I have 2-3 days and want to drive up the coast from S Fran to Mendocino. I am visiting from Kansas and want to enjoy the views and beaches with glass. I wonder about staying in Ft Bragg rather than in Mendocino? I need some feedback. Also would appreciate feedback about places to check out from S Fran to Mendocino plus cafes along the way. Thanks

Fort Bragg tends to be a less expensive place to stay than Mendocino.
Although not as pretty as Mendocino, it can be a good option. However, if views from your room are important to you, I would stay in Mendocino. Personally speaking, my favorite area to stay, is just above San Francisco in a little town called Elk. It is just above Gualala and is a cute little town with spectacular ocean views. A pricy, but nice place to stay is the Elk Cove Inn. www.elkcoveinn.com

Mendocino is a charming old town used as a location for the movie "East of Eden." From downtown it is a short walk to the breathtaking Mendocino Headlands.

Unfortunately, the only advice I have about where to stay there is this: Don't stay at the Hotel Mendocino--this once lovely hotel had become a dump on our last visit.

Fort Bragg is a small town with shopping strung along the highway like hundreds of other towns in the U.S.A.

The choice is between charming and mundane.

I agree that Elk is a nice place to stay if you can have an ocean view. You might also check out places in Gualala with views, if the recommended place in Elk is over your budget.

My husband and I stayed at the Albion River Inn which is south of Mendencino. Beautiful views. Check out their website www.albionriverinn.com

From there we branched out and did our scenic drives and spent some time in the town Mendencino

We like the MacCallum House in Mendocino and sometimes their internet specials are good deals. http://maccallumhouse.com/
For an excellent, though pricy, meal in Mendocino, go to Cafe Beaujolais and for very good sandwiches try Patterson's Pub, a local hangout. There is one motel in Ft. Bragg that's on the ocean, but I doubt you'd save much money. Mendocino is much more special. If you have time, the Mendocino Botanical Garden, between Mendocino and Ft. Bragg is wonderful...you walk through beautiful gardens to a spectacular ocean view.
Enjoy!

If you want ocean views why not drive from Carmel to Big Sur? The Big Sur coast is beautiful... there are fun cabins along the river in Big Sur that are not that expensive...or you can camp. I find the drive into Mendocino stomach churning.... but as Nancy1652 says the Botanical Gardens there are really beautiful.

check out http://www.littleriverinn.com/ It is just south of Mendocino, rooms in all price ranges, and amazing views. Cheaper than comparable places in Mendocino itself.

Have lunch in Noyo Harbor, visit the botanic gardens, and taste at http://www.pacificstarwinery.com/

Look at Alegria and its Cove Cottage. Incredible location, you hear the fog horns and squall of the ocean, crashing waves...take a stroll on the Headlands. Ft Bragg has zilch charm. One exception is the Pacific Star Winery which you should not miss.

Pacific Star is not in Ft Bragg (though they do have a tasting room there). It is several miles north of town. Plus - tasting is free at the winery but costs $$ at the tasting room.

Yes, I should have clarified that it is a bit north, but worth the drive. It is a perfect spot for a remarkable picnic!!

Fort Bragg is just 15 minutes north of Mendocino. The drive up the coast from San Francisco is remarkably scenic, second only to the Big Sur coast.

We traveled in the SF to Mendocino area in 2005, and I posted a trip report here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...art=100&screen

I hope the URL works.