The Newport Perspective

One of my favorite parts of WIZARD OF OZ is when Dorothy unceremoniously “lands” in OZ and magically the screen bursts into technicolor, and the scene comes alive with a city full of munchkins, good (and bad) witches, a full set orchestra and the first flash mob ever (all others pale in comparison). That’s how it feels to me coming out of this dark and depressing pandemic and we can finally…breathe again. And what better place to celebrate this new maskless freedom than at the Mendocino Botanical gardens with acres of flora, fauna, pathways for meandering and soaking up all the air, sunshine, butterflies and birds that surround 47 acres of stunning ornamental horticulture. Located on North Highway One in Fort Bragg a short drive from The Inn at Newport Ranch, you can plan on a day of viewing the amazing, curated canyons, wetlands, coastal bluffs and even a closed-cone pine forest. After being cooped up in our respective homes, sometimes with people we dearly love but too much togetherness is well, stifling. How can anyone hold a grudge when you are surrounded by camellias, magnolias, begonias and all the other -ias that are found in abundance at these extraordinary gardens? 

As if the beauty of the space isn’t enough, the Mendocino Botanical Gardens events offers activities such as yoga in the Gardens, birdwatching, Art in the Garden and so much more. After a few hours of meandering, you will need a break from absorbing the beauty of spectacularly beautiful plants, flowers, birds and sculptures, so head over to Rhody’s Place for a bowl of home-made soup, a salad with ingredients picked from the all organic garden (of course) and not to let your favorite canine feel left out, there are doggy ice cream cones. Paws-etively yummy.

And for everyone’s favorite time of year, the Mendocino coast Botanical Gardens Festival of Lights is worth planning ahead because who doesn’t love a good holiday light festival! Rain or Shine. This display of dazzling lights has been wowing visitors for over 12 years. Enjoy!

Enjoy the dramatic skies and soaring seas of the rugged Northern California coast during our winter storm season. High tides known as King Tides that roll in a few times a year will be returning to the Northern California coast, bringing significant rainfall, offshore winds, and increased surf along with them.

This colder and wetter weather creates some of the most memorable skies and ocean vistas on the Mendocino Coast, making it easy to be torn between exploring the shore and the forests versus staying warm inside your luxurious accommodations at the Inn. Walk-in fireplaces, locally sourced destination-worthy cuisine, and cozy living spaces create an environment for you to unwind while taking in the dramatic magic of storm season.

Or, set out on a socially distanced hike in the great outdoors along our 1.5 miles of coastline and 2,000 acres of timber preserve that encompasses seven distinct micro-climates. Then relax with a hot rock massage and finish your day by curling up with a stack of books for an afternoon of pure relaxation. We even offer an exclusive seasonal package to help you enjoy it all.

Our Winter Storm Watch package includes*

• Hot rock massage (60 minutes)
• Epic hot chocolate with house-made marshmallows
• Dinner inspired by our foraged winter garden bounty
• Happy Hour with “Dark & Stormys”, Mendocino Wine, and lite bites
• 10% off on accommodations at the Inn

*Package is available through March 31, 2021. 2-night minimum stay. Blackout dates apply. Cannot be combined with other offers. Applicable taxes and gratuities not included.

For safe and socially distanced ways to feed your adventurous side, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ways to explore the area during your stay at the Inn.

Enjoy a full day of exploring the lighthouses at Point Cabrillo and Point Arena. Although the lighthouses are temporarily closed, these historic sites still offer window shopping, story-telling, outdoor museums, and wide-open spaces full of fresh coastal air.

If you have dreamed of watching the great whale migration, now is your chance! Just beyond the coast, spot pods of Pacific grey whales as they swim south to the Baja Peninsula for warmer weather.

When you need to take a break between all the excitement, sit and reflect on all the natural beauty you’ve encountered over lunch. Café Beaujolais and Franny’s Cup and Saucer provide the perfect place to stop along the way for a meal accompanied by locally-grown California wine. Or, allow us to design the perfect picnic to enjoy at a picturesque table right here on property!

Learn more about the history of the area either on your own or by booking a custom trip with Mendocino Insider Tours. We can’t wait for you to explore more and return home filled with stories and memories that will last a lifetime.

As avian enthusiasts flock outdoors to get a glimpse of this year’s migrating birds, the Mendocino Coast Audubon Society has been doing an excellent job at keeping track of what species have been spotted where. If you’re planning an upcoming trip to the Ranch and have an affinity for our fine feathered friends, or want to pick up a new hobby and learn about local birds, grab a pair of binoculars and get ready to spot something spectacular.

