Eric Leiberman and Sarah Falter, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.com
It is a gloriously sunny weekend at the very end of spring when we arrive at The Stanford Inn, an eco-conscious, vegan, luxury retreat perched on a hill overlooking the Pacific in Mendocino, California. We’re in awe of the dramatic coastline, still exploding with color from the native plants and wildflowers that are thriving after an unusually wet winter season. It is the perfect MiniMoon retreat for us, two weeks post our DIY backyard wedding, affording just the right mix of de-compression and revitalization.
The Stanford Inn prides itself on being committed to the highest ideal of sustainability and eco-tourism. The connection between the guest, nature and environmentalism is palpable: the on-site organic farm, endless flower beds and quaint benches perched throughout to maximize relaxation – it’s like a massage for the soul. And, with the classes the inn offers in plant-based cooking, organic gardening and farming, the inn not only provides the model, but enables you to take these skills back home with you.
Our room is traditional and elegant, while still feeling warm and cozy. Paneled in pine and redwood and adorned with antiques and plush furnishings that open to the real treat – the gorgeous views of the inn’s lush grounds and the ocean beyond, enjoyed from our spacious and private deck. Fresh air and natural light abound with even the slightest crack of the windows.
And there’s even more to enjoy here, too. On the more leisurely end of the spectrum, the inn offers gentle yoga ($15/guest) most days, and walking paths throughout the property that are quite expansive, and on par with some of the best botanical gardens we’ve seen.
On the more moderate side, there are several trails located within short walking/driving distance of the inn, including the Mendocino Headlands Trail (approx 4 miles out & back), and the Big River Trail (a total of 16 miles out & back), both of which can be cut short by turning around anytime you wish. The two trails offer stunning views; the Mendocino Headlands Trail of dramatic oceanside cliffs and beach go-ers below, and the Big River Trail of redwood forest, interspersed with river views (you may even be surprised to spot otters or harbor seals!). The Mendocino Headlands Trail is explored by foot, while the Big River Trail can be explored by foot or bike, and the river itself by kayak, sailboat, canoe, or paddleboard.
The inn generously offers complimentary, high-quality trail (gravel) bicycles to guests, and there are various outrigger, kayak, canoe, and paddle board options for an additional fee, which can be rented at the edge of the property from Catch a Canoe & Bicycles Too outfitter.
The inn’s pool, hot tub, and sauna are housed in a large greenhouse with ample natural light and more beautiful plants to admire while you luxuriate in the water. These amenities are a treat after the day’s long run, hike, bike ride or canoe paddle. There is also a spa on-site that offers massage, skin, and ayurvedic treatments for a fee. And, if you’d rather just curl up and read a book on your deck, or in front of the in-room wood-burning fireplace, there is also a book store on-site.
In Northern California, sustainability and all versions of vegetarian/vegan cuisine are on-trend, but it is immediately clear to us that the Stanford Inn has been living this ethos since way before it was “cool”.
Their all-vegan restaurant, The Ravens, offers creative cuisine using locally-sourced plant-based ingredients (much from their on-site certified organic gardens) whenever possible. And in some cases, it maintains recipes from the restaurant’s inception decades ago. In addition to offering breakfast everyday – free for guests – the restaurant also offers a variety of dishes for lunch and dinner that rotate seasonally (Sea Palm and Root Vegetable Strudel, Crab-less Cakes and Kalua Mushrooms & Coconut Rice for example). We especially enjoyed the Kale Stack – massaged kale, avocado lime-verjus vinaigrette, cauliflower ceviche and avocado tartare. Reservations are highly recommended in the busier summer months.
And if you managed to pull yourself away from the hotel for any of those trail options, you won’t want to miss downtown Mendocino (3 minutes drive). For such a small and quaint town, there is quite a lot to see and do – exploring the funky shops, restaurants (still thinking about Fog Eater Cafe and Luna Trattoria), and galleries. And right adjacent, you’ll find the cliffside walking trails and accessible beach. This gem of a town is not to be missed.
The lovely town of Mendocino © Sarah Falter/goingplacesfarandnear.com
We also appreciated how the inn is committed to the highest ideal of sustainability and eco-tourism, not only for its own operations, but in sharing its knowledge and passion and inculcating the mindset and modeling the means in its guests. The inn’s Environmental Leadership Field School promotes understanding of soil, gardening, food production and preparation.
The inn also strives to reduce its carbon footprint: it has nine EV charging stations; composts and recycles; and only uses sustainable lumber and paints when refurbishing.
A joyous and memorable mini-moon in an unbelievably beautiful corner of California.
The Stanford Inn, 44850 Comptche Ukiah Road, Mendocino, CA 95460, 707-937-5615, 800-331-8884, concierge@stanfordinn.com, https://stanfordinn.com.
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