RECHARGE AND RELAX IN MENDOCINO COUNTY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Peaceful Northern California Destination Offers Perfect Blend
of Small Town Charm & Fabulous Food

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. (September 2008) – People have been coming to Mendocino County for years for the breathtaking views, award-winning wines, whale-watching, and wonderful food, but at the holidays a kind of magical feeling descends over the County’s towns and villages. Mendocino County’s New England charm works overtime at this time of year, with Victorians twinkling with lights, a roaring fire in every fireplace, and a warm, small-town feeling of holiday cheer enveloping everyone.

Come Celebrate! Events this holiday season include:

Holiday Lights Parade - Fort Bragg, CA
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Lighted parade with Christmas tree lighting, carolers, and Santa in downtown Fort Bragg. Free to all. For further information: (707) 961-6300; www.fortbragg.com.

Annual Mendocino Coast Candlelight Inn Tour
December 10th – 12th, 2008
The inns of Mendocino County’s ocean-side towns celebrate the holiday season with gorgeous and extravagant old-fashioned decorations and open-house hospitality. Benefits Mendocino Coast Children through Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Mendocino Unified School Enrichment (MUSE). One ticket includes all the days and light refreshments at the inns. To purchase tickets or for more information call (707) 964-1228 or e-mail, bbbf@mcn.org.

Ukiah’s Annual Small Town Christmas – Ukiah, CA
Saturday, December 6th, 2008
Celebrate this wonderful time of year with your family and friends at Small Town Christmas in Downtown Ukiah. Have a photo taken with Santa, enjoy local performers, and stop by our local shops. There will be live entertainment in the Alex R. Thomas Plaza followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Call for more information (707) 462-4705; www.cityofukiah.com.

Annual Willits Holiday Crafts Fair – Willits, CA
December 12th – 13th, 2008
Shop for art and handmade craft items at the Willits Community Center. Homemade food will be on offer and local musicians will perform. Free to all comers. Children’s crafts fair on Saturday. For more information, call (707) 459-3411; www.willits.org/events.htm.

Skunk Train Christmas Train – Willits, CA
December 6th-7th, December 13th – 23rd, 2008
A yuletide favorite of children and adults alike! Join Santa and his elves on a 90-minute magical ride through the light-strung trees of the redwood forest. Enjoy hot chocolate & homemade cookies while listening to strolling musicians and engaging storytellers. Pajamas welcome! Departs Willits Station twice a day at 3:30pm and 6:30pm. Fares: $31 for adults and $24 for children (ages 3 to 11). For more information and reservations, call 1-866-45-SKUNK or visit www.skunktrain.com.

Annual Christmas Eve Celebration "The Festival of Nine Lessons” – Gualala, CA
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008
Mendocino County’s version of a tradition that has been offered each year since 1919 at King's College Chapel, Cambridge, England, will feature the Anchor Bay Children's Choir and other musicians. At the Gualala Arts Center in Gualala. For further information call (707) 884-1138; www.gualalaarts.org.

Christmas Day Open House at the Ford House Museum – Mendocino Village, CA
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
A classic Mendocino tradition, the Christmas Day open house at the Ford House Museum in Mendocino Village offers visitors home-made cinnamon buns, hot coffee and spiced cider in front of a crackling fire. The museum serves as the welcome center for the glorious Mendocino Headlands State Park. Call (707) 937-5397 for more information; www.mendoparks.org/Mendocino-Headlands/the_mendocino_headlands_ford_h.HTM.

Christmas Day Whale Watching at the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse Museum – Mendocino Village, CA
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
Stop by the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse Museum and gift shop and learn about the history of Mendocino County, while watching for whales out the window. For information call (707) 937-6122; www.pointcabrillo.org/events.htm.

Get Your Shopping Done

Mendocino County has accommodations to suit every taste and budget, and at this time of year, many of them also feature fantastic holiday shopping specials. Here are just two:

Charming Joshua Grindle Inn in downtown Mendocino Village offers a very special rate on their rooms from December 1st through 22nd, along with exclusive discounts for guests at local shops – with a parlor full of wrapping paper awaiting you on your return so you can package your treasures. Holiday music, décor and goodies also help set the tone. Call (800) GRINDLE; www.joshgrin.com.

The fabulous Little River Inn offers their popular Holiday Shopping Spree package again this year – from November 30th through December 18th. The package includes dinner for two at the casual yet elegant Little River Inn restaurant, discount coupons from boutiques and galleries in Mendocino Village, and a holiday welcome gift.
Call (888) INN LOVE; www.littleriverinn.com.

Feast on Local Delicacies

From rare local mushrooms to succulent crabs and delicious California huckleberries, here are some teasers about what some local chefs are planning for their holiday menus.

Patrona Restaurant and Bar in downtown Ukiah crafts creative yet delicious dishes from local ingredients such as foraged wild mushrooms, chestnuts from the Anderson Valley and lamb from the Potter Valley. Serving the largest collection of Mendocino wines by the glass in the Redwood Valley. (707) 462-9181; www.patronarestaurant.com.

Chef Barry Horton of the award-winning vegetarian Ravens’ Restaurant, located at the Stanford Inn by the Sea just south of Mendocino Village, cooks up a vegan Christmas dinner inspired by their on-site organic gardens and sweeping views. This year’s confections include homeade spinach and tomato pasta with zucchini ribbons atop béchamel sauce, tart tatin with vanilla cinnamon ice cream, and roasted pear granita, As always, their famous mulled Mendocino wine will flow. (800) 331-8884; www.stanfordinn.com/ravens.html.

The restaurant at the venerable Mendocino Hotel and Garden Suites in downtown Mendocino Village, now headed by Executive Chef Drew Ison, has been getting raves from foodies. Chef Drew’s Christmas dinner menu will offer such delights as Angus prime rib, roasted pumpkin soup and warm ginger cake. (800) 548-0513; www.mendocinohotel.com/restaurant-bar.php.

Renowned Chef Rosemary Campiformio of the European-style, handcrafted St. Orres Inn, situated on the wonderfully unhectic South Coast of the County, has been creating cuisine that draws on the diversity and richness of her particular part of the County for more than two decades. “Wild” is the word at holiday meals – with menus that typically include foraged local mushrooms and game that has been caught nearby.
(707) 884-3335; www.saintorres.com/diningroom.html.


For more information on spending the holidays in Mendocino County, call (866) 782-9636 (866 STAY-MENDO), or visit: http://www.gomendo.com