Best Views In Mendocino—Just Steps From Downtown!

Ocean view House WE spent one glorious month overlooking the rugged northern California coast at this outstanding property! The house is situated to provide exhilarating views west and north from the living room, eating area, and upstairs master bedroom. Walking paths close to house allowed us the luxury of being outdoors, rarely without our binoculars. A good living space with a gas fireplace and a well-equipped kitchen assured indoor comforts, as did our close proximity to grocery stores and restaurants, all within a quick drive or reasonable walking distance. We were near kayaking, parks with walking trails, beaches, and shops in town. The location was quiet and gave us adequate time to relax and recharge from our busy life. The patio area to the south allows one to visit, relax in the sun and enjoy the birdlife, as it is protected from the wind. From the northern deck, we spotted a whale, and on numerous occasions, spouts, adding to our delight. We look forward o returning to the property again!

My wife and I spent a wonderful month renting this beautiful house set in a breath-taking location. Our three grown-up boys (aged 19-25) joined us for the last 10 days. We were visiting from London, UK and we have been several times to Mendocino – usually staying in B&Bs – but this is the first time we had rented for any significant length of time. We did not regret it. From the very first moment I enquired about the house the Californian family who have owned it for several generations were really pleasant, easy to deal with and tried to ensure our visit would be an enjoyable one by answering all our questions and making sure we knew all the details regarding the house and the locality. On arrival the house surpassed our expectations in every way - the unbelievable location and ocean views and the house itself - with its unique “ship-like” exterior, captivating décor and excellent facilities. The living room is amazing, and we spent – and could spend – many hours just sipping coffee – or wine in the long evenings – looking out over the most incredible ocean views and sunsets. We could see wildlife on all sides, from the wild birds on the little islands off the headland, hear (and see) seals, watch the Ospreys and other birds of prey floating in the air currents - a vast amount to do and see for someone interested in nature. We walked daily around the headlands – literally on our doorstep (we were part of the headlands!). The location relative to the town is very convenient, and also allowed us and our boys to visit various places throughout Mendocino County as well as partaking in activities such as kayaking, hiking, etc. All in all it was a wonderful experience for our family. We have rented and stayed in many places all over the World – South of France, New Zealand, etc – but this is a house in one of the nicest locations we have ever had the good fortune to stay in with views that are totally spectacular and an ambiance that fosters creativity, calmness and contentment – in other words – perfect for a family holiday.

My boyfriend and I are local to San Francisco, we headed to the North Coast to enjoy a quiet getaway to beautiful Mendocino with another couple and their two year old son. The drive up the coast is absolutely gorgeous, but pales in comparison to the view from the house. You enter a quiet, secluded street into a short driveway to the house, slightly hidden away from the road. The view at the house is nothing short of dramatic. Massive floor to ceiling windows with a breathtaking view of the coastline, tastefully furnished with beautiful artifacts from a family home that has been loved and well cared for. It's an honor and a privilege to be invited in to this sanctuary. With the almost private cove to your left where the seals come in to play, to the sweeping coast all around you, it really is a cherished escape from busy city life. We spent much of our time enjoying a cup of tea by the fireplace, watching for blowholes as the whales migrated south, we must have seen 15 different whales across a two day time frame! The master bedroom upstairs is an oasis in and of itself, very spacious and comfortable with a huge bed and skylights, not to mention that panoramic view! The two rooms below are equally well appointed with tasteful, comfortable furniture. The heart of the home is the great space that opens up into the dining room, living room with cozy fireplace, and fully equipped kitchen, where we really spent all of our time lounging and soaking in the view. The owners clearly love and cherish this home and have done everything they can to make it an amazing experience for their guests. It's a easy walk into the main drag in Mendocino, where we grabbed sandwiches at the local deli, stopped for drinks at the adorable historic hotel, and grabbed some groceries for dinner at the local market. Morning and afternoon walks along the headlands are not to be missed! I loved that everything I wanted was in walking distance, but it was still just a short drive to nearby Fort Bragg where we could do a bit more exploring and enjoy a brewery tour and get fresh seafood from the harbor. It's a rare, special place, utterly unique in its location and design, definitely a special treat to make your holiday unforgettable.

My wife and I were privileged to be the very first to rent this special, iconic California coastal home. We were there for a month in the early spring of March 2013. We have rented wonderful homes in Mendocino over the last several years, each with their own charms and little luxuries. But, trust me, none of them had the location, location and location that this property has. Water on three sides and what my wife calls a panoramic view of the route to Japan. It's the sort of setting that has you saying to yourself so this is where they shoot all those stunning postcard views of the California coast! The house is charming, an architectural curiosity, designed to resemble the prow of a ship heading out to sea. It's been well maintained and lovingly curated by a Northern California family that has owned the property for decades. It's still equipped to meet a visiting family's every need: a compact kitchen with counter space and windows that permit you to do what needs to be done while scanning the seal-dotted cove shores below and the majestic Headlands. The master bedroom affords not only a panoramic Pacific view but the ability to see the star-studded night sky from your enormous bed in a way that city-dwellers seldom experience. The other bedroom and a half also have (less dramatic) ocean views and are comfortably furnished. Walking into the living room from the front door is often a bit of shock. In daytime it showcases - through a several-yard wide span of 12 foot high windows - a dazzling expanse of blue sea and crashing surf. Even visiting locals are taken aback. In front of the the living room fireplace with its massive stone wall and bronze sculpture is where you want to be with a book and warm beverage in hand when the North Pacific lives up to its reputation as the platform for some epic coastal storms, especially in the early spring when we Canadians hang out here. The house is very discretely hidden from road view, at the end of a 100 foot tree-lined driveway. But guests are met getting out of their cars with a stunning view north up the coast that sets the stage very well for their stay. The front-lawn rolls gently down from the house to the shrub-rimmed point which juts out above the sea, some 40 feet below. It's kind of a modest Gatsby-esque scene, this front lawn, a pretty unforgettable sight with most everyone wanting to get into any pictures being taken in this setting.