Lodging

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Atrium in Fort Bragg

Are you looking for an affordable, pet-friendly place to stay in downtown Fort Bragg that serves a gourmet breakfast?  The Atrium Inn by the sea, located in the historic downtown, offers rooms starting at $95.  You’ll have enough money in your pocket to enjoy a massage at the nearby Bamboo Garden Spa.  Book a three night stay in the winter and they’ll even help pay for gas on the way up the Mendocino coast.

On a recent visit in August, I stayed in the Bunk House, a cowboy themed room with a queen bed that rents for $115 in the winter season. Prices also include an evening social hour with local wines and a tasty, home-cooked breakfast is served in the parlor.

 I was looking out the window in the lobby, and noticed a BMW motorcycle pull up to the curb.  While I was traveling solo on this trip, my husband rides an RT1150, so I notice these type of bikes.  The fact that the rider was drop dead gorgeous didn’t hurt, either. Inn Owner Mary Knoerdel and I were chatting with the motorcycle rider over a glass of Anderson Valley wine that evening in the parlor.  Turns out the fellow had booked a room at the Inn with his girlfriend, but was now traveling alone.  He had rented a motorcycle in San Francisco and shared with us that he was looking forward to riding the Highway One coastal route on his own.  While I can’t speak for his ex-girlfriend, I know my husband prefers to ride alone.  The scenic and curvy Mendocino coastal route is a great place to ride a motorcycle. After a long day of riding, our new friend was also looking forward to a beer or two at the North Coast Brewing Company, steps away from the Inn.

Bamboo Garden Spa

I was looking forward to the free internet access and the dinner that I was about to enjoy at the Rendezvous Restaurant.  Located within easy walking distance of the Atrium, Kim Badenhop’s award winning Zagat restaurant is a must-try for food lovers.

Atrium Reservations: (800) 287-8392

Located at 700 North Main Street, Fort Bragg

Room rates start at $95 – $150 for a king bed with fireplace.

Pet fee: $25 in one of three pet-friendly rooms

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Romantic Little River Inn

If you are looking to escape the bright lights and traffic of the city, a roadtrip to Little River Inn on the Mendocino, California coast might be just the ticket.  What began as a family home, built in the 1850’s, is now the romantic Little River Inn. Still family owned, Ole Hervilla and his wife Cora Coombs opened the Little River Inn in 1939. Their children and their families continue to run the 66 room hillside property.

The Inn boasts a nine hole golf course, tennis courts, a spa, gift shop, restaurant & bar on the property, as well as being pet friendly and offering complimentary internet access. I was fortunate to fit in a massage at the Third Court Salon and day spa during my stay. Earlier that morning I enjoyed a four hour horseback ride at Ricochet Ridge Ranch outside of Fort Bragg.  The therapist was quick to respond to my screaming muscles and gave me a wonderfully relaxing massage.

Ocean View Luxury Room

A visit during the off season is not only romantic, with an in-room fireplace, the rates are low and the surf is high. Ask for the crab rate week days, January 4-29, 2009. Stay in any room for $189 per night, including ocean view luxury rooms.  For a calendar listing of Mendocino county activities visit www.MendocinoFun.com.

Located at 7751 North Highway One

Reservations: 1 (888) 466-5683

Rates range from $130 to $365 for the Mallory Farmhouse. These rates are for high season (June-October & holiday periods.)

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

For the price of one night at a high-end hotel, two can dine at an excellent Fort Bragg restaurant and still have money left over for a cheap, clean motel room.  That’s right, I’m going to share my Mendocino coast, budget lodging secret with you.

Fort Bragg is Mendocino County’s answer to budget-friendly beauty and the Surf Motel and Gardens is my answer to budget-friendly lodging.  The Surf Motel is family-owned and operated, well located in the town of Fort Bragg, pet-friendly and minutes from wonderful beaches, affordable dining options and a great spa.  And did I mention that they offer free Wi-Fi?

Bamboo Garden Spa

I discovered the Surf back in the 1980’s when my husband and I had little to spend on lodging and were anxious to make our travel dollars spread as far as possible.  Located up the coast, ten miles from the village of Mendocino, we looked to the AAA approved motel for winter package deals.  Now that we have a little more money in the bank, we like to splurge on dinner out and maybe a spa treatment at Bamboo Garden Spa.

Locals will tell you to dine at Kim Badenhop’s Rendezvous Inn and Restaurant.  While I haven’t stayed at the Inn, the Zagat-rated restaurant receives a big thumbs-up from me.  Housed in a historic residence built in 1897, Badenhop’s restaurant offers country-French cuisine and a hand-selected wine list.  If pizza and beer are more in your price range, stop at Piaci Pub and Pizzeria for awesome Italian thin-crust pizza.

TIP: If you ride a motorcycle, the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) can’t be beat for banked curves, redwood forests and ocean views.  Fort Bragg’s Surf Motel offers a safe haven for your motorcycle at night.

Reservations: (800) 339-5361

Rates vary from $49 – $250 for a 2-room Suite (sleeps 6)

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Forget waiting for the government’s bailout package to appear, Mendocino, California’s MacCallum House Inn is the place to turn for financial relief.  From October 30 until February 1, 2009, guests of the MacCallum House will receive 50 percent off their reservations for a two night minimum stay. If that’s not enough to get you heading to the Mendocino coast, the MacCallum House will have a bottle of local wine waiting for you in the room.  All good deals must come to a close.  The MacCallum House bailout will expire on November 7, 2008 and reservations must be made online.

Horseback Riding in Mendocino County

I visited the MacCallum house in August for a little me time.  Both of my children were at camp and my husband couldn’t get away from work.  I was giddy with anticipation for this trip.  Upon my arrival I noticed several women dressed in riding boots and pants.  My curiosity got the best of me, and I asked the ladies if they had been horseback riding earlier.  Turns out, the MacCallum House offers a riding package with Ricochet Ridge Ranch, two miles north of Fort Bragg.  The quality of the horses and the scenery are both outstanding.

Lodging Options

Gwen MacCallum Room 1

The Gwen MacCallum room was located on the second floor of the Main House. Considered to be one of the most romantic rooms in the house, the solid mahogany queen sleigh bed with its down comforter suited me perfectly.  What captured my eye when I entered the room was the claw foot bathtub.  Imagine a bubble bath with no interruptions?  Pure heaven.

In addition to six rooms in the main house and seven cottages on the property, there are six rooms in the adjacent Barn.  All but the rooms in the main house are pet friendly. 

Food, glorious, food

That evening I dined at the MacCallum House Restaurant.  I was seated to the right of the fireplace and enjoyed a lovely Comanche Creek Heirloom tomato “BLT” salad with house made mozzarella, applewood smoked bacon, butter lettuce, Stella Cadente olive oil and balsamic drizzled over herbed croutons.  Next up, pan roasted halibut in a tomato beuree blanc sauce with roasted fingerling potatoes and a broccoli puree.  I finished the meal with a raspberry mascarpone cheesecake souffle with a mini pot of chocolate sauce served on the side. Don’t forget, breakfast is included with your stay.  Weight Watchers, here I come.

Room rates: $175-$425

Reservations  (800) 609-0492