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MENDOCINO,
A TOWN FOR
ALL
SEASONS
Dennen's
Victoria Farmhouse, Little River
Mendocino, a
quaint 19th century town
on Northern California’s dramatic coastline, is surrounded by parks,
farmland,
rolling hills, tall redwoods, inviting inns and the mesmerizing ocean.
If the
scenery looks somewhat familiar, then you were probably a fan of that
long-running television show “Murder, She Wrote,” watching Angela
Lansbury
track down her suspects.
Just
two hours drive from San Francisco, Mendocino is much more historic
than
playing stand-in for the fictional ‘Cabot Cove.’ To get a sense of its
beginnings, start at Ford House Museum where Mendocino began its rise
as a
lumber town in the 1850s. Move up the street to Kelley House Museum,
circa
1861…former home of a founding father who enjoyed the elaborate gardens
and
ponds that surround the house.
Guided history walks around town meet here on Saturdays at 1:00pm.
The
Temple of Kwan Tai on Albion Street fortifies the Chinese community’s
contributions to Mendocino’s growth. This 1852 Taoist temple is one of
the
oldest on the west coast. Four generations of its founders have
preserved and
maintained it, with the mission to teach and celebrate community and
diversity.
Charming
shops are clustered along and behind Main Street in little clapboard
houses,
modern glass front buildings and stately gingerbread Victorians. Scan
the
shelves of Gallery Bookshop for
local lore. Don a dashing Borsalino at De Ja
Vu, the Mendocino Hat Company. Pick up local jams and condiments
at the
quaint Mendocino Jams &
Preserves shop, and check out unusual jewelry at Mendocino
Sandpiper. Duck into Out of
This World, a treasure chest of fun things
for
young and old. Don’t miss Papa
Bear’s Chocolate Haus, where yummy
fudge,
penuche, chocolate covered raisins and all things sweet are made before
your
eyes…and they ship!
The Three
Rivers Studios
folder, found in most brochure racks around town,
has
complete details on ten area artists who welcome visitors to their
workshops. At
their open-air ‘workplace in the woods,’ Marion Miller and Cliff Glover
create
pottery and ceramics reflecting their interests in organic elements and
formal
Japanese tea objects. Cliff’s tea bowls are used in the tea ceremony
demonstrations at San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum. Watch
in fascination as Cynthia Myers sand blasts intricate designs on glass
at her
studio/showroom. Wearing a hood with a protective face shield…her hands
covered
in fireproof gloves and protruding through holes into her home-made
‘incubator’…Cynthia carefully squirts sand from a powerful torch,
etching
delicate flower shapes onto a glass bowl. Her tiny shop glows with
creative
items in pastel colors.
Summer
is full of outdoor activities: concerts, golf, horseback riding, bird
watching,
hiking the park trails and unique pygmy forest, canoeing and kayaking
are just
some of the offerings. When winter chill arrives, it’s time for the
Wine &
Mushroom Festival, the Annual Chinese Banquet, the best whale watching
along
the coast, a Wine & Crab Festival and the ever popular Christmas
Candlelight
Inn Tour
where several gaily decorated inns greet visitors with tours, home-made
treats
and holiday cheer.
Dennen’s Victorian
Farmhouse, on
Route 1 in Little
River (707) 937-0697, www.victorianfarmhouse.com.
History
literally oozes from its walls. Thomas Kincaid painted it as “Home is
Where the
Heart Is II.” Feather beds, spacious gardens, home-cooked breakfast in
your
room or suite, Jacuzzi tubs, and a wood-burning fireplace already set
for you.
Co-owner Jo Bradley knows the area inside out and graciously helps with
your
itinerary.
Stevenswood Spa Resort,
8211 N. Hwy. 1, Mendocino (800) 421-2810 (707)
937-2810, www.stevenswood.com. This
four-diamond
resort offers the ultimate pampered getaway. Contemporary décor
in a garden
setting, plasma TV viewed from living or bed room, European
coffeemakers, tea
service, fridge and all the comforts. At the sophisticated spa, tops in
the
area, treatments run the gamut from facials to hot stone to a grape
seed scalp
massage and a Pacific Sea Detox.
Ledford
House Restaurant,
3000 N. Hwy. 1,
Albion (707) 937-0282, www.ledfordhouse.com
Four-star food, ambience and view. Lisa Geer is the chef, while husband
Tony
runs the dining room. Lisa’s pictures, formed with scraps of vintage
clothing,
line the back walls. A full-width expanse of windows creates that
breathtaking
view, even for patrons at the sunken bar, a popular place at sunset.
Dinner
entrée range is $24-$32. Jazz nightly.
For
further information: Mendocino County Lodging Assoc., 866-466-3636, www.gomendo.com
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