Get Some Fun PCH Gifts Here

Stanford Inn by the Sea

The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino

All Photos (c) Donna Dailey

When we arrived at the Stanford Inn by the Sea near Mendocino, we'd no idea what a very special place we'd be staying at.

A few days earlier someone had been telling us some of the things we absolutely had to do when driving further north, one of which was dining at Ravens' Restaurant in Mendocino. She said it had some of the finest food she'd ever tasted. We wrote the name down, now knowing then that Ravens' is the restaurant for the Stanford Inn. So at least we knew the food ought to be good.

Guest bedroom at The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino, California

Our Room

Rooms at the Stanford Inn

The Stanford Inn style is rustic comfort. Rooms have wood-panel walls, real wood-burning fireplaces, eco-friendly toiletries, organic coffee-making facilities, and they all have their own decks. Many have views out to the Pacific Ocean, across the Inn's herb and vegetable gardens.

But rustic doesn't mean basic. Rooms also have wireless internet, HDTVs with DVDs and VCRs, fridges, microwaves, and stereo systems, and ours had one of the biggest and most comfortable beds you could wish for. Room rates also include the exceptional breakfast at Ravens' Restaurant.

Our Room

Mendocino Eco-Resort

The Stanford Inn describes itself as an eco-resort, which is a claim that everybody under the sun makes these days. Any hotel that asks you to re-use your towels claims it's being eco-friendly. But in the case of the Stanford Inn it is built into the very fabric of the place, and is simply a part of the way of life of the owners, Jeff and Joan Stanford.

We were lucky enough to talk to Jeff, who introduced himself to us in Ravens', and we had a fascinating time talking to him after dinner about his beliefs and his life. He's a passionate man whose passions are reflected in the way everything is done at the Stanford Inn.

Our Bedroom at The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino

Canoes and Bicycle Hire in Mendocino

Within the grounds of the Stanford Inn is the only privately-owned stretch of the Big River estuary, now known as the Big River State Park. Here you can hire kayaks and redwood outrigger canoes to explore this protected part of the beautiful coast. Bikes are available for hire too, with the Big River Trail just one of the cycling options.

The View from a guest Bedroom at The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino

View From Our Room
The Herb and Vegetable Gardens

Other Amenities at the Stanford Inn by the Sea

Yoga classes are available for guests, and there's a range of massage, facials and other treatments that can be booked. Ayurveda Treatments and Acupuncture are also part of the services available, with a hidden-away Massage in the Forest centre in the Inn's grounds. There's also a hot tub and a delightful indoor swimming pool.

Contact Details

The Stanford Inn by the Sea
Coast Highway and Comptche Ukiah Road
Post Office Box 487
Mendocino
California (CA) 95460
Toll Free: 800-331-8884
Phone: 707-937-5615

Other California hotels

Santa Monica Luxury Hotels
There are many Santa Monica luxury hotels and while Le Meridien Delfina is not right by the beach it has a great bar, pool, restaurant.
Napa Wine Country Inn
The Napa Wine Country Inn and Gardens in St Helena overlooks a vineyard and has free wine tastings every evening and offers guests help with booking wine tours.
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.
Laguna Beach Inn and Spa
The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.
Monterey Boutique Hotel, the Hotel Pacific near Fisherman's Wharf
The Hotel Pacific is a Monterey boutique hotel in a good location close to Fisherman’s wharf and downtown restaurants and bars and with its own parking garage.
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.
Monterey Inn
For a Monterey Inn just off the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the Mariposa Inn and Suites is hard to beat, providing good accommodation close to PCH.
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.
Napa Bed and Breakfast
The Napa Bed and Breakfast, 1801 First, is an award-winning romantic b&b near the center of Napa, with good food, and spa treatments available.
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel is Ventura 's only beachside hotel with ocean front swimming pool and rooms with ocean views.
Eureka Inns
Of all Eureka inns, The Carter House Inns are the most romantic and historic, with one of the best restaurants in Northern California.
La Jolla Luxury Hotel
The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.
Viceroy Santa Monica
The Viceroy Santa Monica hotel is one of Los Angeles' best, a favorite of celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Demi Moore, and Leonardo DiCaprio,
Madonna Inn, California
The Madonna Inn is a historic landmark resort hotel in San Luis Obispo, California, with 109 uniquely decorated rooms, steak house, and fitness centre.
Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
The Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa is north of San Francisco and near the Point Reyes National Seashore, a beautiful California coast hotel with Pacific Ocean views.
Where to Stay in Carmel
Where to Stay in Carmel include reviews of the Mission Ranch, Sea View Inn, The Cypress Inn, Lamp Lighter Inn and Vagabond's House Inn.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's website recommendations on Where to Stay in San Diego include reviews of budget and luxury hotels in downtown San Diego.
California Coast Hotels and Inns
The California Coast's hotels, inns, guesthouses, b&bs and other places to stay include 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, motel chains, RV parks and camping.
Dana Point Hotel
For a Dana Point hotel next to the beach and near the harbor for whale watching cruises, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton with its ocean views is hard to beat.
Good Cheap Motels in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends good cheap motels in San Diego including Super-8, Motel 6, Travelodge and Days Inn.
Franciscan Inn Santa Barbara
The historic Franciscan Inn in Santa Barbara, California, near the Pacific Coast Highway, is in a quiet location near the beach ideal for those driving PCH.
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.
Cambria Accommodation, The Olallieberry Inn
For Cambria accommodation on California Central Coast, not far from Hearst Castle, check out the Olallieberry Inn with private bathrooms and great breakfasts.
Cambria Lodging at the Cambria Pines Lodge
If you’re looking for a Cambria Lodging then the Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria is a few miles from San Simeon and Hearst Castle.
MacCallum House Inn
The historic MacCallum House Inn and Restaurant is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Mendocino Village, which includes cottages and suites.