Mendocino

A small coastal town in Northern California known for its scenic cliffs, redwood forests, and the historic Skunk Train.

Mendocino Guides

2 Nights & 3 Days in Mendocino: A Taste of Redwood Country Charm
thecannabistrail (The Cannabis Trail )
From waves to woods, Mendocino offers gorgeous views, rustic charm and deep roots in hospitality and cannabis culture.○ Day 1:■ Grab some coffee at Black Oak Roasters and head to Plantshop, a uniqueand friendly cannabis shop with a gorgeous outdoor lounge and eventspace and a selection focused on local sungrown cannabis flowers.Plantshop is also a Cannabis Trail landmark honoring the Back to theLand movement and the intentional communities of the area. Grab lunchin Ukiah.■ Take Highway 253 on the South end of town over the hill to the beautifulAnderson Valley. Hang a right on 128 and in nearby Philo you’ll come toThe Madrones, an inn with a Mediterranean elegance that will transportyou to Europe, with an onsite restaurant and boutique cannabis shop.Take time to explore the unique varieties of cannabis at The BohemianChemist (another Cannabis Trail landmark) and relax on their outdoorpatio, then you’ll be primed and hungry for dinner at Wickson Restaurant.○ Day 2:■ After enjoying your morning coffee, pack some snacks and head to HendyWoods State Park to enjoy an easy hike and some forest bathing in an oldgrowth redwood grove.■ Head west on 128, driving through the redwoods towards the coast. Takeit slow on these windy roads to safely enjoy the view. Just before youreach Mendocino, turn left at Brewery Gulch Road and park at the pullout,then walk out to the bluffs at the Mendocino Bay Viewpoint for asweeping view of the village and Big River Beach.■ Once in Mendocino, check in to the MacCallum House and ask about their“Everything but the Bud” cannabis-themed goodie basket complete withpapers, a grinder, and munchie snacks. Walk over to the adorable Sol deMendocino cannabis shop where you can discover the pioneeringactivism work of Pebbles Trippet on the Cannabis Trail Landmark signs.Pick up the “bud”, or other cannabis beverages or goodies to completeyour basket.■ Enjoy dinner at Luna for authentic Italian food and warm atmosphere, andbook a soak at the nearby Sweetwater Spa or take a stroll through thecharming village. Sunset out at the Headlands is a local favorite as well.○ Day 3:■ Enjoy breakfast on the patio at Good Life Cafe before heading north toFort Bragg.■ Pop by Dragonfly Wellness, a legacy cannabis shop focused on medicalcannabis and wellness applications. Get all your cannabis questionsanswered here.■ Enjoy the famous Glass Beach at the north end of town, where you cancontinue your walk for as long as you like along the Fort Bragg CoastalTrail. Enjoy the beautiful ocean views and breeze.■ After your walk, grab some lunch at Piaci before taking Highway 20 eastto Willits and back to the 101 where you can head south to Santa Rosa tocatch your flight.● Eat:○ Oco Time in Ukiah is a unique California twist on Japanese food (with TONS ofvegetarian and vegan options).○ Ukiah Brewing Company is a great option for pub food and beer right downtownin Ukiah, and they often have live music.○ Left Coast Seafood focuses on fresh, local, and organic seafood and seasonalfare in an upscale casual setting in downtown Ukiah.○ Luna Trattoria is an amazing family owned authentic Italian restaurant tuckedback behind the Sweetwater Spa in Mendocino. Reservations are recommended!○ Good Life Cafe and Bakery is a cute locally owned bakery, coffee shop and cafeserving homemade goodness and displaying local art. Check out the cute farmstand towards the back of the patio for local produce, bread and more!○ Piaci Pizza is a cozy pub in downtown Fort Bragg serving a great selection oflocal beers, wines, and ciders, and delicious thin crust pizzas, calzones andsalads.○ Explore even more eats with Visit Mendocino.
