Top Things to Do in Mendocino in the Fall
Mendocino Coast in the fall.
Colorful fall leaves, vineyard harvests, ripe apple orchards, and crisp starry night skies make autumn in Mendocino, California one of the best times of year to visit. This mellow season is perfect for unwinding amidst the ancient redwoods and rolling golden vineyard hills while enjoying local wine and cuisine. To help you plan your fall getaway, here is our list of top things to do in Mendocino for relaxation and a little adventure.
Taste Wines at Maple Creek Winery
Mendocino County vineyards look stunning in the fall.
Undulating terraces of vines accented with gently turning leaves and heavy with grapes—in the picturesque Yorkville Highlands of the Anderson Valley, visitors will find the friendly tasting room of family-owned Maple Creek Winery, the passion project of artist extraordinaire Tom Rodrigues. Situated up a half-mile paved road, Maple Creek Winery spans 165 acres that includes seven springs, natural gardens, and ripening orchards, and of course, the meandering Maple Creek.
This bucolic setting is the inspiration for their selection of premium, sustainable, and award-winning wines under the Artevino label, including Estate Chardonnay, Estate Pinot Noir, Estate Merlot, Largo Ridge Zinfandel, Flora and Symphony, as well as Bordeaux Blends and late harvest varietals. All of the wines at Maple Creek Winery are made in small lots, handcrafted with passion and approachable enough to please every palate.
Their inviting tasting room is open year-round and their motto is, “Enter as strangers, leave as friends.” A selection of the award-winning Pinots that are perfect for fall and can be tasted right now include the 2017 Lost Creek Pinot Noir, which has aromas of rose petals and lightly toasted oak; the 2017 Estate Pinot Noir, with deep dark flavors of cherries and ripe plums; and the 2014 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, with luscious flavors of dried cherry and cranberry and hints of strawberry and white pepper. They produce fewer than 200 cases of each of these wines each year, so the time to taste them is now.
Maple Creek Winery
Artevino, 20799 CA-128
Yorkville, CA 95494
(707) 895-3001
Railbike Through the Redwoods
Railbiking in Mendocino.
For something completely different, the turning leaves can be watched from the rails while pedaling a people-powered Railbike. Railbikes are an exciting new offering from the Skunk Train, a heritage railway that is one of California’s most beloved attractions. Once used to move logs from the coast, today the railroad’s steam and diesel-powered trains chug through dense woods and zig-zag along the lively Noyo River, providing unparalleled access to the Pacific Coast Temperate Rainforest.
Young and old delight as the trains travel through a 1,122-foot tunnel and cross over 30 trestles, all while sending clouds of steam skyward. Pedaling a Railbike along the tracks reveals a new side of Mendocino’s world-famous Redwood Route. The roundtrip ride is roughly one hour, and because there is an electric motor for a break from pedaling, it’s an ideal excursion for anyone, especially couples and families. Grown-ups say that riding Railbikes in the rain and splashing along through the puddles makes them feel like kids again.
A one-hour Railbike ride costs $79 per person (two people per bike, ages 6 and up). And speaking of kids, all aboard for the Skunk Train’s Pumpkin Express! Every Sunday in October, they offer a round trip excursion to an autumnal wonderland. Everyone will enjoy seasonal treats on board and on arrival at the magical pumpkin patch wonderland. Passengers have the opportunity to walk the pumpkin patch, explore the nearby redwoods, and choose their very own pumpkin to bring back on the train.
Ticket pricing: Adult: $47.95 (Ages 13 and up); Child: $36.95 (Ages 2-12); Infant: $10.95 (Under the age of 2); Dog: $10.95.
Skunk Train, 100 W Laurel St
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
(707) 964-6371
Enjoy Mushroom Magic
Image courtesy of Andrew Ridley on Unsplash
In early November (Nov 1-10), the Fungi Feast celebrates 10 days of Mendocino Mushrooms. The mushroom adventure continues all month-long with classes and events. On November 16, Jeanne Jackson will present “The Fascinating World of Fungi“ as part of the Lighthouse Lecture Series. Mendonoma Sightings author Jeanne Jackson, joined by fungi foragers Hal Ferguson and Catherine Miller, will present a slideshow of edible and non-edible mushrooms that grow on the Mendonoma coast. Learn the basics of foraging—a fun activity for the entire family. This lecture is perfect for beginning foragers. Click here for more information.
If you’re new to the world of mushrooms, on November 30 check out “Mushroom Identification for Beginners.” Learn the basic taxonomic identifying features that distinguish mushrooms from each other, where and when each unique mushroom species can be found, and the myths associated with them. This workshop consists of a lecture, hands-on look at mushrooms collected and displayed for each workshop, and a field walk to find mushrooms associated with the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens’ native plant communities. Identification tools will be provided at the workshop to key mushrooms. Click here for more information.
