The Mendocino Coast is a great location for families to vacation with numerous fun activities for kids and kids at heart. The Mendocino Coast if full of wonderful parks and beach areas where children can discover tide pools, shells, sea glass, sand crabs, star fish and other gems of the ocean.

Upon arrival, children will relish in the homemade, fresh baked cookies, the adorable miniature donkies and our oversize chess set.

When you arrive, ask our Innkeepers for additional family-friendly activities on the coast and they can direct you to the best spots for beaches, hiking or horseback riding along the beach.  

There are many activities detailed on the activities page. Here are a few of the many activities your family can enjoy.

At the Inn

Buckhorn Cove: Take a short walk down to the private beach at Buckhorn Cove just a ¼ mile from the Inn. Peer into tide pools, dance in the spray of blowholes, build sandcastles, chase the waves, and collect colored sea glass, shells and driftwood.

Games & Puzzles: The Inn has a lawn chess game with 2 foot tall pieces. At the Farmhouse we have many board games, puzzles and other fun activities. Take them back to your room or enjoy them in our parlor.

Movies: Cozy up by the fire and watch one of our family friendly movies in your room. Ask our Innkeepers for some popcorn to make it a real treat!

Nearby Activities

Aquatic Center: Everyone on the Coast is elated with the new aquatic center.  It has a two story water slide, kids splash and play zone and a lazy river.  Great for rainy day fun on the coast.  Lots of drop in classes from Yoga and Spinning to Painting.  For schedule and hours see their website:  http://www.mendocoastrec.org/aquatic_center.html

State Parks: Discover our wonderful State Parks by bicycling, horseback riding or scuba diving for abalone. For those on foot, explore the creek and river canyons as well as the headlands and bluffs. Visit waterfalls, ancient marine terraces, a Pygmy Forest and a Fern Canyon. For more information about our local state parks, visit http://www.mendocino.org/html/parks.html

Fly a kite: Bring your own or purchase a kite at the Village Toy Store and play with the wind in our meadows or on the beaches. We can almost always guarantee a breeze!

Seals & Sea lions: Check out the seals and sea lions visible from local beaches. Find out how many rookeries are in the area.

Canoes & Kayaks: Explore the Big River, Albion or Navarro by boat. Rent canoes and kayaks at Big River. Big River is one of the few natural running rivers left and has the longest unspoiled protected estuary in Northern California. Look for osprey, harbor seals, and great blue herons as you wind through salt marshes and make your way along forested canyons.

Biking: Be sure to bring your bikes! Whether on a mountain or road bike, there are a number of outstanding rides, starting right at our front door. Bike rentals are available in the area as well.

Horseback Riding: Go horseback riding along the beach at McKerricher State Park or other local trails. You can bring your own horse or rent one at Ricochet Ridge Ranch.

Whale Watching: Look for gray whales from December to March. Join a whale watching boat excursion from Noyo Harbor or take a Coast Flyers scenic flight from Little River and see whales from the air, as well as lighthouses, redwoods and the rugged coast line.