Mendocino

Mendocino in Mendocino County is a small but pretty California coastal town, popular with artists and with travelers. It has featured in many songs and movies, and the TV series Murder She Wrote.

View of Mendocino in CaliforniaMendocino

It's also popular with songwriters. It inspired the title track of the 1969 Sir Douglas Quintet album, Mendocino, and the Kate and Anna McGarrigle song, Talk to Me of Mendocino, which was later beautifully covered by Linda Ronstadt. Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack also wrote Mendocino County Line.

The town also gets a name-check in the Gordon Lightfoot song Cabaret, and in The Trip to Pirate's Cove by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It's referenced in several other songs too, so you could even put together a Mendocino playlist if you were planning to visit on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip.

If you do visit, you'll see why the town has inspired artists and songwriters over the years, in a way that's remarkable for a place where only about 1,000 people live.

The Sea Cliffs Around MendocinoThe Sea Cliffs Around Mendocino

Murder, She Wrote

The town has also appeared in many movies, such as Forever Young, Karate Kid III, The Russians Are Coming, and Summer of '42. It was most notable, however, as the setting for several episodes of the TV series Murder, She Wrote, even though the real setting was supposed to be on the east coast. It also appeared in many other episodes of the show, which were filmed in the area.

The Bridge Leading into MendocinoThe Bridge Taking the Pacific Coast Highway into Mendocino

Getting to Mendocino

Mendocino is about 150 miles north of San Francisco. If you drive the inland route on Highway 101, it ought to take you about 3 hours in light traffic, but you should allow 4-5 hours as the traffic is seldom light.

A far prettier option is to go west after the Golden Gate Bridge and take Highway 1 along the coast. This only adds about twenty miles to the journey but it will take you longer as you will want to keep stopping as you pass by the Point Reyes National Seashore and through tempting towns like Bodega Bay. This would be our choice but it will then take you all day to get there.

The Stanford Inn in MendocinoThe Stanford Inn in Mendocino

Where to Stay in Mendocino

We stayed at the wonderful Stanford Inn, just the other side of the river from Mendocino, but if you want to be in the heart of the town, search here. There are some lovely old houses that have been converted into boutique B&Bs and chic hotels, such as MacCallum House.

You can expect to pay a little more for your accommodation here as the place is very popular with people from San Francisco, and accommodation is limited. Book early.

What to Do in Mendocino

There are few attractions as such in Mendocino, the main attraction is simply being there. It's a place to wander round and check out all the cute shops and art galleries, and the quirky houses.

You can walk along the clifftops and take in the impressive views and breathe in that refreshing clean sea air.  The headlands are also popular for whale-watching as they give such excellent views over broad patches of ocean. The cliff paths take you through Mendocino Headlands State Park. 

A Well-Decorated House in MendocinoA Well-Decorated House in Mendocino

Ford House

The park headquarters are at Ford House, a historic house on Mendocino's Main Street that was built in 1854. It's also a local museum, one of the most interesting exhibits being a model of the town in 1890. The town was founded in 1850 as a logging port, and prior to that there was a settlement of the indigenous Pomo people nearby.

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse in MendocinoPoint Cabrillo Lighthouse in Mendocino

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse

About 4 miles north of town on Highway 1 is the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, in the Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park. The lighthouse opened in 1909, as there had been a number of shipwrecks off this coast.

It's open daily from 11am-4pm, and the grounds around are open from sunrise to sunset. You can even spend the night there and help support the lighthouse by renting the Head Lightkeeper's House, the Second Assistant Lightkeeper's House, or one of the two cottages in the grounds. See here for more details.

Naming Mendocino

One interesting thing historically is that the town was originally named after Henry Meiggs, who ran the lumber company. Somehow it's hard to see that name inspiring songs like Talk to Me of Meiggsville. It was later changed to the more melodious Mendocino after Cape Mendocino. This in turn gets its name from Antonio de Mendoza, a Spanish politician.

The Main Street in MendocinoThe Main Street in Mendocino

Other California Coast pages

  • Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

    Crescent City

    Crescent City is on the Pacific Coast Highway in northern California and noted for its crescent-shaped beach, Ocean World sea park, and nearby redwoods and state parks.

  • San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    San Simeon

    San Simeon is a tiny town of a few hundred people close to Hearst Castle on the California coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

  • Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

    Santa Monica Pier

    Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

  • Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

    Pismo Beach

    Pismo Beach is a small beach town on California's Central Coast, a resort famous for surfing and clams.

  • Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

    Morro Bay

    Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

  • The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

    The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

    Carlsbad

    Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

  • Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

    Whale Watching in California

    Whale watching in California is one of the most popular things to do along the Pacific Coast Highway, in places like San Diego, San Francisco and many more.

  • Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

    Bixby Bridge

    Drive the Pacific Coast Highway and you have to cross Bixby Bridge in California, ten miles north of Big Sur and 30 minutes south of Monterey.

  • San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

    San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo in California is half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway and with lots of things to do and see.

  • There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

    Santa Cruz Downtown Wine Tastings

    There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

  • One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

    California Coast Guide

    One of the best California coast guides is the California Coastal Access Guide, describing the coast’s beaches, National Parks, State Parks, with many maps.

  • La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

    La Jolla, in southern California

    La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

  • Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

    Santa Cruz

    Santa Cruz on the Pacific Coast Highway in California has its famous boardwalk, beaches, wine tastings, Surfing Museum, Mission, and Marine Discovery Center.

  • Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

    Encinitas

    Encinitas is a beach city in Southern California, famous for surfing, and regularly chosen as one of the best places to live in both California and the USA.

  • Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

  • The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

  • The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.

    Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on the Central Coast of California

    The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.

  • Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

  • The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

    Laguna Beach

    The Pacific Coast Highway goes right through Laguna Beach, a relaxed artsy beach resort whose attractions include shopping, galleries, dining, and beaches.

  • Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

  • Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

    Newport Beach

    Newport Beach is a small city on the Pacific coast of southern California, right on the Pacific Coast Highway and noted for its beaches and surfing.

  • This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

    Visiting Hearst Castle

    This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

  • For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

    Moss Beach Hotel

    For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

  • Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

    Vagabond's House Inn

    Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. 10 Motorcycle Routes That Belong on Every Rider's Bucket List

    Oct 06, 22 03:19 AM

    The open road is a motorcyclist's dream, a pursuit of ideals, and a motivation to manifest destiny. The debate for the perfect ride has gone on for decades, bringing riders to new locations to test th…

    Read More

  2. The 40 Top Restaurants Along The Pacific Coast Highway Read More: https://www.tastingtable.com/1039726/the-top-restaurants-along-the-pacific-coast-highway/?utm_campaign=clip

    Oct 06, 22 03:19 AM

    No road trip would be complete (or half as fun) without stopping along the way for tasty snacks and decadent feasts. Luckily, scores of hungry travelers have paved the way and created a market for res…

    Read More

  3. Only a 5-hour drive from Camarillo, Big Sur is in must-see category

    Oct 01, 22 05:46 AM

    Big Sur. So, Is it a Big Deal?

    Read More