Seniors Converge On Mendocino

Mendocino County is located on the north coast of California, a couple of hours north of the San Francisco Bay Area and west of what is known as the Central Valley. The area is noted for its distinctive Pacific Ocean coastline, Redwood forests, wine production and its microbrews.

The County features some of the most renowned scenic drives in the world. The Pacific Coast Highway #1 runs all but a few miles of the length of the County’s coastline, connecting to San Francisco and beyond. Inland, U.S. Highway 101, also called the Redwood Highway, is a beautiful, historic journey through the lush vineyards of Sonoma and Mendocino County to Hopland, Ukiah and Willits.

The cliff top village of Mendocino is just south of Fort Bragg with a population of only 849 happy folks. Download a Visitors Guide and check out the festivals, special events, visitor packages and wines. For my wife and me, we would enjoy selecting one of the many B&Bs for a stay in Mendocino.

Mendocino Coast Draws Seniors

An artist colony has sprung up in the town of Mendocino and senior vacationers find it very attractive due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. There is a small downtown in Mendocino with a number of art shops and small restaurants. Mendocino loves to celebrate it’s rich culture of arts, food and wine.

It is the Mendocino Coast however, that rates #1 with senior visitors followed by the Mendocino Headlands State Park with its unique blend of gentle trails, rugged coastline, secluded beaches and timeless history. The park surrounds picturesque Mendocino on three sides. Miles of trails wind along the cliffs, giving the casual explorer spectacular views of sea arches and hidden grottos.

 The entire region is called America’s Greenest Wine Region. With some of the world’s finest wineries in their back yard and the awesome Pacific Ocean the front yard, Mendocino is securely perched on a cliff overlooking a river and the ocean. This is where the locals carry on their everyday lives amidst the delightful and enduring legacy of the 19th century.

 Wine, Seafood, Rodeos and Parades

Seniors will find it fun to celebrate the beauty and bounty of Mendocino County, from wine tastings and seafood celebrations to the oldest rodeo and kooky parades. Mendocino is one of only two towns in the state of California that is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

For more than a century, Mendocino water towers and accompanying windmills have captured the attention of visitors and writers alike. In 1892, one reporter observed during her stay, “an individuality about the water works of this town not found in any other place.”

 Plan to take in the notable, historic and recreational attraction called the “Skunk Train” that connects Fort Bragg with Willits via a steam-locomotive engine. So when you are up north in California along the coast, stop by and enjoy all the wonder of Mendocino County. jeb