Mendocino Weekend Itinerary: How To Spend The Perfect 3 Days

Looking for a relaxed weekend escape from the Bay Area? This 3-day Mendocino itinerary takes you from San Francisco up the Northern California coast for a cozy getaway filled with glamping, forest hikes, coastal views, and charming small-town stops

For my birthday, I wanted to do something a little special but still low-key and Mendocino was the perfect pick. It has that classic NorCal beach town vibe, incredible food, wine tasting, and beautiful places to stay right by the water. If this is what you’re looking for, you’re in the right place!

Below is everything you need to plan your perfect Mendocino weekend, including where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and what to pack.

This article uses affiliate links where I make a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

3-day Mendocino itinerary overview

Day 1: Scenic drive, check in, dinner

Day 2: Waterfalls, coastal hikes, farmers market and s’mores

Day 3: Fort Bragg, tide pooling, harbor seafood lunch

Day 1: Road trip to Mendocino

If you’re driving from the San Francisco Bay Area on a Thursday or Friday, it’s best to avoid the morning rush hour that peaks around 8am to 9am. To make the most of your day, I recommend leaving at 7:30am or earlier so that you can check out additional stops between San Francisco and Mendocino.

San Francisco to Mendocino road trip stops

How to get from San Francisco to Mendocino:

Option A: Highway 1 – Scenic route (4.5 to 5. hrs)

This is the iconic route that highlights the iconic California coast through a scenic drive on Highway 1 from San Francisco all the way to Mendocino.

If you’re able to start the day early, this is a great way to spend the time until you get to check into your accommodation in Mendocino. Here are some recommended stops between San Francisco and Mendocino along the coast.

• Tomales Bay: If you’re a fan of oysters, stop at Hog Island Oyster Farm – maybe a quick tray of raw oysters by the bay.
• Bodega Bay: A convenient bathroom stop and chance to stretch your legs with a short beach walk.
• Jenner: Best known for stunning views of the Pacific where the Russian River meets the sea.
• Salt Point State Park: A great place for a coastal walk.
• Point Arena Lighthouse: One of the tallest lighthouses on the west coast, and featured in the movie Need for Speed.
• Bowling Ball Beach (at low tide): Look out for the cool spherical rocks

Option B: Highway 101, 128, then 1 – Wine country route (3.5 to 4.5 hrs)

The best part about this route is that you still get to stop by vineyards and drive through scenic redwood forests on your way to Mendocino. It’s perfect for a romantic getaway from the Bay Area.

We took this route and thought it was perfect for a quick trip. Here are some recommended stops.

• Anderson Valley: Grab a bite at Boonville General Store and do a tasting at Navarro Vineyards ($10 tastings with chill atmosphere).
• Hendy Woods State Park: Stop here for a quick walk among towering redwoods. It’s a much quieter alternative to Muir Woods.
• Philo: More wineries and cider tastings like Gowan’s Cider. Great fall stop if you’re visiting during apple season.
• Navarro River Redwoods State Park: You’ll drive through a magical stretch of redwoods just before hitting the coast. It’s beautiful and doesn’t require a detour.

Check in to glamping at Mendocino Grove

We stayed at Mendocino Grove which offers luxury safari-style tents just 5 minutes from downtown. When we arrived for check-in at 4pm, the process was fuss-free and quick. We were briefed about the main bathroom locations are ways to contact the team if we needed anything.

Our stay came with a “Camp Box” of cooking equipment and firewood, which were waiting for us a the glamping site when we arrived. The tents have cozy linens, heated blankets, and real beds – so no sleeping bags were needed.

Since we were a little tired from the drive, we explored the property, and found a gas firepit to relax at and stay warm while enjoying the ocean breeze. If you’ve always wanted to go glamping, Mendocino Grove is a great place to experience luxurious camping that’s actually easy.

Book your glamping stay at Mendocino Grove

Dinner at Luna Trattoria

For my birthday dinner, we wanted somewhere nice but not too formal. Luna Trattoria checked all the boxes for being cozy, casual, and delicious.

