INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS
GETTING AROUND: Point Reyes Station is about an hour drive from the San Francisco area; Mendocino is just more than three hours. Most travelers will want to rent a car.
WHERE TO STAY: In Point Reyes: The Point Reyes Seashore Lodge (10021 Coastal Hwy., Olema, 415-663-9000, .pointreyesseashore.com) is an updated, 21-room country-style lodge. Doubles (many with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs) begin at $135 a night with continental breakfast; private cottages run $295.
Anns View on Tomales Bay (19980 Hwy. 1, Marshall, 415-663-9144, annsview.com) sits above the bay and has just two suites, both of which overlook the water. They go for $225 and $275.
Bar-Or Ranch (11925 Hwy. 1, Point Reyes Station, 415-663-9596, bar-or.com) is a working ranch, with horses and the feel of an Israeli kibbutz. Cottages range from $175 to $400 per night, including an organic continental breakfast.
More than a dozen inns and about a dozen companies renting cottages are listed through Point Reyes Lodging, 800-539-1872, ptreyes.com.
Around Mendocino: Heritage House (5200 N. Hwy. 1, Little River, about 5 miles outside Mendocino, 800-235-5885, heritagehouseinn.com) sits on 37 acres of lovely gardens above the ocean. A double room including breakfast begins at $125 off season (November through March) and $175 during peak season.
Dennen’s Victorian Farmhouse (7001 N. Hwy.1, 800-264-4723, victorianfarmhouse.com) was built in 1877 and is surrounded by two acres of land with gardens. Rates for a double, including breakfast served in your room, range from $135 to $235 a night.
Stanford Inn by the Sea & Spa (Highway 1 at Comptche-
Ukiah Road, 800-331-8884, stanfordinn.com) is a luxurious romantic inn on 10 acres with great views of the Mendocino coast and Big River. Rooms start at $269 a night.
Vacation homes are rented at Mendocino Coast Reservations, 800-262-7801, mendocinovacations.com.
WHERE TO EAT: In Point Reyes: The Station House Cafe (11180 Hwy. 1, Point Reyes Station, 415-663-1515) has a continental menu and a nice garden. Seafood-focused dinner entreesare mostly from $10 to $20. Vladimir’s (12785 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., 415-669-1021) has a Czech and Eastern European menu, with a set price of $15 for lunch, $25 for dinner.
Manka’s Inverness Lodge (30 Callendar Way, Inverness, 800-585-6343) is a 1910 Arts and Crafts-style hunting lodge with a highly regarded restaurant. Fixed-price dinners are $58; $88 on Saturday nights.
For organic, free-range continental fare, the Olema Inn (10000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Olema, 415-663-9559) has been serving travelers since 1876. Entrees begin at $22.
Around Mendocino: For a gourmet meal with a glorious view, try Heritage House (5200 N. Hwy. 1, Little River, 800-235-5885). Entrees, including seafood and meat dishes, begin at $21. The Mendocino Market (45051 Ukiah St., Mendocino, 707-937-3474) has a few tables, or prepare a picnic. In Jenner, River’s End (11048 Hwy. 1, 707-865-2484) includes great continental cuisine with fabulous views. Dinner entrees begin at $23.
WHAT TO DO: Horseback riding: Ride along the beach at Five Brooks Stable, 8001 Hwy. 1, Olema, in the Point Reyes area. Details: fivebrooks.com, 415-663-1570. Lessons are also available at Bar-Or Ranch (see above).
Biking: Rent at Cycle Point Reyes (415-663-9164, cyclepointreyes.com), or in Mendocino, at Stanford Inn by the Sea (see above).
Kayaking: Rent at Blue Waters Kayaking in the Point Reyes area (19225 Hwy. 1, Marshall, 415-663-2252; 12938 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Golden Hinde Inn & Marina, Inverness, 415-669-2600; bwkayak.com), or in Mendocino at Stanford Inn by the Sea (see above).
Whale-watching: Gray whales migrate along the coast; prime season runs late December through early February as they travel south. They return on the trip north late February through April.
Wine tours. Get a list of wineries and brew pubs from the Mendocino Winegrowers Alliance, (707-468-9886, mendowine.com).
Train tours: Ride a steam or diesel train along the scenic Mendocino coast and through redwood forests on the Skunk Train, which has daily 3 1/2-hour runs. Details: 866-457-5865, skunktrain.com.
INFORMATION: West Marin Chamber of Commerce, 415-663-9232, pointreyes.org. Point Reyes National Seashore, 415-464-5100, nps.gov/pore. Mendocino County Alliance, 866-466-3636, gomendo.com.
– Cindy Loose
