I must be honest that left to my own accord I would not have spent a weekend in Ukiah. But my…read morebrother wanted to visit the City of 10,000 Buddhas and invited the girlfriend & I to come along. I thought okay then let's do this trip before Ukiah got any hotter. It was in the early 90's when we got into town and I wasn't happy. We were told the temps would cool down considerably after 7 or so. Well, i was suspicious at best, but sure enough, the winds kicked in from somewhere & although it was still sunny the temperature became tolerable to the point that i didn't even need to run the A/C when we went to bed. Town Folks are friendly. The local Costco is the quietest & least busy of any costcos I've ever been to in many states. I was disappointed, however, that gas prices was almost 30 cents higher than my local Costco in Sunnyvale.

I heart Ukiah. I can't really speak about the living conditions since I live about 2 hours away…read more However, I really enjoy my visits here. I guess the fact that I live and work in fairly big cities is what makes me appreciate small cities and towns a bit more. Ukiah is kind of an escape for me. When I come to this town, it's usually to relax and to indulge in wine and nature: Two of my favorite things. When people think of Mendocino Wine Country, they don't often think of Ukiah. But, there are some great wineries right on the edge of the city that are putting Redwood Valley on the map. Testa and Barra are two wonderful wineries to visit if you're in the area. Aside from wine, the food scene is pretty legit out here too. One of the best burgers that I've ever had was at Ukiah Brewing, right in the heart of the city. Delicious brews, great burgers, and great food all around. Patrona is also another restaurant that I've come to really enjoy in Ukiah. If you're into gambling, the Coyote Valley Casino is just a hop and a skip away. What I also really love about Ukiah is its' endless naturalistic beauty. This city is filled with so many stunning rolling hills and scenic windy roads. There are also some great parks and other attractions here such as the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Orr Hot Springs Resort, Lake Mendocino, and the Grace Hudson Museum. One of my favorite attractions here is the Montgomery Woods State Reserve. If your a fan of Old Growth Redwoods, I would highly recommend a visit. The Redwoods in this reserve are incredibly gorgeous and will have you second guessing whether you're still in Ukiah. Whenever I'm planning an overnight trip to the Anderson Valley, I usually stay the night in Ukiah. It's a little further away, but generally cheaper and more convenient since there's more available. As I mentioned before, I can't really say too much about "living here" because I don't. Maybe it is as bad as the other reviews say, but visiting here ain't so bad. As a matter of fact, I've grown to really enjoy it.

If you have never gone on one of these events, add it to your bucket list…read more You start off on this little beach hidden off of Hwy 1 just as you are heading into Gualala. As you drive up, the smell of bbq is wafting through the summer air. On the evening that we went, we had the choice between Steak or Lobster. We had the lobster...yummy. Afterwards, we loaded into our kayaks and slowly made our way down the Gualala River (I think that's the river), until we ended up at the ocean...all under a huge bright full moon.

I love Hallberg Butterfly Gardens (see previous review). But while they get five stars for concept…read moreand purpose - butterfly conservation and education - they get one star in execution. In all the times I've been here - and it's many over the years - I have never seen a single employee on the property. There is no one available to answer questions, tell you about butterflies, or even discuss events. We signed up for an event today, and there was not a single person on the property. We wandered around for an hour and found NO ONE. Oddly enough, you can't get in touch with them via phone, either, because no one ever answers. Try for yourself and see. There's no outgoing info when you call, and you cannot leave a message. Amazingly, there aren't even posters displaying the different types of butterflies you might see, or how to identify them. Given that this place focuses on butterfly education, you would think they would offer some education...? Moreover, the place is falling apart - it's run down with poor signage. There's also a massive amount of disorganization: we signed up for one event on 7/2, and got confirmation for an event that already happened weeks ago. There was no info contained in the email beyond the gate code and the time to show up. We didn't know if someone would be leading the event or if we would be meeting people there. (Answer: no and no.) Hiring a part-time assistant to organize public events that attract people here would be a worthwhile investment, one would think...? I am ALL about natural spaces and supporting science education, and have always supposed the Gardens -- but if this place wants to make money and keep fans, they need to prioritize, even minimally, the people and events that support their existence.

