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The Village of Mendocino

Is it humanly possible to resist the charm of Mendocino? Who would even want to try? The place is an utter delight. With every word, one risks sounding like a cliché, but this place is virtually the definition of quaint, charming, enchanting.

The entire town is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s easy to see why. Every structure speaks of history, from the redwood water towers to the fences and houses whose wood is weathered by the salt air, the fog, the wind.  While the village is replete today with luxurious inns and B&Bs, truly world-class restaurants, chic boutiques, art galleries of every stripe, and wonderful shops, everything—from the architecture to the picket fences to the lush gardens spilling over with rose and berry bushes transports you in an instant to the 19th century.

It’s so quiet overlooking the ocean at Mendocino Headlands (just drive out Little Lake Street toward the ocean) that you can hear the flapping wings of ducks flying overhead. Looking north, you can see Point Cabrillo. The wonderful old houses and buildings have been superbly maintained without becoming fussy, and they live on gorgeously as B&Bs, shops, restaurants, and businesses.