Alanna

We have 4 days to spend in SF and Northern California. We arrive in San Francisco on Friday evening. We're planning on leaving Saturday morning and travelling up the coast to the Bodega Bay/Jenner area. I'm confused based on all the great posts that I've read. Should we stay at Inn at the Tides in Bodega, Ten Inverness Way in Inverness or River's End in Jenner. We want a very special inn. We're going to go to Mendocino from there (thinking about Glendevin Inn) and then inland back to San Fran. Also any tips on the weather mid March?

Thanks for your help!

gail

I suppose it depends on what you want. We ran into some visitors at Lucas Wharf and they were really enjoying the Inn at the Tides. It is tidy. Higher end. Nice place accross the street from the bay.
I would choose 10 Inverness Way in an instant. It has more charm in my estimation. Inverness is funky. I love exploring in that area. My favorite restaraunt ever is there... Manka's. Look at their website, as there are so great places to stay cabins, house over the bay,etc.. Eat there if you can. They roast the food over the fire pit in the lodge.Desserts that are incredible. It is very romantic.
I think River's End is showing it's age. It's just not in the catagory with the other two!Anyway welcome to California! Have a wonderful time. If you need more info ask!!

Alanna

Hi Gail,

Thanks for the response. You seem to know the area pretty well. Do you have any recommendations of where to stay in Mendocino? The only problem is that we only want to stay one night and alot places have a 2 night minimum on weekends. Help!!

gail

We usually don't stay right in Mendocino, but at Timbercove Lodge. I am not sure if they have a minimum.It is hard to get around the two night minimum!

robin

Hi Alanna - We live in SJ and have stayed in Bodega a few times and Mendocino 1-2 times per year. Never been to Inn at the Tides - but have friends that love it. We ALWAYS stop in Jenner and have lunch at Jenner by the Sea. Have never seen the rooms there - but it could be fun. It's a "funky" little place.

Now - Mendocino is WONDERFUL (in my opinion worth more time there than Bodega Bay). We've stayed at Glendeven - loved it. Also - Little River Inn - very nice & our favorite is Albion River Inn. Only problem is Albion is booked months in advance.
The Whale Watch in Gualala is also beautiful, but about 30-45 min drive to Mendocino. The Heritage House in Mendocino is beautiful - we are looking at staying there next time we head up that way.

We checked out the Timber Cove Lodge once and left after seeing the rooms. They weren't very nice or clean. That was several years ago.

Good luck!

kam

My choice would be the Inn at the Tides---wonderful food and more upscale. But, if you're the type of person who prefers a B&B feel then I would recommend Ten Inverness. Either way you can't go wrong. Haven't been to River's End. Up in Mendocino there's the very special Joshua Grindle Inn. In March the weather can still be raining, especially north of the city. It's very hard to get around the 2 night minimums either on the north coast or down in Monterey, but many times the 2 nights just apply to weekend or high season. You need to call a few places and find out. If you explain your situation, maybe they'll make an exception. Good luck.

kcaslack

Have heard raves about Inn at the Tides as well as Ten Inverness Way. I agree that the Mendocino area is more picturesque, however. In that area, check out Cypress Cove at www.cypresscove.com. Spectacular setting and very romantic. Most places in the Mendocino area only require two nights if a Saturday is included. Timber Cove is also a spectacular location, but, unfortunately the Lodge itself--as noted in a post above--is always sadly in need of repair and a good cleaning! I stayed there years ago and there were overlooked items such as broken glass windows in our room! Have been back on numerous occasions just to look around, and it never seems to improve.......it's such a shame because the location is quite breathtaking!

Kat

I'd say: that's WAY too much traveling for four days. I'd skip Bodega Bay and Mendocino and do two days in Point Reyes (not as far as and better than Bodega Bay) and two days in Wine Country.

gail

A couple months ago it looked liked Jenner by the Sea was closed.I am sad to hear about Timbercove. I agree that Tamales sounds more fun than Bodega. We have stayed at the Jasmine Cottage (or Gray's Retreat) in that area and enjoyed it. It of course is a cottage not an upscale hotel like place though.Pt Reyes and Tamales have great hiking areas and places to eat.Bodega has beaches to sit on and enjoy, but not many other activities.

Alanna

Thanks for your suggestions everyone! Just got back and it was a great trip. We ended up staying at The Inn at the Tides in Bodega Bay, Glendeven in Mendocino and The Gaige House in Glen Ellen near Sonoma. Inn at The Tides was quite nice (I expected much more from all the posts). Glendeven was fantastic and The Gaige House was over the top - fantastic ($$).

sarah

Alanna

Please concider redoing your itinerary to spend two nights in Mendicino and only one night at Inverness. I would strongly recommend this. Do not miss Manka's for dinner - expensive, but worth the experience. I would stay in Inverness, not Bodega Bay. However, Inverness is a bit of a detour, and Bodega Bay is right on the way. Plan on more time than you think to drive this windy, windy, windy road up to Mendicino. I will be honest with you - anywhere you stay in this area is fantastic. We adore Inverness. It is mellowing and pensive and envigorating all in one. We hike and walk the beaches and atone with nature. Mendicino is touristy and exploring and fun. So - it all depends on what you are looking for. Inverness and Mendicino will be cold. Turtlenecks and sweaters unless you are lucky.

sarah

Alanna

I just reread your note. One response was that you are doing too much travelling in that time.. They suggested two days in Inverness (point reyes) and two in the wine country.. Hands down this is the best idea. If you have never been to the wine country, I agree whole heartedly.. Mendicino is a huge huge hike. You will be wiped out.

Alanna

Actually, it really did not turn out to be too much travelling time (for us anyways!). I love staying at a variety of places rather than 1 place for 2 long. It gives you a good taste of everything! We did not feel rushed and took our time driving with lots of camera shots. We drove from along the coastal highway from San Fran to Bodega (stayed overnight at Inn at the tides). The next day we went to Mendocino - tooted around town and stayed at Glendeven (fantastic!). Day 3 we drove through the interior through wine country. We took in 3 or 4 lovely wineries and stayed at Glen Ellen at the Gaige House (awesome). The following morning we drove back to San Fran. It was really a great itinerary!