Arena Lighthouse and Museum. Climb to the top for breathtaking views.
Mendocino County offers an unforgettable getaway with its blend of coastal beauty, outdoor adventures, and culinary delights.
With its convenient proximity to the Bay Area, it’s the perfect destination for a quick escape. From kayaking along the rugged coastline, moonlight rail biking in the Redwood forest to mountain biking through lush forests, this 48-hour itinerary provides just a taste of the wonders that Mendocino County has to offer.
Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adrenaline-pumping activities, this coastal gem has something for everyone.
That wraps up this post, Things to do in Mendocino County-2 Day Itinerary.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE:
- Sonoma Zipline Adventures: An Unforgettable Escape into Nature
- Wildhaven Sonoma Glamping: A Unique Wine Country Getaway
- Camping in Gualala | One of Our Favorite Campsites in NorCal
Travel Resources
Here you can find all the travel site links that we personally use and recommend.
CAMPSITES/CAMPGROUNDS We like to use a couple apps for last minute campsite bookings. Our favorites are HipCamp, The Dyrt and Campendium.
ACCOMMODATION: We find the best deals with BOOKING.COM. The more you book the better the perks like free breakfast with your stay, room upgrades and even higher discounted room rates.
CAR RENTALS: We have always used RentalCars.com and find them to have the best deals, customer service and selection of locations.
FLIGHTS: Our go to for looking up flights is SKYSCANNER, but we try to always book directly with the airline.
TOURS/EXCURSIONS: GET YOUR GUIDE and VIATOR are two very reputable sites with easy and hassle free bookings.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It’s so important to travel with insurance and for this we use SafetyWing. We are currently using them for our 1 year trip.
TRANSPORTATION: For all our bus, ferry and train transfer needs in Asia we use 12go.asia.
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