Discover the Mendocino Coast
Scenic beaches, quaint coastal towns, majestic redwoods and the nearby Anderson Valley wine country, all from your home base in Irish Beach.
A Taste of the Mendocino Coast
From cozy coastal cafés and fresh-caught seafood to unforgettable oceanfront dining, discover some of our favorite places to eat.
(The Mendocino Coast is known for its charming small towns and relaxed pace of life, where many restaurants and businesses operate on limited schedules. Days and hours of operation can vary considerably from one establishment to another, so we recommend confirming hours before heading out. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the wonderful dining options along the coast, but rather a collection of some of our local favorites, offering something for every taste and occasion.)
ManchesterMinutes away
Your closest stop for groceries, snacks and drinks, just down Highway 1.
Point ArenaAbout 10 minutes
A community-owned organic market with local wine and beer, plus a cozy cafe for breakfast burritos, soups, sandwiches and espresso.
A beloved little bakery with seasonal pastries and house-made jams. Cash or check only, and it sells out early.
A warm, intimate izakaya with grilled skewers, seasonal small plates and a thoughtful sake list.
Local seafood with sunset views at Arena Cove, plus a market and deli for picnic supplies.
Brick-oven pizza, salads and local beer and wine with ocean-view seating at the cove.
A classic roadside breakfast spot near the lighthouse turnoff, perfect before a morning walk.
ElkAbout 20 minutes
A Michelin-starred oceanfront dining room with a tasting menu built on foraged, farmed and fished local ingredients. Reservations essential.
A cozy ocean-view spot serving seasonal plates made with local ingredients, plus Anderson Valley wines.
Gualala & Anchor BayAbout 30 minutes
A storybook inn with onion domes, serving North Coast cuisine with local fish, wild game and foraged mushrooms.
A friendly, family-run cafe known for sandwiches, homemade desserts and good coffee.
Fresh, locally caught seafood with lingcod tacos as the crowd favorite.
A full-service grocery and the best stop on the south end for a big stock-up.
Albion, Little River & Mendocino45 to 55 minutes
A romantic clifftop dining room with sweeping ocean views, bistro cooking and live jazz.
A historic seaside inn known for Ole's Swedish hotcakes, classic seafood dinners and the cozy Whale Watch Bar.
A Mendocino institution in an 1893 farmhouse, with French-Californian dinners, morning pastries and wood-fired pizza.
A sunny village cafe with scratch-made pastries, bagels and organic coffee.
Creative vegetarian cooking with a Southern twist, paired with natural wines.
Fort BraggAbout 1 hour
Home of Red Seal and Old Rasputin, with hearty pub fare and a dog-friendly garden.
The day's catch straight off their own boat in Noyo Harbor, for lunch on the water or fish to grill at the house.
Sip & Savor Anderson Valley
Discover exceptional Pinot Noir, sparkling wines, and charming family-owned wineries tucked among the rolling hills and redwoods.
A toast to your stay, cheers from your hosts!
For wine lovers, visit the nearby Anderson Valley just 40 minutes up the scenic Highway 128, with more than 30 wineries and tasting rooms. A perfect day trip for those who love to sip and explore.
The Anderson Valley Wine Route
Highway 128 winds inland from the coast through redwoods and rolling vineyards to the small towns of Navarro, Philo and Boonville, with tasting rooms just minutes apart along the way. The valley’s cool, foggy climate is known for elegant Pinot Noir, world-class sparkling wine and crisp Alsatian-style whites like Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris.
- Many tasting rooms ask that you book ahead, especially on weekends.
- Cell service is spotty along parts of Highway 128, so download the map before you go.
- Choose a designated driver, or book a local wine tour and let someone else take the wheel.
A Few of Our FavoritesAbout 40 minutes
A family-owned Philo winery since 1982, pouring Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, aromatic whites and sparkling wine in a garden courtyard. Dog friendly, too.
A family-owned favorite for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Alsatian-style whites, with picnic tables and local cheeses.
World-class sparkling wine poured with sweeping vineyard views.
A pioneering craft brewery with a relaxed taproom and on-site-only seasonal releases.
Adventures Along the Coast
From historic lighthouses and scenic rail adventures to botanical gardens and wildlife encounters, there’s something for everyone.
- Point Arena Lighthouse & MuseumClimb the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast, just up the road from Irish Beach.
- B. Bryan PreserveA nature preserve near Point Arena that is home to giraffes, zebras and rare antelope. Tours by reservation.
- Mendocino Coast Botanical GardensForty-seven acres of gardens running right down to the ocean.
- The Skunk Train & Rail BikesRide vintage rails or pedal a rail bike through the redwoods from Fort Bragg.
- Point Cabrillo Light StationA beautifully restored 1909 light station with a museum and whale-watching bluffs.
- Fort Ross State Historic ParkA reconstructed Russian-era fort on a dramatic stretch of coast to the south.
Discover Your Stretch of Paradise
Enjoy exclusive access to our community’s private Irish Beach, then venture out to discover hidden coves, dramatic cliffs, and miles of spectacular coastline.
As our guest, you have access to the community's private, gated Irish Beach, just a 3 minute drive (or 15 to 20 minute walk) from each of our homes. A gate pass is provided with every stay. There is a flat gravel parking lot right at the beach entrance, steps from the sand.
Along Highway 1 there are countless coastal access points and scenic spots to explore. Here are a few of our favorites.
Photos: Mendocino Headlands by Daderot (CC0); Bowling Ball Beach by Lisa Redfern (CC BY-SA 3.0); Glass Beach via Pexels; Van Damme by Don DeBold (CC BY 2.0); Schooner Gulch by Sharon Mollerus (CC BY 2.0); Point Arena Pier by Bob Wick, BLM (public domain); Point Arena Lighthouse by Frank Schulenburg (CC BY-SA 4.0). Via Wikimedia Commons unless noted; cropped to fit.
- Private Irish BeachOur community's gated sandy beach, a 3 minute drive or 15 minute walk from each home, with a flat gravel lot steps from the sand.
- Manchester State ParkMiles of wild, windswept beach and dunes just north of Irish Beach.
- Point Arena Fishing PierA historic pier at Arena Cove, great for sunsets, fishing and watching the surf.
- Bowling Ball BeachFamous for its rows of round boulders revealed at low tide. Check the tide chart before you go.
- Schooner Gulch State BeachA short trail leads down to a dramatic, secluded cove.
- Greenwood Creek State BeachA beautiful creek-mouth beach in the charming town of Elk.
- Navarro River Redwoods State ParkTowering redwoods lining the river on the scenic drive along Highway 128.
- Van Damme State BeachA sheltered cove popular with kayakers, near the Fern Canyon trail.
- Mendocino Headlands State ParkClifftop trails wrapping around the historic village of Mendocino.
- Caspar Headlands State ParkQuiet bluffs and a pocket beach just north of Mendocino.
- Noyo HarborA working fishing harbor in Fort Bragg with seafood spots and sea lions.
- Glass BeachFort Bragg's famous shoreline of sea-polished glass.
- MacKerricher State ParkTide pools, a seal-watching point and a coastal boardwalk north of Fort Bragg.
Ready When You Are
Book directly with us for the best rates, or reach out with any questions. We are always happy to help you plan the perfect stay.