Last week we drove 3 hours up the Northern California coast to Mendocino. It’s one of my favorite coastal towns. It sits precariously right on the cliffs, and incredibly charming. We stayed at a really special seaside inn with little cabins called The Andiron, would you like to see how our weekend went?
A Weekend Away Up the Coast
The Andrion sits on a hilly property across the road from the beach just 5 minutes down the road from the town of Mendocino. There’s one main cabin, and then several small cabins where guests stay. You could tell the owners (who live/work in Berkeley and come up on the weekends), have put so much love into this inn. Each room has a theme, and they’ve curated each cabin in such an interesting, and thoughtful way.
Vintage pieces and gorgeous mid century design. Lots of hidden treasures and interesting board games around to use. For families, a couple cabins are adjoined together as a suite which makes it ideal. We stayed in Curious and CuriousER. Our cabins were filled with astronomy trinkets, and we even had a telescope to star gaze at night.
One of my favorite things is the hot tub down a path tucked into the woods with twinkle lights at night.
When we woke up the first morning we headed to a ‘toast bar’ at the main cabin. Three goats and some chickens greeted us that live adjacent to the main cabin. They roam the property during the day and the kids were so into it! The owners showed us how they feed the animals, and we even gathered fresh eggs from the coop for breakfast. Before we headed out for the day, they gave us directions to access the secret beach across from the property.
We first explored the Mendocino Headlands. There’s so much to see here. Roaming paths across the cliffs, sea anemones, magical caves- all stunning scenery. The town sites right next to the headlands so we headed in afterwards for some lunch at The Goodlife Cafe and Bakery. Everything there is scrumptious! I got some lentil soup, which came with the most delicious gluten free bread I’d ever tasted. Don’t forget the mac and cheese, for the kids.
Jared took Dot back to the cabin for a nap and I took the Henry and Edie to find the secret beach across from our cabin. It’s right off the road but you have to know where to find it, and they gave us a handy map! At low tide you can walk out to the little island but it wasn’t quite low enough for that yet. Edie searched for shells for our fish tank back at home.
When we came back, we headed out for a soak in the forest hot tub, and then had some downtime in the cabin. Every evening on weekends, they host a happy hour with drinks and small bites. Edie was way too excited for this. She kept on asking when the FUN hour was and Jared and I couldn’t stop laughing about it.
That night at FUN HOUR they made raclette, which they do every Saturday night in the winter. Delicious melted cheese broiled over veggies, one of my new favorites! The owners were incredibly friendly and we sat and chatted for a while with the other guests who stopped in. Many of them were regulars, it clearly has a cult following! The kids grabbed puzzles and we borrowed a movie to watch later, complete with a bag of microwave popcorn.
That night we ordered take out from Mendocino Cafe and watched the sunset on the cliffs. Then we piled under blankets watching Fantastic Mr. Fox. Even though it started to rain, the kids kept sneaking out to the fire pit in the field to snatch handfuls of marshmallow from the s’mores jars. During the summer they sometimes project movies outside if the weather is nice enough. That would be dreamy!
The next day was rainy so we had a cozy morning inside the cabin, one last soak in the forest hot tub, and then headed back down the windy coast. The perfect cozy weekend away. Can’t wait to come back another time!
Thanks to The Andrion for such a special weekend away up the coast.
Other local travel ideas: Winter Trip to Yosemite, and Day Trip to Napa Valley
Unfortunately, travel becomes increasingly difficult during the pandemic. But I already dream that as soon as everything is over, I will definitely take off the car and drive around the entire coast! I love comfortable rides, and find here cool cars for that
It’s special for a happy weekend.123movies
OMgoodness. we also stayed there on a Harley trip down the coast. Adored it. Peaceful, quirky, inviting, and memorable. I don’t recall the name of the cabin we stayed in, but it held some boyscout memborabalia, a guitar, and generally interesting ‘things’. I had messaged the innkeepers we’d be there (unfortunately not on a weekend ‘fun night’…) and asked if they’d prepare us a ‘snack’ as we were travelling a bit on the motorcycle….cutest wine/beer nuts and reuse of containers ….they’d reutilized a marshmallow crème container to put snacks in. We also loved the forest spa….met one of the guitar players from a country band and his new bride there! Definitely wish to return.
HI TRACY! You stayed in Cabin 1/Nature and I remember thinking that the old marshmallow container was not charming but I hate waste, so…I used it.
And I believe the musician you met was from Dragland! The visit regularly and have hosted a few sing-a-longs at happy hour.
Come back soon!
Have you checked out Sea Ranch? On the way up to Mendocino. It’s one of my fav spots in the world.
I’ve been meaning to!
A special weekend indeed, sounds like you had a wonderful time! Thank you for sharing! 🙂 💕
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com