hello,

We are going to Northern California for our honeymoon in April. I have our accomodations narrowed down to two B & B's in Mendicino county thinking that this location will be central to Napa Valley and the redwood forests, two places we would like to visit. I am looking for suggestions for romantic spots anywhere on the Northern California coast (hikes, restaurants, wineries, beaches, etc.). We don't mind travelling a couple of hours. Please share your favorites. The number of things to see and do are overwhelming. I want this to be a magical trip.

Pam: St. Orres restaurant here in Gualala (it's also an inn) is very romantic for dinner.

Would also recommend the Albion River Inn up the coast between Gualala and Mendocino. Super-romantic location overlooking the water and wonderful food.

Congrats and have fun on "my" beautiful coast!

Stinson Beach is a beautiful place for a day, but it may be freezing by the ocean!

"I have our accomodations narrowed down to two B & B's in Mendicino county thinking that this location will be central to Napa Valley and the redwood forests.."

No, no Mendocino is at least a 3 hour trip to Napa Valley-not my idea of a
day trip-is that what you mean ?

Why not stay a few nights in NV, or Sonoma County for that matter, then a few nights up in Mendocino. In Sonoma County there is a lovely stand of redwoods at Armstong Woods and as you drive to the coast on Hwy 116. To/from Mendocino on Hwy 128 you have the Navarro Redwoods State Park.

Tell us more.
R5

If you are thinking of Napa for wine tasting, just try the ones in the Anderson Valley, a few miles south of Mendocino, on rte. 120. It is also much less touristy.

I forgot, the Boonville Hotel might be a place for a nice meal, although I have not kept up with its latest iteration.

The Elk Cove Inn in the charming town of Elk, just above Gualala. elkcoveinn.com

I loved Point Reyes. We saw elephant seals and just missed a pod of whales. Had a great meal at The Station House in Point Reyes Station. The Oakville Grocery Store in Napa Valley has great picnic food.

Inverness and Mendocino are both romantic.

We just spent Thanksgiving at a house rented on the beach in Mendocino county - just north of Fort Bragg. BEAUTIFUL! http://www.richardgingras.com/whalerock/. This is the proprietor's site, I assume. My husband also has pics up at www.fingerprintfilms.com - Thanksgiving pics. The house was amazing. SO glad my brother and his partner rented it out for the week. The beach was incredible. Great cozy little resort town nearby. Close to the redwood forests. We took a trip on the "Skunk Train" this old steam engine train that winds 3 1/2 hours through redwoods.... breathtaking!

Good luck! (oh, and the drive up there from Oakland was gorgeous! we drove through Sonoma wine county--- so beautiful-- like a Van Gogh painting!)