Location: Mendocino
Top Things to do in Mendocino
Things to do in Mendocino, California (CA): The Best Museums
Shop, eat, and enjoy the feeling of going back in time to a simpler era as you groove to the vibes of downtown Mendocino’s hippy past and quaint New England style architecture. Find a secluded bluff, and listen to seals splashing and barking. Visit the Mendocino Art Center, started by San Francisco artists in the 1950s. Enjoy a Mendocino Theater Company performance. Stop in historic Ford House, which doubles as city museum and Mendocino Headlands State Park visitors center. Mendocino Headlands State Park winds around Mendocino Bay, and is a wildlife corridor linking coast and inland areas. Savor the spring wildflowers. In July the Headlands and city are home to the Mendocino Music Festival. Groove to the ocean views, blowholes, wave tunnels, sea arches, grottos, and tide pools as you hike the beaches and cliff trails. Along the Mendocino Headlands Trail, watch for old cross-ties from the oxen-powered railway that dumped lumber to ships below the bluff. Drive 2 miles north of Mendocino to Russian Gulch State Park for rock fishing, swimming, skin diving, tide pools, bicycling, a 36-foot high waterfall, and a Devil's Punch Bowl of churning water. Savor spring rhododendron blooms at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Take the family on the half-day Skunk Train roundtrip from Fort Bragg to inland Northspur. Bird watch at Cleone Lake, a tidal lagoon in MacKerricher State Park, 3 miles north of Fort Bragg. Enjoy MacKerricher’s wheelchair accessible nature trail, Ten Mile beach, fishing, hiking, jogging, horseback riding, and bicycling. Take the kids to Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park. Tee off at the 5,458-yard, 9-hole coastal golf course at Little River Inn, which also offers llama treks. Take the family to Little River State Park and Van Damme Beach State Park, which are near Little River Airport (KLLR). Kids love the recently renovated Point Arena Lighthouse, because they can climb to the top.
Restaurants in Mendocino
1. Highlight Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
Dedicated to hand-crafted wooden furniture.
Reviewed By 659neald - Lincoln, United States
Travelled to Mendo, our favorite place in California, and visited Highlights gallery again. It is a must stop on Main street with so many high quality wood art pieces, wire scuptures, paintings, pottery and much more. Everything well displayed.
2. Artists' Co-op Of Mendocino
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
"Welcome! The Artists' Co-op of Mendocino is located in the charming north coast village of Mendocino, California. We have been a destination for traditional and contemporary fine arts since 1988. We exhibit the work of 20 artist members which include Painters, Photographers, Ceramicists, Sculptors, Jewelers and wood artists. The Artists' Coop of Mendocino was established in June 1988 for the purp
3. Mendocino Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
4. Gallery One
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Gallery specializing in works by artist Sev Ickes, as well as other painters and sculptors.
5. Kelley House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By ConnieLongBeach
My husband and I took the town walking tour through the museum earlier this month and it was really great. Jane was our guide and you could tell she just loves this town. She knew her history and told is in an interesting and funny way...full of fun details and facts. I highly recommend the tour. Good to book ahead if possible.
6. Ford House Visitor Center & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
The mid-19th-century home of Jerome Bursley Ford, the founder of Mendocino, today serves as a visitors center on the region.
Reviewed By Wickie2 - Concord, United States
Great overview of the history of the Mendocino area. All very interesting, including miniature model of the town.
