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Catherine Karnow
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| Grey Whale Bar & Café |
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E. Spencer Toy
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| Irish coffee |
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Right outside our hotel was the town's best attribute — grassy headlands high above the rocky shoreline, with stunning views. We oriented ourselves at the Ford House Museum & Visitor Center, also the information center for Mendocino Headlands State Park. Besides offering brochures on the town's restaurants and beaches, the center, in a home built in 1854, has exhibits on Mendocino history.When we checked into our hotel, we received coupons for complimentary wine tasting at the Fetzer Vineyards Tasting Room next door (these coupons are generally available at local hotels), so we launched our bargain excursions there. We sampled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, learned about the winery's organic growing practices, and browsed through the nice selection of cheeses, snacks, and cookbooks.
My stomach rumbling, I led Gram to cozy MacCallum House Inn & Restaurant. Though the formal dining room is a bit of a splurge, the Grey Whale Bar & Café, in the restaurant's glassed-in porch, offers lighter, less expensive fare that's equally delicious. We supped on mini burgers and gourmet tacos.
Before turning in, we lingered at the big fireplace in the hotel lobby and treated ourselves to a hot chocolate and an Irish coffee.
THE TAB
$400 BUDGET
DAY 1
Mendocino Hotel & Garden Suites
2 nights
$217.80
Ford House Museum & Visitor Center
Local color
$4 donation
Fetzer Vineyards Tasting Room
Two complimentary wine tastings with hotel coupon
Free
Grey Whale Bar & Café
Dinner on the porch
$37.18
Mendocino Hotel
Warm drinks
by the fire
$12.46