What a local gem! I…read moregrew up in Sonoma County and I was just about today years old when I discovered this spot. Louise Hallberg was the original matriarch who created this property and lived to be over 100! In her 60's she began to cultivate and grow this beautiful space. It's truly a labor of love that is still preserved today. Donation based, you can schedule a self guided tour to view the gardens. We scheduled online and brought a picnic which was a wonderful idea and perfectly lovely afternoon in the meadow. We didn't see a lot of butterflies but that's ok. The property is lovingly tended by many volunteers. Truly a hidden gem in West County.

TTHE BEST small town fair! Not to be missed! Complete with parade on Sunday, and the Sheep Dog…read moretrails, plus local vendors and 4H judging. Lots of rides for the kids.

I was in the area, totally by accident, at the time of the Fair. With my favorite short person in…read moretow, getting conned into going was a forgone conclusion. Let me qualify by saying that I don't really care for rides, crowds or paying twice as much for ho-hum food eaten standing. So I was not expecting to enjoy myself. Boy, was I wrong! Some highlights: -Science tent for kids -Very gentle shaded petting zoo tent (I think I enjoyed it more than the kid.) -Very good live music in a wooded glen area with plenty of seating -Sweet local parade -Extra long slide -Pony rides -Extensive agricultural display (the sheep and goats were particularly fun) -Anderson Valley Beer We packed a picnic to enjoy by the river later, but I almost regretted that. The food smelled quite good. I still wasn't crazy for the rides or games. But, hey, it's a fair.

Not a big place, but a good jumping off spot to explore this part of the coast. Two grocery stores,…read moreample places to eat and sleep. Most of the motels have ocean view, and there is a short walking path along the bluff looking out across the river to the ocean. The regional park, a short drive, was a great beach walk. This is off the beaten path for Bay Area crowds, just north of Sea Ranch Plantation, with a reasonable range of places to stay and eat. Most of your exploring from here will be by car, but that was fine with us.

It's a very pretty town to pass through. I have passed through this town hundreds of times in my 60…read moreyears of life. However, this is the first time I have stayed in the area. First off I want to say restaurants are limited. I found one restaurant that had outdoor seating, aside from the one that had 'to go' shrimp burritos... There is a beautiful beach you see as you're passing through town, but there is literally no access to that beach (aside from a trail that runs several miles from Sea Ranch). I was shocked. Had to drive to anchor Bay to have access to a walk on beach. There was one beach at exit 5726. That allows you to pull off with signs, and then you get halfway down the trail and it tells you it's been closed since January 2026 due to erosion. There is one other beach, but there are numerous staircases to navigate. So you don't want to go there if you have elderly family members or pets. I was just really surprised, there are no places to walk, check out, or shop, it's just not your average Mendocino town. All things considered it's very pretty to pass through, but I wouldn't advise making a stop for any kind of beach or restaurant experience. Definitely not for the lodging experience. There's a very heavily crowded campground in anchor Bay, which is the only walk on beach in the area for 30 miles, the gal told me. I suppose if you wanted to snug in there neck to neck with all the other RVs and campers to get that itty-bitty beach then si be it. Not impressed. For ample space and drive up to walk out on beaches, go a little further. Mendocino county is full of amazing places to explore. As soon as you get to Albion, you find beach after beach, that doesn't take navigating multiple stairs or walking through crazy campgrounds to see the ocean. You have access to beaches all the way from Van Damme down to Cleone in Mendocino and everything in between. This little town of gualala is pretty too pass through, but that's about it.

One of NorCals best kept secrets is the quaint town of Point Arena, home of Arena Cove! The…read moreabsolute most picturesque, gentle, calm and natural water views you'll ever see! Arena Cove is home to a pizza parlor and coffee shop as well as a fishing pier and if you come at low tide, the most amazing tide pools with fish, sea urchin, sea star fish, crab and countless water plants. Beautiful hiking on the shoreline and the best sunsets! I love visiting when I need a time out from the hustle and bustle of life; a quick trip is always humbling and helps me to refocus on the finer things in life... like nature!!!

