The first county in the US to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Mendocino has long been recognized as being eco-friendly and environmentally-oriented. In fact, Mendocino County has been at it so long, they have actually advanced living in harmony with the earth to the point where it is positively luxurious.

• Tour an Organic Winery and Taste. Mendocino County grows the highest percentage of organic grapes of any place in the U.S. With the most family-owned wineries and the oldest organic vineyards, tasting is almost always still free. Mendocino County also boasts the first organic brew pub in the world – the Ukiah Brewing Co. The PURE Mendocino Festival in August and Mendocino Bounty in June showcase organic Mendocino food and wine.
• Behold the Wonder of Whales. California Grays, Humpbacks and Orcas can be seen migrating north along the Mendocino Coast from March through April, then returning south from late September through December. Three weekend festivals are dedicated to whales in March and April in Fort Bragg, Mendocino Village and Gualala.
• Savor the Taste of Northern California or Tour an Organic Farm. Mendocino County yields delectable edibles year ‘round, including mushrooms, crab, and salmon. Tour an organic farm and see how local farmers maximize flavor while minimizing resources, then visit a Mendocino County restaurant and enjoy world-class cuisine prepared with local produce and paired meticulously with local wines. Farmers’ Markets throughout the county sell fabulous local organic produce, cheese, seafood, and meat.
• Hug a Tree. Some of the world’s tallest redwood trees rise up to heaven in Mendocino County – the county with the highest percentage of certified sustainable forest in the U.S. Visit Jackson State Demonstration Forest and learn first hand how Mendocino County is making sustainable forestry a reality. Mendocino’s many state parks feature waterfalls, bike and hiking trails, wildflowers, wild mushrooms and historic exhibits.
• Visit the Only Coastal Botanical Gardens on the Continent. Discover 47 acres of beauty and serenity while strolling in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens by the sea. An easy half-mile walk takes you from well-tended gardens, through a fern-filled canyon, to spectacular vistas at the ocean’s edge. A must for bird-watchers and picnickers alike! Winesong!, Mendocino’s acclaimed wine auction takes place at the gardens in September.
• Go Solar. The Hopland-based Solar Living Institute is one of the premiere places in the world to learn how to minimize your energy impact on the earth. They offer everything from classes on making your home solar, to how to retrofit your car to run on bio-fuels, to workshops on energy-efficient building, organic gardening and more. Their increasingly popular annual SolFest celebration in August is educational and fun for the whole family.

• Rolling Down the Big River. Take a kayak down the Big River, Northern California’s largest undeveloped estuary, owned by the people of California. Comprising 7,334 prime acres of river, estuary, wetlands, and forest, the natural beauty of this area is unparalleled. Rent a kayak from Catch-A-Canoe just north of Mendocino Village and ride in a boat that is handcrafted locally from a single piece of wood! Landlubbers can bike or hike up the old logging road next to Big River.

• Relax at an Eco-Spa. Enjoy a massage or a facial at one of the many spas in Mendocino County that offer environmentally friendly products and services and make use of the very finest organic botanicals and ecologically sensitive methods. Go to www.gomendo.com and search for spas to learn more.

• Green to a Tee. The Little River Golf Course is a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program which recognizes golf courses that protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and provide wildlife habitats. Plus, the ocean views are pretty darn amazing. Go to www.gomendo.com and search for golf.

• Sleep Between Organic Cotton Sheets. Many of the b&bs, inns, hotels and rental properties in Mendocino County have been designed for the environmentally conscious traveler, combining modern amenities with eco-friendly products and services, such as organic bedding, water filtration systems, non-toxic biodegradable and non-allergenic cleaning products, and low impact waste practices. Go to www.gomendo.com and search for “green” to learn more.

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