Stanford Inn & Resort

Top choice in Coastal Highway 1


This masterpiece of a lodge standing on 10 lush acres has wood-burning fireplaces, knotty-pine walls, original art, stereos and top-quality mattresses in every room. Take a stroll in the organic gardens, where they harvest food for the excellent on-site restaurant, and a dip in the solarium-enclosed pool and hot tub, and it’s a sublime getaway.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Coastal Highway 1 attractions

1. Kelley House Museum

0.5 MILES

Check out the research library and changing exhibits on early California and Mendocino. The 1861 museum hosts seasonal, two-hour walking tours for $10;…

2. Kwan Tai Temple

0.63 MILES

Peering in the window of this 1852 temple reveals an old altar dedicated to the Chinese god of war. Tours are available by appointment and provide a…

3. Mendocino Art Center

0.71 MILES

Behind a yard of twisting iron sculpture, the city’s art center takes up a whole tree-filled block. It hosts exhibitions, nationally renowned art classes…

4. Van Damme State Park

1.65 MILES

Three miles south of Mendocino, this sprawling 1831-acre park draws beachcombers, divers and kayakers to its easy-access beach, and hikers to its pygmy…

5. Point Cabrillo Light Station

3.8 MILES

Built in 1909, this stout lighthouse stands on a 300-acre wildlife preserve north of town, between Russian Gulch and Caspar Beach. The grounds also…

6. Jug Handle State Natural Reserve

5.36 MILES

Between Mendocino and Fort Bragg, Jug Handle preserves an ecological staircase that you can view on a 5-mile (round-trip) self-guided nature trail. The…

7. Sea Glass Museum

7.14 MILES

Just south of town, this museum showcases the sea glass found on local beaches with beautiful displays, plus audiovisual explanations and additional…

8. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

7.6 MILES

This gem of Northern California displays native flora, rhododendrons and heritage roses. The succulent display alone is amazing and the organic garden is…