MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA – (September 28, 2022) – Fall in Mendocino means mushrooms, and so much more. Menus at restaurants such as the Little River Inn’s may feature meaty oyster mushrooms and delicious Boletes, with hopes of early Golden Chanterelles, just coming into season. This beginning of the mushroom season is the harbinger of cooler weather and signals the end of the summer crowds and a peaceful, colorful time in the county. Many say it’s the most relaxing time of year to visit, with plentiful grapes and apples being harvested, leaves showing off their blazing colors, and those famous mushrooms being foraged in verdant forests. With sunshine lingering during the day, activities abound and adventure calls. Hiking, biking, and kayaking are all on offer while wine-tasting and shop-hopping provide an appealing alternative. A heritage train takes visitors through untouched forest to an autumnal wonderland, and select inns offer special deals at this time of year, making it an even more enticing time to take a much-needed vacation.
While sweltering temperatures impact our friends around the state, Mendocino enjoys light breezes off the ocean and crisp, starry nights. The intimate and luxurious Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa has a special offer for those seeking refuge from the heat along the dramatic coastline of Mendocino this fall. Now through the end of October, guests receive 15% off their stay when they stay three nights. To get the discount, guests can mention “Chill Out” at the time of booking or include it in the “Additional Information: Special Requests” section when booking online. This deal applies to new reservations only and is valid for stays booked between September 10th and November 1st, 2022. Not combinable with any other offers or discounts. Perched high on a bluff top overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Brewery Gulch Inn reigns cathedral-like over the dramatic coast. The 10 romantic rooms – many with deep, two-person tubs and private decks – all look out over picture-perfect views of Smuggler’s Cove. Each of the rooms boasts soothing earth tones, feather beds cloaked in Sferra linens, Molton Brown and Asprey products, Himalayan bath salts and thick Abyss towels. The property’s full-time executive chef cooks exclusively for guests, and included with each stay is a cooked-to-order breakfast from a seasonally-changing menu and a light dinner/evening Wine Hour, now featuring sleek redwood Mendo boxes – oversized bento boxes showcasing an array of delectable appetizers – prepared by Executive Chef Stephen Smith, using organic, local ingredients whenever possible. Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa, 9401 N. Highway One, Mendocino, CA 95460, (707) 937-4752, www.brewerygulchinn.com.
What could be more Mendocino in autumn than a mushroom and beer pairing dinner? After a two-year hiatus, the iconic Little River Inn, in conjunction with Russian River Brewing Company (famed for their award-winning Pliny the Elder beer), will once again host their annual six-course dinner featuring gourmet mushrooms and the extraordinary beers of Russian River Brewing Company. Little River Inn’s Executive Chef Mark Dym and Russian River Brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo have collaborated to offer delicious surprises and eye-opening intel on brewing and mushrooms at this year’s event. Little River Inn’s Mushroom and Beer dinner will take place on Friday, November 11, 2022, at 6:30 pm in the Abalone Room at Little River Inn. Tickets are $150, and can be purchased HERE. Family-owned for five generations, the historic Little River Inn is a turn-of-the-century stunner, surrounded by manicured gardens and steps from eminently hikeable Van Damme State Park and gentle Van Damme State Beach. Home to an Audubon-certified golf course where guests might encounter an elusive deer, regulation tennis courts, and an award-winning, chef-driven restaurant with options for all that features carefully crafted and hearty California cuisine, the property has something for everyone. The Inn has 65 rooms – from the affordable to the downright luxurious – all with ocean views – making it especially suited for families (including the family dog). Little River Inn, 7901 N. Highway One, Little River, CA 95456, (707) 937-5942, www.littleriverinn.com.
This October, adults, children, and even Fido can ride the world-famous Skunk Train’s Pumpkin Express to a magical pumpkin patch set amongst an autumnal wonderland. Departing from the cowboy town of Willits, the Pumpkin Express takes riders on a 2-hour, 16-mile scenic journey through majestic redwoods (complete with a dramatic tunnel) and down into the Noyo River Canyon. Once at the junction, riders can explore the nearby redwoods, take photos, and pick their very own pumpkin to take back on the train. Seasonal treats are available onboard. VIP tickets include advanced boarding, priority concessions, and a commemorative gift. The trains run every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday (and also on Halloween) throughout the month of October. Tickets: $59.95 per seat / VIP Ticket: $94.95 / Dog Ticket: $10.95. Infants (2 and under) ride free on a lap. Since 1885, the Skunk Train has carried passengers along the Redwood Route® and is one of the most popular and beloved attractions in Northern California. Passengers travel over bridges and along streams, deep into the heart of the woods, through terrain that has remained essentially undisturbed for centuries. They also offer Railbike excursions that allow riders to skim along the train’s tracks on electric powered, 2-person bikes and get up close and personal with nature. Skunk Train, 100 W. Laurel Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, (707) 964-6371 (Fort Bragg Depot) and 299 E. Commercial St, Willits, CA 95490, (707) 964-6371 (Willits Depot), www.skunktrain.com.
From now through the end of October, Tuesdays are free at Elk Cove Inn & Spa. Book any three nights with a Tuesday included (Sun-Tue, Mon-Wed, and Tue-Thu) and that Tuesday is on the house. Must request this offer when booking your stay; New reservations only; Offer expires October 31. Call 707-877-3321 to book. The Elk Cove Inn is a unique Mendocino ocean-view bed and breakfast featuring breathtaking views, farm- and ocean-to-table cuisine, impeccable friendly service, and an elegant Day Spa. Centered around a beautiful Craftsman-style mansion from the late 1800s, there are also a variety of suites and cliffside cottages to choose from. No two are completely alike and every single room has its own special charm. Nestled in peaceful seclusion, the inn has direct access to Greenwood State Beach (which feels like a private beach). Exquisite dinners can be booked at their onsite restaurant, Sibo, and daily sumptuous breakfasts are included with the room. Lavish gardens that supply an ever-changing array of beautiful blooms and produce for the restaurant, as well as chickens, goats, and honeybees, complete the charming experience. Elk Cove Inn & Spa, 6300 South Highway One, Elk, CA 95432 (707) 877-3321, www.elkcoveinn.com.