The vongole was packed with clams, and Merrick loved the seafood cioppino that came in a generous portion.

Other dinner options in downtown Mendocino:

• Cafe Beaujolais (elevated farm-to-table French cuisine)
• Trillium Cafe (casual fine dining with garden seating)
• Fog Eater Cafe (plant-based Southern style comfort food)

Day 2: Hiking, exploring downtown, and campfire dinner

There’s so much you can do to in a full day in Mendocino. We chose to hike in the morning, have a chill downtown in the afternoon, and then enjoy cooking at camp along with campfire s’mores.

Breakfast at Goodlife Bakery and Cafe

We started early with breakfast at Goodlife Cafe, a local favorite. It gets crowded on weekends and in summer, so arriving around 8:30am helped us beat the crowd. We got an almond croissant, quiche, and coffee.

Hike Fern Canyon to the Waterfall (Russian Gulch State park)

• Distance: 5.5 miles round trip
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Trail map: click here for AllTrails map and download offline maps before you go (cell service can be spotty)

One of the best things about Mendocino is that you get to see both the coast and the lush forest – talk about the best of both worlds! Our hikes for the day will be in Russian Gulch State Park.

The Fern Canyon trail to the waterfall is a must-do hike in Mendocino if you like relaxing forest walks. It’s a moderate trail that takes you along the babbling creek to a 36-foot waterfall.

You could either turn back at the waterfall, or complete the loop trail through the forest. We wanted to make time to walk along the coast too, so we just returned the way we came.

Note: Don’t confuse this with the Fern Canyon Trail in Prairie Creek Redwood State Park -that’s much further north (another 4 hours).

Explore the Headlands Trail to Devil’s Punchbowl

• Distance: ~1 mile round trip
• Duration: 20 to 30 minutes
• Trail map: click here for AllTrails map

Another spot that’s worth checking out in Russian Gulch State Park is the Devil’s Punchbowl. Start at the Headlands Trail along the picnic area to spot the famous bridge over the beach.

After that walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl, a collapsed sea cave. It’s an easy trail to follow, just make sure to stay off the edges of the cliff.

Mendocino Farmers Market (Fridays only)

If you’re visiting on Friday, make sure to check out the Farmers Market in downtown Mendocino. It runs from 12pm to 2pm between May to November, and this market has produce, flowers, and baked goods. We picked up eggplant, tomatoes, and plums here in preparation for our camp dinner.

Lunch at Trillium Cafe and coffee at Wingspan

We scored a garden seat at Trillium Cafe and loved the prawn sandwich. Here are more lunch options:

• The Brickery (sourdough pizza)
• Fog Eater Cafe

After lunch, we walked over to Wingspan Coffee Bar, a minimalist espresso spot with outdoor seating.

Afternoon shopping in downtown Mendocino

While you’re still in the area, you could also check out some of the charming shops, galleries, and bookstores.

I enjoy checking out indie bookstores, and the Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkles was the perfect post-lunch stop. If you want to learn more about the Mendocino history, make sure to drop by the Kelley House Museum. Since we wanted to cook dinner at camp, we went to Harvest Market to get steak for grilling.

We also wanted to check out the Village Toy Store and walk the Mendocino Headlands but got tired, so we went back to camp to relax.

Dinner and s’mores at camp

We arrived back in Mendocino Grove and decided to read in the shared hangout area. Before we started cooking dinner, we also used the redwood outdoor showers so we wouldn’t have to wait for our turn later at night.

There was a gas barbecue grill that we could use near our glamping site, and cooking at camp has never been easier. The rib-eye steak we got from Harvest Market was amazing, and it required nothing more than just salt and pepper. Our meal was made complete by the fresh vegetables we got from the Farmer’s Market.

As we were about to finish dinner, we requested the campfire valet service because we didn’t bring any lighters to do it ourselves. We also got a s’mores kit from the camp store earlier, so we made campfire s’mores for dessert.

Other accommodations also provide excellent dinner options, such as in SCP Mendocino Inn where their meals are sustainability and wellness-focused. You could also splurge at the Michelin-starred Harbor House Inn for an unforgettable oceanfront dining experience.

