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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.
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.
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
Where to Stay in Mendocino
Other California hotels
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If looking for Paso Robles accommodation you could stay on a vineyard at the luxury JUST Inn Bed and Breakfast, in the grounds of the JUSTIN winery.
The historic MacCallum House Inn and Restaurant is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Mendocino Village, which includes cottages and suites.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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The Viceroy Santa Monica hotel is one of Los Angeles' best, a favorite of celebrities like Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Demi Moore, and Leonardo DiCaprio,
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.
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.
The Oceana Santa Barbara beachfront hotel has a perfect seafront location, close to Stearns Wharf and State Street, and whale watching cruises.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.
The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel is Ventura 's only beachside hotel with ocean front swimming pool and rooms with ocean views.
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