Mendocino County is home to over 400 types of birds, including some rare and endangered species, making it one of the top birding destinations in the United States. And it just so happens that The Inn at Newport Ranch borders the Audubon Society's Mendocino Coast Important Bird Area, which provides critical habitat for an abundance of birds and other wildlife.

The diverse habitat of the Ranch makes it easy to spot a variety of birds, from the sweeping shoreline all the way up to the top of the trees. Along the coast, keep your eyes peeled for everything from cormorants and seagulls to pelicans and osprey. Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and red-tailed hawks can also be seen soaring overhead in the winter season alongside waterfowl migrating south for the season.

Beyond the coast, where the evergreen forest lends way to towering firs and redwood giants, you can find woodpeckers, bluejays, and if you are lucky enough, a barn owl, great horned owl, or even a Western screech owl. In the freshwater wetlands beyond the old-growth redwoods, herons and egrets can be seen hunting in the tall grass, while snipes dart in and out of the sedges in a truly awe-inspiring display of Mother Nature’s beauty.

So, whether you want to spot sanderlings scurrying in and out of the waves or snowy plovers in their protected breeding grounds nearby, you can count on us to help make all your birding dreams come true.

Although we often don’t think about the individual ingredients in a dish and where they came from before digging in, the hobby of foraging for edible mushrooms has been around since the 1600s.

First, get familiar with the characteristics of the mushrooms you’re searching for. Knowing what to look for as far as color, gills, spores, and scent is important. A region-specific mushroom identification guidebook on an online app can help you stay safe.

Other essentials include a basket or mesh bag, a pocket knife, a brush, a map, and a permit (where necessary.) Water, snacks, comfortable clothing and shoes, sunscreen, and bug spray are also a good idea for half- to full-day adventures.

Learn all about this tasty pastime by signing up for an interactive and educational mushroom adventure right here at the Ranch. We’ll show you what to look for, how to collect, clean, preserve, and cook these tasty morsels too. If you’re interested in an afternoon of foraging for mushrooms on our 2000-acre private timber farm with an expert guide, keep reading for additional details about this unique offering.

Package Includes:

- Half-day tour on a 2000-acre timber preserve with resident guides

- Mushroom-themed picnic lunch, complete with Candy Cap mushroom ice cream

- Fireside tea and informative lecture on the medicinal properties of mushrooms

- Guided instruction on creating personal mushroom logs to take home

- Books, baskets, mushroom harvesting knives, and notebooks all provided

- Dinner featuring local wild mushrooms

What You’ll Need to Bring:

- Woolies and Wellies

- A positive attitude

- An adventurous spirit

Priced at $350 per person (but the knowledge and know-how are priceless!)

One of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in the culture of a destination is to get a taste of the area through its authentic local cuisine. Here in Northern California, we are spoiled by year-round fresh produce, including bright citrus fruits, fragrant herbs, hearty root vegetables, and plentiful leafy greens.

In addition to everything that grows in the ground or hangs from a tree, we source an abundance of locally caught seafood and eggs from nearby purveyors too. Some of our favorite places to find the best bounty of each season include paying a visit to some of our nearby farmers’ markets and organic neighborhood gardens. Here are three we think you might like:

Mendocino Farmers Market

Open Fridays from noon to 2:00 pm, May through October, the Mendocino Farmers Market is the best place to source meat, eggs, olive oil, and baked goods. Located in Downtown Mendocino at Howard & Main Street, dozens of SoCal’s top vendors set up shop here each week to sell coffee, crafts, tropical plants, and pastries.

Garden by the Sea

Located inside the 47-acre Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, The Garden Store sells a variety of natural lotions and soaps made from the finest ingredients. With a fall plant sale every September and a spring plant sale each April—plus proceeds from sales supporting their non-profit botanical gardens—shopping for housewares and kitchen goods doesn’t get more feel-good than this.

Fortunate Farm

This coastal family farm offers everything from outdoor yoga to ecological farming and educational opportunities for the local community. Stop by to grab a bouquet of fresh flowers, pick up heirloom vegetables from their Honorstand, or subscribe to their co-op for first dibs on a weekly Farmbox here .

