Mendocino with Kids

Days 2-4: Mendocino with Kids or 
                              "A Quaint Little Foggy Town on the Bluffs"

Mendocino is a idyllic small town on California’s Northern Coast.  Just 166 miles north of San Francisco, it is composed of a cluster of New England-style captains' homes and stores on headlands overlooking the ocean.  Stay right in town and you can walk literally everywhere.  Walk to lunch at a variety of restaurants serving organic, local fare and then stroll over to hidden trails that cut through the blackberry and coastal bramble and lead to the beach.  Early morning fog and small town charm make this a magical destination.  We spent three lovely days here, and it felt like a true getaway. 

Things I loved about Mendocino:
1. The drive in. The windy CA-128W traces its way through small towns for 55 miles before opening up to stunning views of the coast.  We stopped in several of the small towns (that are really just a collection of stores and restaurants along the road) and explored with the kids.  The drive itself was an adventure.

2. The foggy mornings. Mendocino is covered in a romantic fog much of the time, giving the town a magical feeling.

3. The short hike/walk from town to the cliffs. Across the street from the Mendocino Hotel, there are several short trails to the bluffs overlooking the ocean. My daughter led the way through the wild flowers and bramble to the stunning Mendocino cliffs over looking the coast.

4. The wild berries. My husband was constantly side tracked by the abundance of wild black berries. He feasted on them every chance he got.

5. The beach at low tide. Just behind the Presbyterian Church on Main Street is a short trail leading down to the beach. The steep but solid stairs lead down to a lovely white sand beach, rock cliffs, and the mouth of Big River. Warm tide pools form all over the soft sandy beach during low tide. It is great fun for the kids.

Best kid friendly meal:
Frankie's Pizza and Ice cream - This delightful restaurant had live music the night we arrived, and the upstairs relaxed seating boasted a small kids play area with a kitchen. My daughter quickly made some friends, and we all had a great dinner. The organic pizza, locally made bear and ice cream were delicious as well!

What we missed (but wish we hadn't):
Stopping at the local wineries and farms on the drive in would have been such fun. We've taken kids to vineyards before and they always seem to love exploring while we do very quick and light tasting. Plus there are some great family farms on the 128 as well.  Unfortunately we left for Mendocino too late in the day to be able to make any detours, but if we could do the drive again, we would be sure to stop at the Gowan's Oak Tree apple orchid and the Navarro Vineyards. 

Next stop on The Two Week Lost Coast Trip: Glass Beach or "A Kids Treasure Hunting Dream"

Have you been to Mendocino with kids?  What other suggestions could you give to travelers visiting Mendocino with their kids?