4 Nights & 5 Days in the Emerald Triangle: Cannabis Places of Source
thecannabistrail (The Cannabis Trail )
A journey through the heart of California’s counterculture and legacy cannabis communities that offers a great introduction to the Emerald Triangle.○ Day 1:■ Heading north from Santa Rosa to Ukiah, grab some coffee at Black OakRoasters and head to Plantshop, a unique cannabis shop with a gorgeousoutdoor lounge and event space and a selection focused on localsungrown flowers and a Cannabis Trail landmark honoring the Back to theLand movement and intentional communities. Grab lunch in Ukiah.■ Take Highway 253 on the South end of town over the hill to the beautifulAnderson Valley. Hang a right on 128 and in nearby Philo you’ll come toThe Madrones, an inn with a Mediterranean elegance that will transportyou to Europe, with an onsite restaurant and boutique cannabis shop.Take time to explore the unique varieties of cannabis at The BohemianChemist (another Cannabis Trail landmark) and relax on their outdoorpatio, then you’ll be primed and hungry for dinner at Wickson Restaurant.○ Day 2:■ After enjoying your morning coffee, pack some snacks and head to HendyWoods State Park to enjoy an easy hike and some forest bathing in an oldgrowth redwood grove.■ Head west on 128, driving through the redwoods towards the coast. Takeit slow on these windy roads to safely enjoy the view. Just before youreach Mendocino, turn left at Brewery Gulch Road and park at the pullout,then walk out to the bluffs at the Mendocino Bay Viewpoint for asweeping view of the village and Big River Beach.■ Once in Mendocino, check in to the MacCallum House and ask about their“Everything but the Bud” cannabis-themed goodie basket complete withpapers, a grinder, and munchie snacks. Walk over to the adorable Sol deMendocino cannabis shop where you can discover the pioneeringactivism work of Pebbles Trippet on the Cannabis Trail Landmark signs.Pick up the “bud”, or other cannabis beverages or goodies to completeyour basket.■ Enjoy dinner at Luna for authentic Italian food and warm atmosphere, andbook a soak at the nearby Sweetwater Spa or take a stroll through thecharming village. Sunset out at the Headlands is a local favorite as well.○ Day 3:■ Enjoy breakfast on the patio at Good Life before heading north to FortBragg. Enjoy the famous Glass Beach at the north end of town, where youcan continue your walk for as long as you like along the Fort BraggCoastal Trail.■ After your walk, grab some lunch and check out your options for gettingback to 101: north along the Lost Coast to Leggett on Highway 1, or eastto Willits on Highway 20 - both are pretty windy so take it slow.■ Grab lunch along the way in Garberville and be sure to stop by theSouthern Humboldt Visitors Center to learn more about the first hempstore, Hemp Connection, and the work of Marie Mills at their CannabisTrail landmark.■ The redwoods get bigger as you go further north along the 101, and you’llhave lots of opportunities to stop and see them. Take a slight detour offthe highway and explore the Avenue of the Giants for a close up look atthe majestic trees and plenty of opportunities to pull over and hug one.Keep an eye out, this is BigFoot country!■ Work up an appetite in the woods? As you head north, stop in Fortuna forlunch at Eel River Brewing, the first certified organic brewery.■ Check into your hotel in Eureka or Arcata - both towns offer gorgeoushistorical architecture, adorable cafes and restaurants, and a greatselection of wellness and outdoor activities.● Day 4:○ Grab some breakfast and head to Humboldt Cannabis Tours to hop on thevan and explore Humboldt’s legacy farms, nurseries, or cannabis shopsand lounges. You’ll want to book your tour ahead of time so the team canplan the perfect experience for you. While you’re at the tour depot, alandmark on The Cannabis Trail, you can learn about the work of DouglasFir and Lawrence Ringo in Humboldt County.○ If possible, ask Matt at Humboldt Cannabis Tours to take you to thebeautiful Huckleberry Hill Farms, which was the first landmark to benamed on The Cannabis Trail. Johnny Casali’s story of resilience andcommunity is a tear-jerker, very moving.○ Once you arrive back from your amazing tour, grab dinner at one of themany delicious restaurants in Eureka such as Tavern 1888, and head backdown the 101 south to Benbow Inn which is also a great spot for dinner.● Day 5:○ The historic Benbow Inn has an onsite restaurant and a big patio openingup to the Eel River which is a great place to enjoy your morning coffee andcannabis ritual.○ Heading south, stop to explore Richardson Grove, a beautiful redwoodpark that straddles Highway 101 that has been a battleground forenvironmental conservation after attempts to widen the highway.
6 Nights & 7 Days: From Roots to Redwoods on The California Cannabis Trail
thecannabistrail (The Cannabis Trail )
A full taste of the unique culture of innovation, regeneration, equity and respect for the earth that makes Northern California cannabis country so special - fly into OAK and rent a car to get up to the Emerald Triangle.○ Day 1:■ Visit the beautiful Root’d in the 510 to stock up, being sure to stop by theCannabis Trail landmark sign and if it’s open, enjoy the adjacent lounge.Then head to nearby Smokin Woods BBQ for lunch.■ Now well stocked and fed, make your way to Lake Merritt for an afternoonstroll around the Lake, hopefully the weather is typically gorgeous.■ If you need one more stop for weed in the neighborhood, Ivy Hill andOakanna are both near Lake Merritt.■ Check into your hotel and relax, enjoying dinner somewhere nearby. Ifthere’s live music or a show at Fox Theater, it’s an iconic date night spot!○ Day 2:■ Stop by Blunts and Moore, where Tucky Blunt opened the first equitylicensed shop. If there’s a game or event going on at the Coliseum, you’rein the neighborhood. Blunts and Moore is also a landmark on TheCannabis Trail.■ Enjoy some of the goodies you’ve procured, grab lunch and then head toOakland Museum of California to take in a few of their enlighteningexhibits.■ Perhaps a spa treatment at your hotel or at least a soak in the bathtubwith a cannabis infused bath bomb to help you unwind?○ Day 3:■ A great day starts with breakfast - and Oakland has plenty to offer here.Oakland Grill is a humble but delicious spot but it can get busy.■ Heading north to Ukiah, head to Plantshop, a unique dispensary with agorgeous outdoor lounge and event space and a selection focused onlocal sungrown flower and a Cannabis Trail landmark honoring the Backto the Land movement. Grab lunch in Ukiah.■ Take Highway 253 on the South end of town over the hill to the beautifulAnderson Valley. Hang a right on 128 and in nearby Philo you’ll come toThe Madrones, an inn with a Mediterranean elegance that will transportyou to Europe, with an onsite restaurant and boutique cannabis shop.Take time to explore the unique varieties of cannabis at The BohemianChemist (another Cannabis Trail landmark) and relax on their outdoorpatio, then you’ll be primed and hungry for dinner at Wickson Restaurant.○ Day 4:■ After enjoying your morning coffee and sesh, pack some snacks and headto Hendy Woods State Park to enjoy an easy hike in an old growthredwood grove.■ Head west on 128, driving through the redwoods towards the coast. Takeit slow on these windy roads to safely enjoy the view. Just before youreach Mendocino, turn left at Brewery Gulch Road and park at the pullout,then walk out to the bluffs at the Mendocino Bay Viewpoint for asweeping view of the village and Big River Beach.■ Once in Mendocino, check in to the MacCallum House and ask about their“Everything but the Bud” cannabis-themed goodie basket complete withpapers, a grinder, and munchie snacks. Walk over to the adorable Sol deMendocino cannabis shop where you can discover the pioneeringactivism work of Pebbles Trippet on the Cannabis Trail Landmark signs.Pick up the “bud”, or other cannabis beverages or goodies to completeyour basket.■ Enjoy dinner at Luna for authentic Italian food and warm atmosphere, andbook a soak at the nearby Sweetwater Spa or take a stroll through thecharming village. Sunset out at the Headlands is a local favorite as well.○ Day 5:■ Enjoy breakfast on the patio at Good Life before heading north to FortBragg. Enjoy the famous Glass Beach at the north end of town, where youcan continue your walk for as long as you like along the Fort BraggCoastal Trail while sparking up something tasty.■ After your walk, grab some lunch and check out your options for gettingback to 101: north along the Lost Coast to Leggett on Highway 1, or eastto Willits on Highway 20 - both are pretty windy but 1 perhaps a bitmoreso.■ Grab lunch along the way in Garberville and be sure to stop by theSouthern Humboldt Visitors Center to learn more about the first hempstore, Hemp Connection, and the work of Marie Mills at their CannabisTrail landmark.