I would highly recommend Stevenswood Resort Spa in Little River CA, just 2 miles south of scenic, picturesque Mendocino. Formerly a lodge, the owners have turned it into a getaway destination in itself. Original artwork is everywhere…much of it wine-themed (appropriate due to the area’s reputation as an up-and-coming wine region). Cork floors are in the rooms and throughout the resort, making for a quiet (almost “cushioned”) walk. The rooms are tastefully decorated with fireplaces and lots of light. I’ve never had the occasion to sleep on a Tempurpedic mattress before…but after sleeping on one at Stevenswood, I can’t stop thinking about getting one. If you need more than what a great mattress can do for you, spa facilities are available right there. Eating at the restaurant there doesn’t mean you’ve had to settle in the name of convenience. Rather, their restaurant is a 5 star (literally!). The dusted salmon is an entree worth driving from The Bay Area to order. The wine list showcases some of the region’s best wines. Don’t hesitate to ask Michael for a recommendation (e.g. Esterlina Estate Pinot Noir…very affordaby priced, too). The surroundings are serene and peaceful….yet not “too serious,” thanks to the colorful ceramic mushrooms scattered around the grounds (they will give you a basket and you can “harvest” some to take home). And in case you’re thinking about how great a getaway like this would be, but you don’t want to leave that special member of the family behind (your dog or cat)…pets are welcome. We plan on returning to Stevenswood soon!  Jun 21, 2006  Travel_Aficionado, San Francisco

We needed a place to get away and spend some time relaxing with our dogs.
A place that would be quiet and remote, but not isolated.
We chose Stevenswood because they take dogs and have a huge property for them to run and play.
The staff is extremely attentive. From the moment we arrived till checkout they provided us with everything we needed, including complimentary wine and a doggie welcome tray (including italian bottled water for the dogs) on arrival.
Room was quiet, spacious, and comfortable, with a view of the ocean and the garden full of birds, chipmonks and bunnies, which the staff feed twice a day. One of our dogs sat in the window and watched the wildlife with her tail wagging for several hours.
Food in the restaurant was well above our expectations, both Breakfast and Dinner.

We were only able to stay one night, but by the time it came to checkout, we were wishing it could have been a week.  Jun 21, 2006  Point Richmond, CA

Clean, comfortable, and a beautiful location make Stevenswood a great introduction to Mendocino. The restaurant is excellent and the beds are incredible. We enjoyed a view of the ocean from our room as well as from the outdoor garden. Staff is friendly and most welcoming, but not all up-in-your-business. Explore the headlands and ocean cliffs in a 10 minute hike across Hwy 1. All we needed (and more) was provided. Make sure to check out their last minute getaway bargain deals. Stevenswood is definitely worth the trip.  Jun 10, 2006  Oakland, CA

We chose this place from the internet. The photo’s on the site make it look a little bit nicer than it is. The current owners have only had it 1 1/2years and they need to do some staining on the outside and powerwashing of the decks, but the gardens and birds are wonderful. My husband thought the outside looked rustic and and just fine. Inside the place is very relaxing. The rooms are spacious each with a fireplace (we didn’t use) and lots of windows to enjoy the lovely views. You don’t need to spend extra for the ocean view, the gardens and woods are just as nice. We stayed on the second floor and they have an area with the internet and couches to sit and read. The room was clean and they provided the usual spa things, by Hermes. The best part is the food. The dinner was superb as was the breakfast. The dinning room is so peaceful and attractive. The owner was very friendly and they have wonderful art everywhere, that they sell. We really enjoyed our stay and think you will too. Medocino is cute, a bit touristy but since we have travelled further up the coast it is looking a lot better. The scenery along Hwy1 is outstanding,but gone are the cute little towns.  Jun 6, 2006  sherlou, Ann Arbor, Michigan

We thoroughly enjoyed three days at Stevenswood. The setting is lovely: wooded, quiet, a state park is a short walk out the back door and the headlands and ocean are a short walk out the front door. The accomodations were comfortable and spacious. We particularly enjoyed the fireplace during the cool morning hours. The staff was friendly and very helpful; no request posed a problem for them. The room staff was efficient and invisible. And the kitchen staff was superb. Breakfasts were great and dinner was even better. The kitchen prepared a wonderful picnic lunch for us to take up the coast on a sight-seeing drive. It was diffficult to leave such a relaxing accomodation.  May 29, 2006  Baltimore, MD

