Choosing where to stay in Mendocino is one of those travel decisions that sounds simple until you start looking at all the charming inns, boutique hotels, glamping tents, and coastal retreats. And honestly, that is part of what makes Mendocino so special.
After staying at a lot of properties in Mendocino, I can tell you that there isn’t one single “best” hotel for everyone. I love that the hotels and inns here are so unique because it means I can return to Mendocino and have a completely different experience each time.
I’ve narrowed down the best Mendocino hotels below so you don’t have to spend hours comparing every property in town.
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Hotel Picks & Planning Tips
Where to Stay
- Little River Inn ($$$), for classic coastal charm, ocean views, and an on-site restaurant
- Mendocino Grove ($$), for a surprisingly comfortable glamping experience in nature
- Brewery Gulch Inn ($$$), for an intimate luxury stay with incredible food
- MacCallum House ($$$), for historic luxury in the heart of Mendocino Village
- Stanford Inn ($$$), for wellness, nature, and my favorite eco-resort experience —
- SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm ($$), for a peaceful farm stay near Van Damme State Park
Things to Do
- Mendocino County: Railbiking Tour Along the Noyo River, ride through redwoods and along the river — 4 hours
- 25 Best Things to Do in Mendocino, California, my favorite ways to explore the coast and town
Helpful Guides to Plan Your Trip
Planning a Mendocino getaway? Start with my 25 Best Things to do in Mendocino, California for ideas on what to see and experience, then check out my 8 Best Restaurants in Mendocino when you’re ready to plan your meals. And if you’re putting together a longer escape, my The Perfect Weekend Getaway Guide for Mendocino, California is a great place to start organizing the whole trip.
Little River Inn
($$$) | Best for Ocean Views & Classic Mendocino Charm
Little River Inn has been welcoming guests for more than 80 years, and after staying here, I can absolutely understand why people keep coming back. This is the kind of classic Mendocino Coast inn where the setting does a lot of the talking, with sweeping Pacific views, fireplaces, cozy rooms, and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
My room was an ocean-view room (#114 is highly recommended!) and where I spent my evenings in a rocking chair on the patio, watching the sunset over the Pacific. Inside, a wood-burning fireplace kept things extra cozy at night.
The on-site restaurant is a local favorite (and now a favorite of mine!) — even on a Tuesday night, it was packed. The clam chowder was one of the best I’ve ever had, with just a touch of cream and fresh steamed clams cooked in the shell. And we went all out with bouillabaisse and crispy Thai-inspired local rock cod. The next morning, breakfast was delivered right to our room, which made it very difficult to convince myself to leave.
There’s even an Audubon-certified golf course on the property, so you could easily spend a whole weekend here without feeling like you need to leave. The only thing to keep in mind is that Little River Inn is in Little River rather than directly in Mendocino Village, so you’ll want a car for getting around. It’s just minutes south of town
Mendocino Grove
($$) | Best for Glamping & Nature
If traditional camping isn’t exactly your idea of a relaxing vacation but you still want to sleep surrounded by trees, Mendocino Grove is the answer. I’m not usually much of a camper, so this kind of glamping was much more my speed. You get the fun of being outdoors without giving up the things that make a vacation feel like a vacation.
The property sits on 37 acres of coastal woodland just outside Mendocino, with safari-style tents tucked among the trees. The tents come with real beds, linens, decks, picnic tables, and fire rings, and many have heated beds or blankets for those chilly Mendocino nights.
There’s a communal meadow with hammocks and fire pits, along with morning coffee and tea, nature activities, and a dry sauna. But, one of my favorite parts was how they started the campfire right outside our tent and left us a s’mores kit to use!
Just keep in mind that the bathrooms are communal rather than ensuite. For me, that was a small price to pay for waking up surrounded by redwoods.
Brewery Gulch Inn
($$$) | Best for an Intimate Luxury Escape
Brewery Gulch Inn is what happens when comfort meets style, and honestly, I didn’t want to leave. The community great room, with its massive fireplace and cozy seating, is the kind of place where you can easily spend an entire evening (and we did!).