Admire Art Inspired by Nature
New watercolors from Kristin Otwell will be featured at Partners Gallery for the month of November. The show’s title, “The Nature of Things” was chosen because the artist has painted many of the “things” that she finds intriguing and beautiful in nature. These include fallen leaves, tree bark, rocks, and driftwood along with various items from her personal collection of natural “things.” The exhibit will be up from October 31 through December 1, with a “First Friday” opening on November 1 from 5-8 p.m. Click here for more information.
Expanding on the mushroom theme mentioned in the previous tip, there will be a mushroom-inspired art exhibit throughout November at Artists’ Collective in Elk. This creative art showing will include an array of mediums including paintings, drawings, photographs, leather work, etched glass, and more. There will also be greeting cards, a mushroom table, mushroom teas, and the Wild Mushroom Cookbook. Participating artists will include Jim Vickery, Rachel Lahn, Billy Sprague, Sondra Sula, Jon Klein, Cynthia Myers, Craig Hathaway, and Alison Gardner.
Artists’ Collective in Elk
6031 S. Hwy 1 Elk, CA 95432
(707) 877-1128
Explore a Spectacular Show of Glittering Color
Every year, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens transforms into a spectacular show of glittering color. This holiday event will run rain or shine each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening from November 29 through December 22. Adult tickets are$10 and children ages 16 and under attend for free thanks to the funds raised by the annual benefit, the Festival of Lights Gala.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
18220 N Hwy 1 Fort Bragg, CA 95437
707-964-4352
Accommodation Tips
Check out the best Mendocino hotel deals HERE.
Rustic Indulgence at Brewery Gulch Inn
Guided horseback riding through the coast is among the activities included in the North Coast Adventure Package at Brewery Gulch Inn.
Autumn at Brewery Gulch Inn is all about all about rustic indulgence at its most personal with cozy fires indoors to unwind after a day of outdoor adventures. The North Coast Adventure Package allows guests to experience the best of Mendocino’s active lifestyle in incomparable luxury. Crafted from eco-salvaged redwoods on a bluff high above stunning Smuggler’s Cove, Brewery Gulch Inn is an architectural masterpiece.
The property encompasses three acres of mature pines and redwoods, wooded glens, wetland ponds, and gardens for strolling. Inside there is arts and crafts furniture and a four-sided glass and steel fireplace. The rooms have feather beds cloaked in Sferra linens, Molton Brown products, Himalayan bath salts, and thick Abyss towels. The full-time executive chef prepares complimentary cooked-to-order breakfasts and a coveted nightly dinner buffet highlighting locally-sourced, organic ingredients.
Take a 10% discount on a three-night stay and add the North Coast Adventure Package for $250. This package includes a guided horseback ride for two through the redwoods or along the beach, a guided kayak tour through the sea caves along the Mendocino coast, and a backpacking picnic for two to take on one of your excursions. Just mention North Coast Adventure and that you saw this deal on The Spa Insider at the time of booking.
Brewery Gulch Inn
9401 N. Highway One, Mendocino, CA 95460
(707) 937-4752
Stargazing at Little River Inn
Starry nights away at Little River Inn.
The gracious Little River Inn offers a Stargazing Family Fun Package, complete with a blanket and hot cocoa, to enjoy the nightly display that is spectacularly so far from the lights of the city. Family-owned and operated for five generations, the inn is a turn-of-the-century stunner, surrounded by manicured gardens filled with bright pink amaryllis and steps from eminently hikeable Van Damme State Park.
Their award-winning restaurant cooks up seasonal delicacies such as the mushrooms Mendocino is famous for, which may include Oyster mushrooms and Boletes that fruit in fall, and perhaps even early Golden Chanterelles that are just beginning to come into season.
The Inn is especially appropriate for a family holiday, with 65 rooms—from the affordable to the downright luxurious—all with ocean views. Everything needed for a fabulous vacation is right onsite. The full-service resort boasts a golf course, regulation tennis courts, a salon, and spa.
The Stargazing Family Fun Package includes two nights’ lodging in a Traditional Ocean View Room with two queen beds; Little River Inn travel blanket; the loan of their stargazing kit including special binoculars, star map, star guide, and flashlight; hot chocolate to enjoy while stargazing; and information on stargazing for the area. The Stargazing Family Package for four starts at $408 for a two-night stay, exclusive of tax and gratuity.
Little River Inn
7901 N. Highway One, Little River, CA 95456
(707) 937-5942
For more Mendocino travel tips, go to visitmendocino.com.
[Images courtesy of Visit Mendocino]
Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy