3 Best Hotels in Mendocino, The North Coast

The feel is modern yet tasteful at this inn with stained-wood and leather furnishings and plush beds; two rooms have whirlpool tubs with views. The luxury is in tune with the surrounding nature. Large windows frame views of the 10-acre property, bird-filled trees, and winding paths through native-plant gardens. Organic vegetable and herb gardens provide ingredients for breakfast and the complimentary wine hour with a light dinner.

A historic boutique property set on 2 flower-filled acres in the middle of town, MacCallum House strikes the perfect balance between Victorian charm and modern luxury. Guest rooms in the main house and renovated barn (six in each) feel genteel and romantic (the ones in the barn are larger and look more contemporary), while the seven cottages nearby are bright and honeymoon-y. One of them, the water tower, is unforgettable, with a living room on the first floor, a sauna on the second, and an ocean view from the bed on the third. Other accommodations have a private outdoor hot tub or a sauna-equipped bathroom. The MacCallum lineup also includes 10 modern luxury suites a few blocks away. The longtime chef at the outstanding restaurant, one of Mendocino's best, hand selects the best local ingredients, and everything from pasta to ice cream is prepared daily from scratch.

This woodsy yet luxurious family-run property a few minutes south of town feels like the Northern California version of an old-time summer resort but with an ecologically friendly twist. Several lodge buildings house guest rooms that range from cozy to chic, many with ocean views and fireplaces. On the spacious, dog-friendly grounds you'll find organic gardens, llamas, and a sandy river beach where you can rent a kayak or canoe and head 8 miles upriver. Yoga classes and massages and body wraps are complemented by the sophisticated, all-organic plant-based cuisine at The Ravens restaurant. Breakfast is vegan, too.