INVITE YOUR BELOVED TO STEP INTO THE PAGES OF A STORYBOOK OF YOUR CHOOSING AS YOU UNPACK THE GRANDEUR OF MENDOCINO COUNTY TOGETHER. 82 South Bay Accent ALISON DE GRASSI Handle State Reserve Pygmy forest where full-grown ancient trees are just 3 or 4 feet tall. Five minutes away, you can jog along the Mendocino Headlands coastal trail to marvel at the jagged bluffs bordering Mendocino Village. For a therapeutic task, hunt for pieces of wave-pummeled colored glass at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. Wake up early before the tide comes in and photograph the sandstone spheres exposed on the receding shores on Bowling Ball Beach, part of nearby Schooner Gulch State Beach. Step into the park-like setting at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens where rhododendrons, heritage roses, perennials and succulents, plus 150 species of mushrooms will tantalize your gaze. And while in Fort Bragg, set aside an hour or four to take a refreshing ride on the famous Skunk Train. The 40-miles of track take you through pristine redwoods and over 30 train trestles. Tours depart daily. SIP AND SPA Need to completely decompress? Reconnect as a couple with spa services that celebrate nature. Follow a day of furtive foraging with a well-earned massage at the eco-friendly Stanford Inn Day, a steep in an outdoor redwood hot tub at the Sweetwater Inn and Spa or seaweed body scrub at small but well-appointed Little River Inn Salon and Spa. Dive into Mendocino County’s novel winery experiences, and you might be among the first to discover a new label or two. Along Highway 128, Anderson Valley is studded with over 30 wineries. Pinot Noir grapes thrive in the marine climate. Interested in a few insider tips? Check out veteran wine maker Jeff Hansen’s new tasting room for Lula Cellars, named after Grandma Lula. On the lush 22-acre estate, guests can sip and stroll around the pond and 14-acre Pinot Noir vineyard. At Phillips Hill, also in Anderson Valley, sample vintages inside an apple-drying barn. Challenge your palate with a host of Anderson Valley wines at The Madrones in Philo, a Tuscany-style pavilion complete with wine room, rose garden and bocce ball court. Head to Boonville to try a few flights of rosé and nibbles of cheese at Penny Royal Farm, a solar-powered 23-acre grapes and fromage operation that offers tours to visitors. Inch further north to Pacific Star winery, and perch yourself at a picnic table and tap into a glass of orange Muscat as you watch whales cavort on their migratory path. SHOPPING MENDO Longing to bring a piece of this peaceful place home with you? Be sure to stop in the Gallery Bookstore & Bookwinkles Children’s Bookstore in Mendocino. This town treasure stocks all best sellers, fungi foraging guides and a fascinating lineup of tomes on the region. Art lovers will discover high quality originals in the Highlight Gallery, including one-of-a-kind wooden furnishings and whittled fine art from more than 200 local carvers. Those with an appreciation for artisan blown glass will marvel at the multicolored glass sea urchins and magical octopus-like chandeliers at nearby Glass Fire Gallery. Further south in Boonville, sophisticated paintings and sculptures fill the space at the John Hanes Fine Art Gallery, which represents more than 30 artists domestically and internationally. Mendo means many things to many people. For artists, it's the place for inspiration. For nature devotees, it’s synonymous with fresh air and raw beauty. And for all romantics, Mendocino is a fairytale wonderland of Rapunzel-reminiscent towers, enchanted forests and secluded sanctuaries where lovers find themselves on the road to happily ever after. n Explore the sandy cove of scenic Schooner Gulch State Beach
South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2017
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