Best Time to Visit Mendocino

Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

Nestled along the rugged coastline of Northern California, Mendocino is a charming seaside village known for its Victorian architecture, breathtaking views, and vibrant arts scene.

The Mendocino climate is a mild Mediterranean type, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. But when is the best time to visit Mendocino? Let's take a month-by-month look at what you can expect.

Mendocino

Best Time to Visit Mendocino Month-by-Month

January is the coldest month in Mendocino, with average temperatures ranging from 40°F (4°C) to 55°F (13°C). Rainfall averages around 6.8 inches (173 mm), so pack your raincoat. Despite the weather, hotel prices are relatively low, making it a good time for budget travelers.

February sees similar weather to January, with temperatures between 41°F (5°C) and 57°F (14°C), and rainfall averaging 6.3 inches (160 mm).

Hotel prices remain low, and the annual Whale Festival kicks off in late February, offering whale watching tours, chowder, and wine tasting events. You didn’t know whales liked a drop of wine, did you?

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March brings slightly warmer temperatures, ranging from 42°F (6°C) to 59°F (15°C), and rainfall decreases to an average of 4.6 inches (117 mm). The Whale Festival continues, and hotel prices begin to rise slightly.

April sees a significant decrease in rainfall, averaging 2.3 inches (58 mm), and temperatures rise to between 44°F (7°C) and 63°F (17°C). Hotel prices also continue to rise.

May brings warmer weather, with temperatures ranging from 47°F (8°C) to 66°F (19°C), and rainfall drops to just 1.2 inches (30 mm).

The Mendocino Film Festival takes place in late May/early June, attracting film buffs from around the world. Hotel prices start to peak due to the continuing influx of tourists.

June is the start of the dry season, with average temperatures between 50°F (10°C) and 70°F (21°C), and minimal rainfall, and hotel prices remain high.

July is the warmest month, with temperatures ranging from 52°F (11°C) to 72°F (22°C), and virtually no rainfall. The Mendocino Art Center hosts the Summer Arts and Crafts Fair, and the Mendocino Music Festival also takes place in July, when hotel prices are at their highest.

August continues the warm, dry trend, with temperatures between 52°F (11°C) and 71°F (22°C), and hotel prices begin to decrease slightly. The Mendocino Coast Writers Conference usually takes place this month.

September sees temperatures between 51°F (11°C) and 70°F (21°C), and rainfall begins to increase slightly to 0.6 inches (15 mm). The Mendocino Open Paint Out event attracts artists from all over. Hotel prices continue to fall.

October brings cooler temperatures, ranging from 47°F (8°C) to 65°F (18°C), and rainfall increases to 2.4 inches (61 mm). Hotel prices are moderate.

November sees a significant increase in rainfall, averaging 5.6 inches (142 mm), and temperatures fall to between 43°F (6°C) to 59°F (15°C). The Feast Mendocino food and drink festival takes place, and hotel prices drop.

December is the wettest month, with rainfall averaging 7.9 inches (200 mm), and temperatures range from 40°F (4°C) to 55°F (13°C). The Mendocino Holiday Lights and Festival is a festive event at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, and hotel prices are low.

A House in Mendocino

Best Time to Visit Mendocino Summary

So, when is the best time to visit Mendocino? It depends on what you're looking for. If you're a budget traveler who doesn't mind a bit of rain, the winter months offer the lowest hotel prices.

If you're looking for the warmest Mendocino weather, July and August are your best bet. These months also offer a range of arts and crafts events. However, this is also when hotel prices are at their highest.

The spring and fall months offer a good balance of pleasant weather and moderate hotel prices, along with a range of cultural events.

The winter months are the wettest, but also offer the lowest hotel prices and the chance to see the spectacular winter storms that Mendocino is known for.

In conclusion, the best time to visit Mendocino really depends on your personal preferences and what you want to get out of your visit.

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