My boyfriend and I are local to San Francisco, we headed to the North Coast to enjoy a quiet getaway to beautiful Mendocino with another couple and their two year old son. The drive up the coast is absolutely gorgeous, but pales in comparison to the view from the house. You enter a quiet, secluded street into a short driveway to the house, slightly hidden away from the road. The view at the house is nothing short of dramatic. Massive floor to ceiling windows with a breathtaking view of the coastline, tastefully furnished with beautiful artifacts from a family home that has been loved and well cared for. It's an honor and a privilege to be invited in to this sanctuary. With the almost private cove to your left where the seals come in to play, to the sweeping coast all around you, it really is a cherished escape from busy city life. We spent much of our time enjoying a cup of tea by the fireplace, watching for blowholes as the whales migrated south, we must have seen 15 different whales across a two day time frame! The master bedroom upstairs is an oasis in and of itself, very spacious and comfortable with a huge bed and skylights, not to mention that panoramic view! The two rooms below are equally well appointed with tasteful, comfortable furniture. The heart of the home is the great space that opens up into the dining room, living room with cozy fireplace, and fully equipped kitchen, where we really spent all of our time lounging and soaking in the view. The owners clearly love and cherish this home and have done everything they can to make it an amazing experience for their guests. It's a easy walk into the main drag in Mendocino, where we grabbed sandwiches at the local deli, stopped for drinks at the adorable historic hotel, and grabbed some groceries for dinner at the local market. Morning and afternoon walks along the headlands are not to be missed! I loved that everything I wanted was in walking distance, but it was still just a short drive to nearby Fort Bragg where we could do a bit more exploring and enjoy a brewery tour and get fresh seafood from the harbor. It's a rare, special place, utterly unique in its location and design, definitely a special treat to make your holiday unforgettable.
