Mendocino

No visitor who sees the village of Mendocino rising out of the mists in the morning can remain immune to her charms for long. This quaint town is unique in all of Northern California, perhaps in all the world. Many compare the charms of Mendocino to a New England sea coast hamlet but few places on earth can boast the rare combination of scenic beauty, artistic flare, exquisite cuisine, world class shopping, and friendly locals found here.

Mendocino was born in 1852 when William Kasten, a German immigrant bound for the gold country, was shipwrecked on these rugged shores. The riches of the area, the giant redwoods that literally grew to the sea and the off-shore waters which teamed with fish, convinced early visitors who stumbled upon this Shangri-la to put down roots.

The town began to emerge as an artists' colony a century later when the logging industry began to wane. Live theater and dance, comedy and concerts give the village of Mendocino the distinction of having more artists per capita than any other town in America.

In July each year, the town hosts The Mendocino Music Festival which attracts musicians from the San Francisco Bay area and the music lovers from throughout the country to the tent on the headlands. The spectacular scenic beauty and pristine Headlands State Park, have made Mendocino the backdrop for more than 40 major motion pictures and numerous television commercials through the years.

Young families move here to take advantage of Mendocino's Schools of Excellence, and those who desire an active retirement come for the non-stop cultural and outdoor life this improbable town offers.