While we were buzzing around the idea of cultivating a beehive on our property, fate stepped in and presented us with a swarm of honeybees discovered at the Frasier house, an abandoned 19th-century homestead on our 2000 acre private ranch. Overnight we bee-came stewards of this amazing colony of honey making masters.

The swarm was surrounded by Blackwood trees, a member of the Acacia family notorious for delivering a superior honey flavor profile. The lucky find excited and propelled us into our new vocation as apiarists or as we like to refer to ourselves as apiculturists.

Our knowledgeable head gardener Felicia Brown and local Mendocino bee whisperer, Tanya Wyldeflower, began the delicate process of transporting the honeybee colony over to new hives we created for them.

Now a proud member of the Bee Bold Alliance, we have signed the Pollinator Protector Pledge. This allows our acreage to be added to the watershed that unites land as a sustainable food source for all pollinators. We encourage others to sign the pledge and help to protect these critically important insects.

We are excited about our upcoming harvest and the continued production of homegrown Newport Ranch honey. So much so that we created the Bee in Love package to share all of the sweetness with you!

During your stay, enjoy a guided UTV tour, a picturesque picnic lunch featuring Bee Hunter wine, and unwind with a C BEE D massage for two. Our Bee in Love promotion includes a gift basket with honey-baked treats, a jar of local organic honey, locally roasted Bee Bold coffee, and flower seeds to encourage bee propagation—all of which support our local efforts to provide funding for pollination initiatives.

Set on two thousand private acres of coastal land in the Mendocino Coast, the sprawling and secluded Inn at Newport Ranch is the perfect place to social distance while sneaking in a little vacation time. The ranch features nine beautiful appointed accommodations spaced throughout four buildings, making it easy to revel in a uniquely personal and exclusive experience during your stay.

In addition to plenty of room to unpack and unwind, the property allows for outdoor recreation in three distinct microclimates: a redwood forest, a rocky ridgeline, and a coastal meadow. Take a morning hike among the towering trees, spend an afternoon on horseback, or opt for an exhilarating mountain biking or UTV tour, complete with picnic lunch. Our staff will be happy to provide maps or help you plan an excursion.

When it comes to dining, we source as much of our food and wine as possible from local providers. Whatever we can’t find, we try to grow ourselves. Our signature ranch cuisine can be enjoyed al fresco or in-room, where you also have access to cooking equipment of your own. Our main kitchen is also happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions or requests. So, when you’re ready to travel, our open and airy ranch provides plenty of room to roam.

We invite you for a fresh start to summer, involving sunshine, Pacific breezes, and a soothing sojourn at the Inn at Newport Ranch. When you’re ready to come out of quarantine, seek new beginnings with the endless array of activities to be enjoyed in Mendocino County.

If you’re looking to get out on the water, the ocean is not the only option. Explore the Big River Estuary just before it flows into Mendocino Bay. Catch a Canoe and Bicycles Too offers ultra-stable redwood outriggers, kayaks, canoe, and stand-up paddleboard rentals.

You can also opt for a float on historical Noyo Harbor, where you can witness marine life in action or try your hand at fishing. Noyo Harbor Tours will take you out on an 18-foot electric boat guided by the well-known Captain Dan. Group tours are offered at various times throughout the day, and private and sunset tours are also available.

The Noyo River Estuary can also be explored by kayak. Try tours, classes, and lessons with Liquid Fusion Kayak. Their offerings also extend to the ocean, so you can get a glimpse of rock gardens and sea caves along the Pacific Coast. 

For a sampling of Mendocino’s ecological diversity, consider Russian Gulch State Park. The park includes a three-mile leafy canyon with windswept headlands and pristine beaches along a rocky coastline. Discover inland waterfalls, redwood groves, and majestic sea caves.

For those who’d like to stay ashore, there’s more than one way to explore the local redwood forests. While trails abound, you can also opt to cruise through the world-famous Redwood Route on comfortable railbikes—a two-person, pedal-powered vehicle on tracks. Depart from Fort Bragg for a 2-hour railbike excursion guided by Skunk Train.

In uncertain times, we look to the past for inspiration. Mendocino County is an area replete with natural splendor, and it’s easy to imagine how people in the past would have found serenity in the local ecology. While much has changed since Fort Bragg was a thriving logging town at the turn of the last century, there are some elements of the Mendocino Coast that remain the same, to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Our area continues to take joy in the presence of towering redwood forests, in great part thanks to the efforts of sustainable logging with a conservationist approach—thousands of trees are planted every year.

