For the first 5 weeks of summer vacation we went on a massive road trip. I’ve been so excited to tell you all about it! I thought it would be easier to break it up into sections rather than one massively long post. Here’s part 1 of our trip…
Summer Road Trip Part 1: Mendocino
Our first stop was just up the Northern California coast a couple hours to Mendocino. We stayed at Mendocino Grove which is a canvas tent, glamping property right on the coast. It’s a relatively new spot for family luxurious camping that we absolutely loved. We stayed in a family tent with two sets of bunk beds and a queen bed with the most amazing electric blanket. The kids were so excited about the bunk beds and that heated blanket was eeeeverything. Each canvas tent has a fire pit and picnic table outside of it and you can even rent a camping box with everything you need to cook right there.
Around the property you can find hammocks and swings that kept the kids occupied under such majestic trees. In the morning, there’s a cold breakfast bar with cereal and yogurt, coffee and hot chocolate. The bathrooms and showers were really amazing, you’ll forget that you’re in the woods. It honestly felt (and smelled) like a spa.
During the day we explored Mendocino’s beautiful coastline. Right in the Mendocino Headlands you can find so much to explore from tide pools, blow holes, to hidden bridges and caves along the shoreline. It’s one of my very favorite places. Mendocino is such a charming town. Good Life Cafe is our favorite place for breakfast of lunch. Everything there is delicious and it’s very kid friendly.
One day we rented a boat and paddled down Big River. We sang rounds, spotted otters and pretty birds, and Dot fell asleep at the bottom of the canoe.
Getting lost in some sandy cave. The northern CA coast is such a special place.
Back at camp in the evening we made tin foil dinners and s’mores in the evening. Then, after dark you can hang out in the game tent with a glass of wine under twinkle lights, heaters (thank you!) and blankets. All those details were so appreciated. We played Sorry or Dominos there almost every night with the older kids. They loved it.
Honestly, I can’t wait to come back here. It would be so fun to come with another family and let these kids run wild again.
Thanks to Mendocino Grove for hosting us for our stay.