4 Reasons to Buy a Second Home in Mendocino, California

You never can go wrong with a sophisticated wine weekend in Napa Valley. But if you’re looking to walk a bit on the wild side (or simply looking to accommodate a more affordable budget!), Mendocino is the way to go. About a three hour drive north of San Francisco, Mendocino stretches from the dramatic coastal cliffs to golden hills of vineyards and redwood forests. Compared to Napa’s glitz, it’s a more quiet and peaceful place to enjoy California’s wine country.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider buying a second home in Mendocino, California:

1. The Wine

Of course, first up has to be the wine. Because of its location, the rocky coast of Mendocino is privy to cool, misty mornings followed by sunny days– the perfect environmental recipe for winemaking. Anderson Valley is renowned for delicate, cool-climate reds, like Pinot Noir. Chardonnay, Zinfandel and sparkling wine should also make the tasting list.

2. Rugged nature

Mendocino is a bit off the beaten path compared to Napa and Sonoma – it’s farther north, less commercialized, and naturally more rugged. The rocky coastline, lined with many cliffside trails, is stunning against the azure Pacific Ocean. As if that wasn’t enough, forests of majestic, giant redwoods are a trademark of the area. Don’t miss kayaking through the area’s many sea caves or hiking through Jackson State Forest.

3. Farm-to-Table Dining

Mendocino is home to lots of farms and agriculture other than wine-growing– a cornucopia of local produce and flavors. As a result, farm-to-table dining is prevalent here. Plus, the seaside location obviously means amazing seafood as well. Freshly-shucked oysters with that chilled chardonnay? Many restaurants feature local, seasonal menus that (no surprise) result in food bursting with flavor. On the drive up to Mendocino from San Francisco, stop at Harbor House Inn for a Michelin-level fine dining experience. Patterson’s Pub holds down the other end of the spectrum with delicious casual fare, like fish and chips. Trillium is an elegant farm-to-fork experience that lies somewhere in the middle.

4. Giant Redwood Trees

We already mentioned the rugged natural setting, but the redwoods definitely need their own highlight. Redwoods are one of California’s iconic trees for good reason – with that rouge hue and enormous stature standing tall between 250 to 300 feet on average. When biking, hiking, or wandering through redwood groves, it’s nearly impossible to resist the sense of peace.