After a long day of wine tasting in Anderson Valley, hiking the coastal trails, and nibbling on fresh caught seafood in Fort Bragg, you can now go “off the grid” at a new “glamping” site just south of downtown Mendocino.
Mendocino Grove, the latest addition to the North Coast glamping scene, bills itself as a campground that offers a “modern camping experience” for those of us who like the idea of washing our tired, hiked out body in a luxurious hot shower and then drying our skin with a nice, warm organic cotton towel.
Like other glamping sites in the North Bay, Mendocino Grove harkens back to a time when San Franciscans would travel north on their vacation, setting up camp on the coast, complete with dining tables, champagne, and their finest outfits. Today, locals and big city dwellers who’d like to vacation in a natural environment, but prefer the amenities of a decent hotel, book a tent, trailer or cabin at a glamping site.
The Mendocino Grove property features 60 canvas tents with the kind of comfort you’d normally find in a hotel: queen size beds, cotton linens, down comforters, wool blankets, and patios with leather butterfly chairs and lanterns.
While suited for couples in search of a romantic getaway, Mendocino Grove is also family friendly. The property has larger tents with queen and bunk beds, complete with hip Bohemian-inspired furniture and private picnic tables and fire pits. And, regarding that luxurious hot shower: there is an onsite communal bath house with private showers, EO body care products, cotton towels, bathrooms, and all the necessities.
Complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning and there are onsite gas barbecues. After a day of hiking or wine tasting, glamping guests can settle into a communal fire pit, play bocce ball, corn hole or a classic board game, use one of many gas barbeques, or chill out on a hammock. And like any camping site, they offer s’mores. (Less outfitted guests have the option to purchase a camp box, which includes a pots and pans, tablecloth, plates, glasses, mugs, bowls, utensils – everything you need to prepare your organic camping chili.)
Kayaking, canoeing, and hiking are some of the many activities that the area around Mendocino Grove offers. The historic town of Mendocino, located a mere five minutes north from the glamping site, has a handful of boutiques, bookstores and art galleries. Head a bit further north to Fort Bragg’s Noyo Harbor for a bite of the fresh catch of the day at the Noyo River Grill (707-962-9050; 32150 N. Harbor Dr., Fort Bragg). Anderson Valley, a wine region regarded for their pinot noir and Alsatian varietals like riesling, is a 20-minute drive away. Must-visit wineries include Goldeneye Winery (707-895-3202; 9200 CA-12, Philo), Smith Story Wine Cellars (707-494-5575; 9000 CA-128, Philo) and Navarro Vineyards & Winery (707-895-3686; 5601 Hwy 128, Philo).
And don’t fret, Mendocino Grove is not truly “off the grid” – they offer wifi and electricity, so you can share those Instagrammable camping moments with your biggest Facebook and Instagram fans.
Mendocino Grove’s season is from May 11-October 31, with rates starting at $142.50. Dog friendly. mendocinogrove.com.