I hate it when people Yelp landmarks instead of businesses. Just a personal pet peeve of mine…read more There's an exception to every rule, and I happen to be exceptional, so based on three exceptions to the rule I believe a review of Point Arena Cove is worthy of Yelp. First, this is an obscure little town and it needs Yelp reviews to encourage people to stop and experience all it has to offer. Second, this cove is not visible from Hwy 1 so you might drive right past it. Third, there are hours associated with the pier (open for boat launches from 7am to 4pm), so it's like a business. I'm not an expert on coves, but I've seen quite a few in my day. I think I'm a pretty good judge of cove character. La Jolla Cove, in San Diego was my favorite. Until I visited Point Arena Cove. There is so much going on here. I visited on a Saturday morning and ended up having great conversations with the very warm locals. A few showed me the abalone they had just hauled in (the Fish Police were right there to make sure every one was legal) and another showed me pictures of an albatross that visits the cove (very rare!) surfing with surfers. There are dogs galore (please leash them on the pier) and nice owners to go with them. This is a working cove, but people also go to talk and drink coffee. The cove is the best place to capture the local flavor of Point Arena. You absolutely must visit it.

I love Fort Bragg. I've been coming here for years. I try to get to town 2-3 times a year. It's my…read morego to spot for relaxation, chillaxing, walking, exploring, hiking, photography and to hang out with my dogs. Over the last two years I've made friends with some of the locals, too. I see them at the dog park, another fun place near a beautiful aquatic center. There is something for everyone here: food, ice cream, chocolate, activities, shopping, exploring the harbor, beaches, restaurants, a movie theater, souvenirs, train or rail bikes; some of the rail bikes have dog kennels so your pup can go with you. Lots of local events at various times of the year. I look forward to going again in the fall or winter.

