The Upper Russian River Valley is incredibly fertile. Before the hills were covered with vineyards, they were mostly covered with hops, the crop from which Hopland gets its name. Today, Hopland is at the heart of the wine country, with eight tasting rooms in this tiny town alone. Of course, the presence of Mendocino Brewing Company’s Hopland Ale House downtown (the first brewpub in California after Prohibition) serves as a reminder that the brewing traditions are still alive and well here.

Bocce is played many days at the Brutocao Cellar’s Schoolhouse Plaza and the Bluebird Café serves up homey fare that is famous countywide, from an historic white roadhouse overlooking Highway 101.

Just about ten minutes drive north, restaurant-filled Ukiah boasts delicious modern cuisine that belies the ambiance of unchanged, small town perfection all around you. The profusion of galleries in town lets you know that you are now surrounded by the artists that helped put Mendocino County on the map. Fun, unique boutiques and tasting rooms round out the tourist experience.

The Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah is one of the star cultural attractions in the County, with a combination of local history, art and Native American culture.

For outdoors lovers, Ukiah is just Southeast of Montgomery Woods State Reserve, 700 acres of mostly virgin forest and one of the County’s most spectacular nature areas.

Locals love to spend a summer day at Lake Mendocino, just minutes northeast of town, which features more than 300 campsites, 100 picnic sites, boating, fishing, and horseback riding – a few of the many ways to enjoy this beautiful lake.

Another local favorite is Cow Mountain Recreation Area, which has 120 miles of OHV trails.

Further northeast lies little Potter Valley, the County’s smallest appellation and renowned for producing some of its most talked about wines.