We feel a holiday-season road trip coming on, part of which could include a foray into Mendocino County. That's because of its inaugural Festive Fortnight celebration, Thursday through Dec. 14.

There will be plenty to see and do in all the towns and villages throughout the county. The views (and seafood dinners) are worth the drive, from rugged coastline to old-growth redwood forests. Plus, wineries and microbreweries abound.

The fortnight program will include the 23rd annual Mendocino Coast Candlelight Inn Tour, featuring food- and wine-tastings, music and other entertainment during a tour of Mendocino's charming inns.

The Festival of Lights returns to the 47-acre Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, a seaside retreat-turned-wonderland lit with thousands of holiday lights.

Festive Fortnight will feature other holiday-themed special events (concerts, sing-alongs, tree-lightings, parades), plus dollars-off deals at restaurants, wineries, inns, bike and kayak rental stores, and retail shops (art galleries, toy shops, clothing boutiques).

For full details: www.festivemendocino.com, (866) 466-3636.