MENDOCINO, CA – (October 10, 2023) – Locals know that Fall is the best season in Mendocino. The crowds have dispersed but the sunny days linger, with just a promise of nippy nights on the horizon. Apples are ripening, grapes are being harvested, Mendocino’s famous mushrooms are being anticipated, and there’s a hint of softness in the air that heralds cooler days to come.
There’s no better place to enjoy a Mendocino Fall experience than at the quintessential Mendocino inn – MacCallum House. Surrounded by lush gardens, this Victorian stunner is right in the heart of the delightfully quaint Village of Mendocino. Elegant rooms, which are divided among a historic 1880s mansion, cottages, suites, a converted barn, and a stand-alone home, retain all of their charm while boasting the most cutting-edge modern amenities. Most of the inn’s rooms have outdoor hot tubs, the better to enjoy the starry nights at this spectacular season and many rooms have cozy fireplaces to ward off the coming chill. Their award-winning restaurant – a destination in itself – is helmed by much lauded Executive Chef Alan Kantor.
Chef Kantor’s new Fall Menu launched on September 15, and highlights, as always, the most spectacular seasonal and local produce. Guests might start with a Trio of Artisanal Cheeses from Northern California farms served with Spiced Hazelnuts, Truffle Honey, and Sourdough; Porcini Gnocchi Bolognese Gratin with House Made Italian Sausage and Mozzarella; or Duck Confit Frisée Salad with Warm Sherry Vinaigrette, Poached Egg, and Sourdough Croutons. Delectable main courses include Liberty Farm Duck Breast with Fried Brussel Sprouts, Porcini Bread Pudding, Garlic, and a Huckleberry Pinot Noir Reduction; Roasted Acorn Squash with Kale, Wild Mushroom and Quinoa Sauté, Roasted Garlic Walnut Cream, Pomegranate Gastrique, and Sage; or that day’s seafood selection, caught just miles away.
Leaving room for dessert is mandatory. Hand-crafted confections such as Apple Beignets with Salted Caramel and Cinnamon Ice Cream; McNab Family Reserve Port accompanied by a Chocolate Almond Coconut Truffle; or a choice from their array of house made Ice Creams will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Fabulous Fungi
All November, succulent local fungi will play a part in Chef Kantor’s menus with special dishes on offer. And to take mushroom mania to the next level, guests can enjoy a Mushroom Enthusiast Package until December 31, 2023. The Mushroom Package includes a two-night stay in one of their premier rooms (that include hot tubs, saunas, or ocean views), a gourmet breakfast each morning, an Opinel mushroom knife from the Swiss Alps, a leather foraging bag, and a mushroom identification book. Also included with the package: a bespoke mushroom-based cocktail and candy-cap mushroom dessert served in the restaurant, created especially for this package. Package pricing: Weekdays: $1,100 / Weekends: $1,200.
Channel the Power of the Trees
Mendocino’s ancient forests are breathtaking and inspiring. For the ultimate way to commune with them, guests can take advantage of MacCallum House’s Forest Bathing Package, which fosters a very special connection to nature. Forest bathing (or shinrin-yoku) is not simply a walk in the woods, it is the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. It is an antidote to tech-filled lives and is both healing and uplifting. MacCallum House’s Forest Bathing package is 60 to 75 minutes, guided by local forest expert Delphine Davidson. It includes two weekend-nights in one of their premier rooms (that include hot tubs, saunas, or ocean views), a bottle of local sparkling wine, a full-gourmet breakfast each morning in the acclaimed MacCallum House restaurant, and a relaxing a spa basket that includes bath bombs, scented candles, luxurious soaps, and essential massage oils. Weekends only. Forest bathing experience must be booked two weeks in advance and can accommodate up to five guests. Package pricing: $1,500.
Refreshed Rooms
Among MacCallum House’s fabulous accommodations is their beautifully restored Mendocino Historic Barn. Two of the rooms in the Barn (William Otis Kelly #14 and North Barn #15) have just been refurbished with new furniture and have bathrooms that have been completely redone. Like so many of the MacCallum House’s rooms, both have private hot tubs. Room 14, or the William Otis Kelly room has a cozy wood-burning river-stone fireplace flanked by a relaxing seating area, a beautifully refreshed bathroom with a step-in shower, a king size bed and smart tv in addition to all of our regular amenities — luxury mattresses, local in-room coffee & ShiKai bath products. In addition, room 14 boasts a beautiful private deck and hot tub. Room 15 or the North Barn room has a festive gas fireplace, a living room space with couch and chair, a fully-refreshed bathroom with a step-in shower, a private deck and hot tub. All the rooms in the Barn are pet friendly.
Fall is the perfect time to revel in all that Mendocino has to offer from the home base of one of their most distinctive inns, and from San Francisco, a scenic 3-hour drive is all it takes to be enveloped by the magic of MacCallum House.
About MacCallum House
A historic Victorian home nestled in the center of Mendocino Village, MacCallum House is a boutique hotel and restaurant that features luxurious accommodations and a chef-driven restaurant. Built in 1882 by William Kelley, as a wedding gift to his daughter Daisy MacCallum, this historic landmark is surrounded by lush gardens and expansive lawns. The main property houses nineteen beautiful and unique rooms but guests can also stay in suites, cottages, or barn rooms – some of them quaint, 1880s-era outbuildings that have been converted to charming, modern guest rooms. Many of these accommodations include fireplaces, private hot tubs, ocean views, and more. The renowned MacCallum House Restaurant, located on the main property, is one of California’s original farm-to-table dining experiences, featuring all that is local, seasonal, and fresh.