The ocean also remains a magnetic force for Mendocino County—and sailing and fishing are pastimes and tourist attractions today just as they were a century ago. Getting out on the water is a refreshing way to witness the natural beauty of the Pacific Coastline. If it’s a quieter, more serene moment you seek, look to the local hiking trails. With a variety of micro-climates found across the Inn at Newport Ranch alone, you can easily wander your way to solitude for a moment of reflection. 

When it comes to whale watching, we’re at the peak of the season. Starting in November, California gray whales make an incredible annual migration southward from their feeding grounds in Alaska to the warm coastal lagoons of Baja, Mexico, where they mate and give birth. From February through April, the whales return to their feeding grounds—and pass very close to the Mendocino coastline.

An early spring visit to The Inn at Newport Ranch provides an unforgettable opportunity to see these peaceful giants as they spout, breach, and dive along their journey. Sightings are common, and there are many ways to catch a glimpse of these Pacific Ocean voyagers, from booking a spot on a whale-watching charter to exploring on kayaks when waters are calm. You can also spot the spectacle from our own bluffs, or from the Coastal Trail in Fort Bragg.

The month of March is dedicated to the return of the whales, and here in Mendocino County, we celebrate with lectures, guided walks, special boat charters, and even the Fort Bragg Whale Festival. On Saturday, March 21, grab tickets to taste wine, chowder, or beer at the City Hall gymnasium.

A century ago, Newport was a prosperous logging town with a population of just over 2,000 people. The nearby redwood forests were harvested to help build the city of San Francisco. Large sailing schooners would edge up to the cliffs and a lumber chute would deposit the trees from land to sea. These same schooners rigged precarious trapezes in order to carry people from the ships to the land. It was quite an effort, and this work defined an era for this area of Mendocino County. Today, the nearby forests are owned by the Jackson Family. As conservationists, they planted 3,000 trees last year, and only utilize fallen or damaged trees.

To dig deeper into this fascinating local history, opt for a UTV tour led by staff member Otis Brown, an authority on local history and an expert on forestry, environmental regulations, and agriculture. Suitable for all ages and abilities, a UTV tour (on a four-wheel drive, off-road utility vehicle) is a comfortable way to see evidence of the logging era on the grounds of the Inn at Newport Ranch.

Your guide can also elaborate on the era when the Yuki Native American tribe established communities in the area. Witness present-day wildlife, from whales that approach the cliffs to wild eagles in the sky and elk in the forest. If you opt for a ride in February, you’ll get to see recently born baby calves from the 300-head herd of cattle that live on the ranch. Later in spring, enjoy the gorgeous spread of wildflowers that bloom in May and June.

A UTV tour allows you to traverse multiple ecosystems and microclimates in a day: redwood forests including old-growth redwood, meadows, prairies, and 1.5 miles of ocean bluff. Let us prepare a delicious picnic lunch for your adventure, hop on-board and enjoy the ride.

The Inn at Newport Ranch is located in the heart of the Mendocino County coastline. The journey to this enchanting destination is as much a part of the getaway as your relaxing stay on the Mendocino coast near the town of Fort Bragg.

The most likely landing point for travelers from out of state or abroad is either Oakland, Sacramento, or San Francisco International Airports, and between here and there, you’ll find no shortage of memorable stops along the way.

You may cross the Golden Gate Bridge and drive through the charming towns of Marin County on the 10—the inland and faster route—and find yourself in the foothills of Sonoma. It’s here that the Russian River starts, where you can meander through the cozy town of Guerneville (or Stumptown as it used to be called), which leads all the way into Mendocino County. Stop in "Big Bottom Market" for a quick snack or coffee before you continue on your journey. Then you can take your pick between two playgrounds: the tasting rooms of Wine Country, or the shores of the river, known for excellent outdoor recreation during the right time of year. Highway One is winding and slow-going but the expansive views of the hills and the Pacific Ocean are majestic and unlike any other. Keep an eye out for crossing cattle as they tend to cross the roads in the area with little regard for approaching cars!

If you opt for the epic coastal detour along the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll traverse Point Reyes National Seashore and Bodega Bay before crossing the Mendocino County line. Point Arena Lighthouse is on your way and scenic views of the Pacific abound.