Day 3: Visit Fort Bragg and head back

On Day 3, we’ll check out Fort Bragg, specifically MacKerricher State Park and Noyo Harbor. They are only a 15-minute drive from Mendocino, a minor detour before heading back south.

Breakfast at the accommodation

We had light breakfast provided by Mendocino Grove which included oatmeal, banana bread, hard boiled eggs and coffee. It was nice to have a campfire going in the outdoor seating area while the morning was still warming up.

Big River morning walk (if you have time)

If you wake up early enough on Day 3, go for a morning walk at Big River Beach before checking out. You’ll also pass by it on your drive north towards downtown Mendocino.

Explore Glass Beach and tide pools in MacKerricher State Park

Most people know Glass Beach to be full of colorful glass pebbles. However, it’s not what it once was as most of the glass has been picked (which is not allowed). When we were there, we only found small grain-sized glass pieces. Hence in my opinion, I don’t think you should come here just to see the Glass Beach.

However, it turns out that this part of MacKerricher State Park is excellent for tide pooling. We saw 2 starfish near the shore that day without needing to venture far. Now I feel better about not seeing them on my tide pooling attempts in Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz.

Make sure to time your visit during low tide if you want to have the best chances of spotting marine creatures in the tide pools. It also helps to wear shoes with good grip to help you walk across the wet rocks.

Lastly and most importantly, don’t turn your back against the waves, especially if the tide is coming back in.

Lunch at Noyo Harbor

To complete your visit, head to Noyo Harbor which is actually an active fishing port where the seafood goes straight from boat to table. It’s known to receive hauls of Dungeness crab, salmon, and rock cod on a daily basis.

We splurged on my birthday weekend lunch at Princess Seafood Restaurant, and enjoyed some raw oysters, lobster bisque, tuna poke, and a crab roll. This restaurant overlooks the harbor and the boats coming and I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.

More casual lunch options nearby:

• Sea Pal Cove (local favarite with harbor views)
• Noyo Fish Company (walk-up seafood shack)

Try the Skunk Train or Railbike tour (if you have time)

These are two of Fort Bragg’s most iconic attractions aside from the coastline. Both are family-friendly and run year-round, but advance booking is recommended.

Skunk Train

The most popular route is the Pudding Creek Express, a 7-mile round trip from Fort Bragg and goes through redwoods and wooden trestles.

You’ll stop at Glen Blair Junction for 30–40 minutes, where you can walk forest trails or grab a drink/snack at the outdoor bar area (seasonal). The entire experience lasts for about 1.5 hours and tickets start at around $50 per person.

Book your Skunk Train ticket here

Railbike

If you’re looking for something a little more interactive and unique, try the Railbike experience. These pedal-powered bikes with electric assisted ride along the same tracks, with a more hands-on way to explore the redwoods. It’s especially fun for couples or small groups, and costs start at $250 per railbike.

Book your Railbike experience here

What to pack for Mendocino

• Warm layers (Yes, even in summer. Coastal fog and wind means a light insulated jacket is useful year-round)
• Flashlight or headlamp (Helpful for walking around camp after dark and finding bathrooms at night)
• Bug spray or lotion
• Reusable water bottle
• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes (Especially important for Russian Gulch and tide pooling)
• Camp cooking supplies (if needed)
• Portable charger (especially for hiking as you need it for navigation)

Recap of our 3-day Mendocino itinerary

I’ve created a custom Google Maps with each day’s route so that you can refer back to this itinerary easily. Click on the image below to access the map.

Conclusion

Mendocino is the kind of place that encourages you to slow down and enjoy simple pleasures, and hopefully this 3-day itinerary inspires you to spend a weekend here. You can go on morning walks on the headlands, read by the fire, and have long conversations over local wine.

If you have more time to spend in Northern California, check out Lassen Volcanic National Park or Redwood National Park. To experience more of wine country, make sure to check out Napa Valley too.

Mendocino also reminds me a lot of the Big Sur area, and the atmosphere in the downtown area felt very similar to Carmel-by-the-Sea. You can check out more California beach towns here too.