Each night, this is where they host what they call a “wine hour,” which is more like a full-on dinner. Instead of just small bites, they fill a wooden box (labeled with your room name) with enough food for a full meal. The night we were there, it included panko-breaded tenderloin of pork schnitzel with a mushroom, tomato, and caper sauce, roasted Yukon Gold potatoes, an organic beet mixed greens salad, and house-made chocolate mousse for dessert. They also had a selection of included wines to pair with the meal.
If you’re into games, they have plenty to choose from. We spent our time after dinner in a fierce competition at their giant Scrabble board. Plus, they have a 700+ DVD collection and a library full of great books. You won’t be bored!
The rooms themselves are designed for relaxation, with fireplaces, plush robes, and ocean views. And if you’re up for an adventure, you’re just minutes from Catch a Canoe (a favorite spot for kayaking), downtown Mendocino, and Van Damme Beach.
And breakfast? Absolutely worth waking up for. I had the Mendocino Coast Morning Protein Bowl, a slightly spicy almond milk, lemongrass, and fennel broth with carrots, sweet potatoes, wilted organic kale, and tofu, topped with cilantro micro-greens. It was unique, flavorful, and exactly what I needed after all the indulgent meals.
The inn doesn’t have elevators, so if mobility is a concern, check that your preferred room works for you before booking.
MacCallum House
($$$) | Best for History & a Walkable Location
If you love historic hotels with a little luxury mixed in, MacCallum House is one to put on your Mendocino list. Built in 1882 as a wedding gift for Daisy MacCallum, the property is a historic landmark right in the center of Mendocino Village.
The location is one of its biggest perks. You can walk to shops, restaurants, galleries, and the coastline, which means you can park the car and forget about it for a while. That’s a pretty appealing option in a town where wandering is half the fun.
The property is made up of several different types of accommodations, including rooms in the Main House, cottages, Historic Barn rooms, suites, and other unique spaces. Depending on the room, you’ll find features like fireplaces, hot tubs, saunas, decks, and ocean views.
MacCallum House also has its own restaurant, serving local, seasonal, organic Northern California cuisine. Breakfast is included with the stay, so you can settle in without having to go anywhere first thing in the morning.
One thing to check before booking is the minimum-stay policy, since many reservations require two nights, although there can be some midweek flexibility..
Stanford Inn
($$$) | Best for Wellness & Slowing Down
Stanford Inn is one of my favorite places to stay in Mendocino, and it’s easy to understand why once you arrive. This peaceful eco-resort feels like a place designed specifically for slowing down.
It’s tucked among the redwoods near Big River and the Pacific, with organic gardens, cozy places to sit, and some of the cutest rescue animals around. I loved wandering through the gardens and finding an Adirondack chair to settle into. There are also massage rooms overlooking the woods, a saltwater pool and hot tub, a sauna, and a fitness room.
Then there’s Ravens, the inn’s restaurant, where everything is plant-based and centered around organic, seasonal ingredients, including produce grown in the inn’s own gardens. You definitely don’t have to be vegan to appreciate the food.
SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm
($$) | Best for a Farm Stay Near Nature
SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm is a lovely option if you want a peaceful coastal escape with plenty of nature around you. The property sits on 15 acres in Little River, just south of Mendocino, with woodland, gardens, pastures, and trail access toward Van Damme State Park and the coast.
There are several types of accommodations here, including a historic 1867 farmhouse, a modern lodge, the Cobbler’s House, the Fourquarters Building, and a standalone cottage. There are 31 rooms in total, with many offering wood-burning fireplaces and ocean views.
I like the location for travelers who want to feel removed from the busyness of town without being completely isolated. It’s about 2.6 miles, or roughly five minutes by car, from Main Street in Mendocino, so you can easily head into town when you want to shop, eat, or explore and then come back to a quieter setting.
Breakfast is included with every stay, and the property also offers dining through Terra Farm Kitchen. The focus on sustainability, wellness, nature, and locally inspired food makes this a natural fit for a Mendocino getaway built around slowing down.
You’ll want a car if you plan to explore more of the Mendocino Coast, but if your idea of a good vacation is waking up surrounded by nature and not having much on the agenda, this setting is hard to beat.
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Expedia is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘Watch Prices’ to get an email alert when the prices change.
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with RentalCars.com (it’s part of booking.com) for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
Flying International?
Get Cell Data Before You Arrive: I recommend using airalo for international travel. Also, book an airport transfer in advance (I use Kiwi Taxi). Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
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