■ The redwoods get bigger as you go further north along the 101, and you’llhave lots of opportunities to stop and see them. Take a slight detour offthe highway and explore the Avenue of the Giants for a close up look atthe majestic trees and plenty of opportunities to pull over and hug one.■ Work up an appetite in the woods? As you head north, stop in Fortuna forlunch at Eel River Brewing, the first certified organic brewery.■ Check into your hotel in Eureka or Arcata - both towns offer gorgeoushistorical architecture, adorable cafes and restaurants, and a greatselection of wellness and outdoor activities.● Day 6:○ Grab some breakfast and head to Humboldt Cannabis Tours to hop on thevan and explore Humboldt’s legacy farms, nurseries, or cannabis shopsand lounges. You’ll want to book your tour ahead of time so the team canplan the perfect experience for you. While you’re at the tour depot, alandmark on The Cannabis Trail, you can learn about the work of DouglasFir and Lawrence Ringo in Humboldt County.○ If possible, ask Matt at Humboldt Cannabis Tours to take you to thebeautiful Huckleberry Hill Farms, which was the first landmark to benamed on The Cannabis Trail. Johnny Casali’s story of resilience andcommunity is a tear-jerker, very moving.○ Once you arrive back from your amazing tour, grab dinner at one of themany delicious restaurants in Eureka such as Tavern 1888, and head backdown the 101 south to Benbow Inn which is also a great spot for dinner.● Day 7:○ The historic Benbow Inn has an onsite restaurant and a big patio openingup to the Eel River which is a great place to enjoy your morning coffee andcannabis ritual.○ Heading south, stop to explore Richardson Grove, a beautiful redwoodpark that straddles Highway 101 that has been a battleground forenvironmental conservation after attempts to widen the highway.○ Repeat any stops you really enjoyed as you head south back to Oakland tocatch your flight home.
The 2024 Cannabis Trail Challenge
thecannabistrail (The Cannabis Trail )
Welcome to The Cannabis Trail's 2024 Challenge, where you can enjoy the best cannabis travel experiences while learning about the history and culture of California's cannabis community and the legalization movement!Enter this Challenge to plan your journey along The Cannabis Trail in 2024 and enter to WIN a 4-day / 3 night getaway for two at Coral Cove Wellness cannabis resort in Jamaica: https://www.coralcovewellness.com/A winner will be chosen at random from those who joined the challenge at the end of 2024 and notified by email. Prize is a 3-night stay at Coral Cove to be used within 2 years of award date. Does not include airfare or any other expenses, but we can help you plan your trip!
The Cannabis Trail Landmarks
thecannabistrail (The Cannabis Trail )
Travel the Cannabis Trail by visiting these cultural landmarks - modern cannabis travel experiences in Northern California that allow you to experience cannabis culture and learn about pioneers and stories in the fight for legal access to the plant.
California Glamping - where nature meets luxury
michele (Michele Humeston)
Nothing better than wine, nature, soft beds and s’mores.
California's Lighthouses: A Comprehensive Guide
seeker (Seeker Editors)
Embark on a journey along California's spectacular coastline, and you'll discover a series of majestic guardians beaming out over the Pacific — the lighthouses. These iconic structures, perched on rugged cliffs and sandy shores, are more than just nautical landmarks; they're storied beacons of history, adventure, and engineering prowess that have guided sailors safely to harbor for generations. So, grab your binoculars and a sense of wonder as we dive into "California's Lighthouses: A Comprehensive Guide," where each lighthouse stands as a chapter of a maritime tale waiting to illuminate the Golden State's shoreline secrets.
Northern California Towns that deserve more attention
psych.adeleic (Adele Bilotta)
When people think of California, they think white sandy beaches, celebrities, sunshine and the palm tree lined 'gold-paved' streets of Southern California. But the towering coastal redwoods, rugged fog-sheathed coastlines, and small town charm of Northern California towns deserve more hype.
West Coast Road Trip
chiefseeker (Jody Vandergriff)