In my experience, people checking city reviews are potential tourists or residents, so I have a…read morereview for each. As a tourist destination, it's a sleepy little getaway ideal for families. Couples and groups of friends not expecting a roaring nightlife will like it as well. Of the natural popular points of interest, I wasn't too excited about the botanical gardens (Plants!), Fort Bragg Coastal Trail (Water!), Pomo Bluffs Park (Cliffs!), Jackson State Park (Trees!), Noyo Beach (Driftwood!), Belinda Point Trail (Mud!), Otis Johnson Park (Stairs!), Noyo Headlands Park (Rocks!), MacKerricher State Park (Sand!), Seaside Beach (Rocks AND Sand!), but Pudding Creek Beach, which is directly under a tall picturesque bridge is cool. Russian Gulch State Park (nine miles south) features the Sinking Hole and another beach under a bridge that is even taller and picturesquer. The biggest draw, of course, was Glass Beach (see separate review), which brought us four hours from San Jose. However, I suspect that people unwilling to hike down some small but precarious cliffs to less-travelled coves will likely be unimpressed by the treasure hunting. Fort Bragg has a main strip/downtown area with some cool things to see, buy, and eat. FOOD: Fair amount of independent options. We enjoyed Cowlick's (separate review), which has lines of people waiting for nationally recognized homemade ice cream. Egghead's and Laurel's Deli (with a huge locomotive) are popular for breakfast, though we ate with the locals at David's Deli (separate review) down the road where 1 and 20 meet. The Bakery has "special" baked goods that will get you baked. DRINK: We grabbed a drink at Welcome Inn (separate review), next to Golden West Saloon, both of which are unpretentious bars with pool and shuffleboard. Stop by Golden West for the Fort Bragg postcard photo op. Elsewhere, Pacific Star Winery and North Coast Brewing are well-reviewed. MUSEUMS: the Sea Glass Museum (separate review) has the largest display of sea glass in the world. Triangle Tattoo Museum, Mendocino Coast Model Railroad Museum, and the Guest House Museum (displaying a historically-dated cross-section of redwood outside) are downtown as well. Elsewhere, Noyo Center for Marine Science has an orca skeleton and interactive topographic sandbox. ACTIVITIES: Skunk Train looks fun, offering rides by rail bike or train, but it was too overpriced for me (I think the prices for Skunk stink). The kids might enjoy Wiggly Giggly Playground outside the Ft. Bragg Library. Elsewhere, you can ride a horse at Ricochet Ridge, kayak past seals and sea otters (like Liquid Fusion is one vendor) or catch an early movie at the independent Coast Cinema. SHOPPING: Lots of shops. We enjoyed Lost Surf Shop (separate review), where Shasta will give you a high five if you rub her belly. Just make sure her husband doesn't see. (Just kidding, Shasta is a dog). As a resident, it doesn't appear to be overcrowded or disruptive despite being a tourist destination. The city's history is linked to military, fishing, lumber and the displaced Pomo tribe. Mild weather and uniquely cool summers. Not incredibly diverse (75% white) and most people vote blue. Property theft rates are double state average, violent crime is 33% higher. Thanks, Obama. (I kid). The seclusion can be good or bad. The 101 at Willits is 35 miles of elevated, winding roads that can take you to Santa Rosa (2.2 hr) or San Francisco (3.3 hr). The I-5 at Williams (2.7 hr) can get you to Sacramento (3.7 hr). Seems like a nice place to live, especially along the rocky coast, which reminds me of the black-and-white emo version of Big Sur.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world."…read more I don't trust PG&E, the world's largest utility. Ever since that neighborhood in San Bruno imploded in 2010 I've been leery. Thankfully, I'm not the first person who's felt this way. Back in the late '50s/early '60s PG&E began erecting a nuclear power plant right beside the ocean on Bodega Head in the town of Bodega Bay. The site sat directly atop the San Andreas fault (that worked so well in Fukushima...) near environmentally sensitive dairy farms and ranches. PG&E got as far as drilling a hole in Bodega Head; a hole 142 feet across and 120 feet in depth. A hole sizable enough to drop a 10-story building into if one desired though the actual plans for that hole were to contain the biggest boiling water nuclear reactor ever. And then the opposition began. A small group of thoughtful, committed citizens banded together to fight it. Their opposition ran on for five+ years and represented an early step in the environmental movement. After years of loud and ongoing opposition as PG&E pressed on for their "Atomic Park" (sic), the PUC in 1963 rejected PG&E's request. The hole was left to fill naturally and has now become a freshwater "pond" for birds and wildlife. PG&E eventually sold the entire 225-acre site to the state park district for $1 and abandoned their scary plans for the site. Hole in the Head is, today, most easily viewed from the parking lot at Campbell Cove. There you'll see a little walkway and signage which will take you to a viewing area looking out on the large water feature. Signage on the Bodega Head trail will also alert you to Hole in the Head which can be seen far below that trail. Without historical knowledge there's nothing either interesting or exciting about this body of water. Only when you know its history however, and realize that California's Environmental Quality Act and California's Coastal Commission were borne out of the fight against PG&E's plans do you begin to respect it as you should. * That opening quote is attributable to cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead. * Read more about the hole here: http://sonomacountyhomesforsaleonline.com/bodega-bay/hole-in-the-head-bodega-bay-ca/ and http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/2296499-181/battle-over-bodega-head-nuclear * Truth be told, I've not been a fan of PG&E since far before the San Bruno incident. * Oh no she didn't... oh yes she did. I just reviewed a hole in the ground.

Mendocino is one of our favorite places to escape to for a long weekend! It's a charming coastal…read moretown and the perfect place to get away from all the hustle and bustle of life. If you are looking for relaxation, to unwind, and to melt away away all of your stress, this is a great place for you. The downtown area is very walkable to shops, restaurants, etc. It's fun to have a meal, check out the shops, and I love that all of the downtown area is in walking distance to the coast. Some of the restaurants have stunning coastal views. The restaurants have fresh food and their seafood is amazing! There are lots of outdoor activities and hiking trails. We love hiking here! It's great for going kayaking or canoeing as well. You can explore the hidden coves and soak in the breathtaking coastal views. You can also have a picnic on the coast and enjoy the beautiful sunsets on the Mendocino coast. We always stop at the Botanical Gardens when visiting the area because we love walking through their beautiful gardens. We also love that this place and so many others in Mendocino are dog-friendly!

Mendocino is such a charming little town that I make a point to visit every year. It's the perfect…read moreNorthern California getaway, with its quaint boutique shops supporting local small businesses, as well as beautiful scenic views and great hikes. Whether you're exploring the coastline or walking through the town, there's always something lovely to see. One of the highlights of my trips is definitely trying the foraged foods -- Mendocino is known for its fresh foraged mushrooms, and they're a must-try if you're a fan of unique, local flavors. Overall, it's a peaceful, picturesque destination that I highly recommend!