This area north of San Francisco has beautiful, rugged coastal scenery. Several state parks along the coast are good places to appreciate the shoreline—among them, Russian Gulch, Mendocino Headlands, Caspar Headlands State Beach and Jug Handle State Reserve. Though it's not an area for swimming and the weather is often misty, the landscape is very appealing. Residents have limited the work of developers, leaving the coast in fairly pristine condition.
Farther inland, the ever-growing California Back Country Discovery Trail runs through the Mendocino National Forest. The 200-mi/330-km trail is open to hikers, horseback riders, bicyclists and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts. When completely finished, the trail will extend the length of the state.
A wine industry is also burgeoning in Mendocino County, and winery tours there are good alternatives to those in the more heavily trafficked Napa and Sonoma Valleys. One of the most popular in the area is Fetzer Vineyards, whose wines are sold nationwide. A smaller-scale experience is available at Navarro Vineyards, a boutique operation known for its pinot noirs.
The small town of Mendocino has art galleries, shops and several bed-and-breakfasts, notably Blair House, the home of Angela Lansbury in the TV series Murder She Wrote. Check out the exhibits at the Mendocino Art Center. You can also visit the Kelley House Historical Museum and Library, located in a house built in the mid-1800s. Mendocino County begins 130 mi/210 km north of San Francisco.
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Established in 1986 and held annually in July, the Mendocino Music Festival features a variety of musical styles, including big band, chamber, dance, blues, jazz, world and folk. Also on the agenda are lectures and piano recitals, a children's matinee and performances by young musicians. Phone 707-937-2044. http://www.mendocinomusic.com.