My husband and I were so excited to visit Mendocino and found the Stevenswood exactly what we were hoping for. The rooms are comfortable and large. The hotel is quaint, yet has all the amenities you need. The staff is friendly, kind, and happy to help. The hotel has cozy outdoor jacuzzis under the beautiful scenery with trees all around you. The food in the Stevenswood restaurant is amazing..each day I was delighted to have breakfast in the dining room, and we had a terrific dinner there as well. When we return to Mendocino, this is absolutely the place we will stay..it was wonderful and I truly recommend it!  May 7, 2006  Santa Clara

Staying at this hotel was wonderful and I definitly had a sensational experience. This is one hotel in which you must stay at. The rooms are very well designed and the staff made me feel as if i were royalty. The hot tub was very relaxing after a hard-day’s hiking. But above all was the breathtaking breakfast. I can honestly say that the breakfast served at Stevenswood was the best breakfast that I had ever tasted. The chef has amazing talent and I am very happy that I got to eat such a magnificent meal. I highly recommend this resort and spa. Apr 21, 2006  Bay Area

What a beautiful place to take a vacation, or to simply just get away for a few days. Stevenswood makes you feel like you are in paradise. This is an exquisite get away for those looking for something different combined with excellent accomodations and service. I highly recommend Stevenswood to anyone looking for the best of the best.   Apr 7, 2006  Laguna Beach, Ca

• Pacific Star Winery You are invited to this award winning winery for a complimentary wine tasting. Their wines are made entirely on their cliff side location 12 miles north of Fort Bragg; 30 min. from Mendocino. They also have picnic tables that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Open 11 - 4

 

• 8^th Annual Crab & Wine Days Through February Mendocino County’s Annual Crab & Wine Festival celebrates local Dungeness crab, our world class wines, includes crab cruises, crab tasting, wine makers dinners, crab and wine pairings at local wineries. Grab our guide at the welcome desk.

 

• Whale Watching. Trips daily with the Lady Irma offers personable whale watching trips with great viewing pleasure to make your experience with them unforgettable. The boat is fully certified by the United States Coast Guard. Fully licensed, professional, and experienced captain. Complete supply of safety equipment and life jackets. Clean restroom, heated cabin, quick access to the whales, less than 5 minutes away. Located at Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. 964-3854.

 

• 19^th Annual Carnaval de Mendocino The Mendocino Coast Jazz Society & Caspar Community Center presents this benefit featuring Annie Lee’s African Dancers, Flamenco Dance by Adela with accompanist Roberto Dale, Jazz Funk by Will Power, Afro Cuban Salsa by Mambo This! $15 admission. Doors open at 7 pm, music starts at 8 pm.

 

• Kingdom of the Fungi Mushroom Sat., Jan. 22, from 4 to 6 pm. A presentation by world renowned mushroom expert, Taylor Lockwood at the Russian Gulch Recreation Hall. $15 admission.

 

• State Park Mushroom Identification Walk Sun. Jan. 21, from 10 am to noon at Van Damme State Park with tour guide Rayne Snow. 937-0461.

 

• Mendocino Wine Company and Mendocino Hotel Sat., Jan. 20 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. $6 includes logo glass wine by the Mendocino Wine Company and crab cakes by the Mendocino Hotel. 937-6190.

 

• Wine Food & Fun Sat., Sun. Jan. 20 & 21, starting 11 am. FREE. Navarro Vineyards will be serving crab quiche in their tasting room. Navarro Vineyards, 5601 Hwy. 128, Philo. 895-3686.

 

• The Fantastic Four-Artist in Residence Exhibition Fri. Sat. Sun. Jan., 19, 20, 21. This exhibition features the work of Marci Easterbrook, Printmaking; Darrin Ekern, Ceramics; Kathy Rousso, Textiles; and Tara Turner, Jewelry. This exhibition will be held at Mendocino Art Center, Nichols Gallery 45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino.

 

• Caspar Inn

    Fri., Jan. 19  Amha Baraka       reggae        Starts 9:30 pm $10.00

      Sat., Jan. 20 Funk the Band  funk, rock,  Starts 9:30 pm. $7.00

      Sun. Jan. 21 Open Mic       Free                  Starts 9:30 pm.  

For an idyllic retreat on Northern California’s Mendocino Coast, Stevenswood Spa Resort rates accolades. Contemporary and secluded, this tranquil inn offers a gracious respite from the daily whirl. Nestled in a forest by the sea, the intimate lodge echoes the natural beauty of its rural setting in the tony town of Little River, just 2 minutes South of the Village of Mendocino, {link to 5th paragraph below}, on Cape Mendocino, California. At the resort, guests are pampered with comfort, privacy, and peace, and indulged in gracious service and superlative cuisine, which stands out anywhere but especially in such a natural and rural environment as Little River.

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