Mendocino Wedding and Elopement Guide
Mendocino with its towering redwoods, cliffs, and ocean-side meadows is the perfect place to plan an elopement. With one of the most remote redwood state parks in California and the meadows of my dreams, it’s one of my favorite places to document love stories. From the most beautiful airbnb’s to Michelin-starred hotels Mendocino has it all. It’s pretty rare to find small towns like this with a focus on sustainable, gourmet food but Mendocino really caters to the foodies. If you are envisioning a first look on the beach, a ceremony in the redwoods, and a reception picnic in the meadows Mendocino is the right choice.
Table of Contents:
Where to Stay
Airbnbs:
The Garden at Roads End: An awesome Airbnb in Fort Bragg with John as your Host. This Airbnb has everything you need and more, it is very private surrounded by the most amazing gardens with fountains, a hammock, and so many places to enjoy peace and quiet.
Coastal Forest Cabin: Keep it simple at this peaceful and centrally-located place that is minutes from downtown and the most beautiful hiking trails in Mendocino begin on the property! This coastal forest cabin is the only property with access to the little-known south headlands beach trail of Russian Gulch State Park.
Caspar Cottage: Caspar Cottage. is a charming quiet nicely appointed cottage that we built on our 5 private acres 3 miles from the ocean and 10 minutes from Mendocino or Fort Bragg. Walk to the waterfall in the Russian Gulch State Park from the cottage. We are at the eastern edge of the park.
Forest Camping Hut: Forest Camping Hut is 5 miles from the town of Elk and a nice coastal drive to historic Mendocino. Super private forest camping hut. Rustic yet designed with comfort in mind. Nestled among the Redwoods a few miles from the Pacific Ocean.
Hotels and Inns:
Harbor House Inn: This beautiful Inn is located in Elk California, a short drive from Mendocino located right on the coast. This historical Inn was built in early 1900 to showcase the beautiful redwood sold by the Elk Redwood Company. The Harbor House changed ownership several times since 1973, the present owners purchased the property in 2005 and closed down for a total remodel in 2013 and reopened in 2018. it is a beautiful property. My favorite rooms are inside the main hotel, these rooms are bright & cozy, and some have balcony’s overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Headlands Inn Bed & Breakfast: Headlands Inn is situated in downtown Mendocino, a quick walk to shops, galleries, restaurants, and the beautiful Pacific ocean. Whether you are looking for a quick escape or a romantic getaway we are the perfect bed and breakfast in Mendocino. With its English gardens and cozy fireplaces with some of the rooms that overlook the ocean, it’s worth a look.
Places to Elope
Spring Ranch Nature Preserve: Spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean as well as trails that wind past historic barns and above a rocky intertidal shelf. There is good wildlife viewing here, especially at low tide, when the seals haul out onto offshore rocks. Large grassy area to have your Ceremony overlooking the Pacific. When we were here they were setting up a wedding with an awesome rustic wooden arch and wooden benches for the guests with the ocean as the backdrop!
Navarro Point Preserve and Scenic Trail: Beautiful coastal views and the cliffside is awesome with its stunning wildflowers and dramatic bluffs. Located right off Shoreline Highway.
Point Cabrillo Light Station: This 1930’s light station is still an active light station along the coast of Mendocino. The grounds are beautiful and there are four, two larger and two smaller guest houses that you can stay in right on the coast behind the light station, they are decorated with time-period furnishing.
Wedding Venues
Cuffey’s Cove Ranch: Coastal Ranch and Wedding Venue, with over two miles of California Coastline with meadows and forests, a rustic barn for weddings receptions, and the refurbished Kenney House which is the original home on the property for accommodations for the bride and groom and big enough for family or friends if you choose. The venue is gorgeous.
Switzer Farm of Westport: Switzer Farm is the most majestic and secluded wedding destination on California’s North Coast. Located 20 minutes north of Fort Bragg, near the historic village of Westport, the restored 1884 Victorian farmhouse sits atop 22 private oceanfront acres directly above the wild Pacific
Spring Ranch: A grand Victorian mansion boasts a wrap-around porch, stone fireplace, and formal dining room. You can hold your wedding at several sites at Spring Ranch including peaceful meadows, towering eucalyptus, and cypress groves, or a beautiful event barn, and headlands bluffs overlooking the stunning Pacific Ocean.
Let’s Eat
Fort Bragg
Mayan Fusion: Local cuisine, Mexican, Latin, Seafood, Spanish, and Central American made with California’s fresh produce, meats, and seafood featuring a fusion of spices, flavors, and techniques from Chef Silver's rich culinary heritage and influence. Super cozy dining room. I went with my husband and loved the fish tacos and steak kabobs! Really packed on weekends, make a reservation.
Noyo Fish Company: Super authentic and local fried seafood options. Outdoor seating is right on the water/docks. Order inside from the counter then they bring food out to you. Very friendly and super casual.
North Coast Brewing: My husband dragged me here, unwilling. We didn’t get a chance to try any of the food, only the beer which was great! My husband still regrets not getting to try the shrimp Po’Boy sandwich.
Mendocino
Good Life Bakery and Cafe: Organic Salads, Soups, Entrees, Desserts, Snacks, daily specials, and tons of Gluten Free options. Organic pastries baked fresh every morning, authentic New York-style bagels made from scratch, and locally roasted fair trade organic coffee and espresso drinks. This place is the bomb! I go every time I’m in town for breakfast and buy a bag of coffee to brew at home. The inside is cute and has a water refill station. Open 8 am to 3 pm daily.
Trillium Cafe: Great food, the menu here is relatively contemporary for Mendocino, with a nod towards classic California farmhouse cuisine. You can sit indoors or outside under a large covered patio surrounded by their beautiful gardens with a peek of the ocean. All of their sandwiches are all good, my favorite Point Reyes blue cheese salad is incredible. Great Aperol spritz’s.
Patterson’s Pub: Traditional Irish pub located in the historic coastal town of Mendocino. One of my favorite Mendocino spots. Good food, and lots of beer on tap. Indoor and outdoor heated seating.
Weather
Weather Highlights
Summer High: the July high is around 78 degrees
Winter Low: the January low is 39
Rain: averages 41 inches of rain a year
Snow: averages 0 inches of snow a year
Things to do
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve: One of California’s most remote parks in California, the redwood’s in Montgomery are amazing! it’s a short hike uphill and then downhill to a beautiful space with a loop trail with giant redwoods and a small creek running through it, it is an awesome place to go on a beautiful hike.
Shop in downtown Mendocino: The small historical town of Mendocino has so many quaint shops and cool and quirky buildings to check out while you are in Mendocino, along with a lot of great restaurants (see restaurants above) totally worth checking out!
Take a walk or go hiking: The coastline of Mendocino is beautiful so much to explore, and there are so many state parks along the coastline just drive along Shoreline Highway and you cannot miss the parks along the highway. My favorites were Mendocino Headlands, Russian Gulch, and Navarro River Redwoods they have beautiful coastal views with awesome redwood hikes.
Ride the Work Famous “Skunk Train” Since 1885 the historic Skunk has made its way through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River canyon. They offer two routes, with special events all throughout the year.
M & K eloped in last week. They started their wedding day at The La Playa Hotel in Carmel for their get-ready photos then they traveled to the ceremony in a vintage Thunderbird to Fanshell Beach along 17-Mile drive. We then adventured to Big Sur for cliffside sunset photos and their first dance on the beach and a toast to the newly married couple.
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