The architectural features here at the Inn are unique and tend to trigger an avalanche of inspiration for design-minded travelers. While fans of architecture flock to historic homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, there’s nothing quite like being able to experience unique, historic architecture and spend the night. Here at the Inn, you can experience the melding of natural and human history through both the structures and the property itself.

Located on a 2000 acre private ranch, The Inn at Newport Ranch is situated where a thriving logging mill town was set overlooking miles of oceanfront acreage. Around the turn of the century, the nearby redwood forest was harvested, milled, and shipped by boat to aid in the building of the city of San Francisco. The land use pattern of the town is still visible along Route 1 and the ocean’s edge, where lighthouses, sawmills, and farms were located in a cluster. You can still witness one of the old lumber chutes that were anchored by cable to the bluff, which lowered the timber onto schooners that were sailed to San Francisco.

Following the footsteps of the leaders of the Arts and Craft movement in California, our own designers repurposed some of the original redwood resources in order to create the structures, walls, tables, and even beds here at the Inn at Newport Ranch. All 40 doors onsite are derived from one giant piece of thick redwood, the end of our main dining room has a slice of a 14-foot diameter tree truck embedded into the floor, and one of our cottages has smaller diameter redwoods built into the structure, with the bark left on for a uniquely rustic feel.

Wander to the library to check out the 20-panel frieze running around the top of the walls, in the tradition of the Greene brothers. Most of the custom craftwork at the Inn was created by Vermont artisans. Over the course of four years, we even set up a craft shop on site with local artisans. From tree trunks as supporting columns to a fireplace you can actually sit in, the Inn comprises an architectural phenomenon. Buffered by the spectacular horizons of the Pacific Ocean and dense Redwood forests, experience an extraordinary combination of natural beauty and bespoke architectural design deeply rooted in place.

Tree lightings, holiday parades, gift shows, and light displays abound in Mendocino County this month—but there is one dazzling spectacle that shouldn’t be missed. Head down the coast from the ranch for about 25 minutes and you’ll arrive at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

These 47 acres in Fort Bragg are a delight at any time of the year, but particularly glittering this time of year. Tucked between Highway One and the Pacific Ocean, the property includes canyons, wetlands, coastal bluffs, and a closed-cone pine forest—a visit will acquaint you with microcosms of various California ecosystems.

In December, the gardens transform into a majestic show of glitter and color. This year marks the 10th annual "Festival of Lights". The gardens will be bedecked with holiday lights, comprising a magical atmosphere. Rain or shine, you can witness the eye candy every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening through December 22.

Mendocino County is brimming with rich fall flavors during the month of November. Visiting at this time of year allows you to savor the harvest from local vineyards, breweries, and farms, but it may be the wild-grown bounty that's most impressive.

Mendocino mushrooms have a reputation for being marvelous. With thousands of square miles of live oak and redwood forests, the region is a natural hotspot for around 3,000 varieties of mushrooms. In the autumn, the coveted candy cap, chanterelle, and porcini mushrooms are ripe for the picking, and there is more than one event that lets you sample some hearty mushroom soup. Throughout the month, edible opportunities abound from Ukiah to Point Arena. The foraged fungus can also make a one-of-a-kind holiday gift for the foodie in the family.

If you want to dig deeper, you can join the mycologically minded for a full foray into the world of fungus. On November 8-10, the Mycological Society of San Francisco hosts the annual north coast fungal rite of fall. Join the society in order to participate in guided forays, presentations, meals, and more. For a more introductory immersion, head to the Mendocino County Museum in Willits on November 16 for a free class demonstrating how to grow edible mushrooms on wooden logs.

Anderson Valley may be known for its wines, but one company put it on the map for a different reason—its beer. The Anderson Valley Brewing Company emerged in 1987. At the time, artisanal beers had yet to catch on; when it was founded, the business was one of just 20 craft breweries across the country.

Eventually, though, people took notice. Working out of a 10-barrel brewhouse in Boonville, the company racked up awards and accolades. They quickly outgrew their original home, and in 1996, moved down the road to a 100-barrel brewhouse on 26 acres of land.

Befitting their status as craft beer pioneers, Anderson Valley Brewing Company continues to push the envelope. They adhere to sustainable brewing practices, generating 40 percent of their electricity through solar panels and reusing all of their wastewater to irrigate their hop fields. They even resurrected a near-extinct style of beer—German Gose.

At 60 miles from our inn, a trip to this seminal brewery makes for a fun excursion. And if you fancy yourself a craft beer aficionado, we highly recommend visiting.