Page 201 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SPRING 2025 GRAND VOYAGE

Right in Fort Bragg lies the mar-
velous Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.
Here 47 acres offer four miles of trails, in-
cluding a half-mile walk to the ocean. The
gardens are especially known for their col-
lections of rhododendrons (more than
1,000 bloom from early spring through
June); dahlias that peak in August, Septem-
ber and October; and its extensive Heath
and Heather Collection where 150 species
create color year-round. The paths through
succulents, conifers, magnolias and pines
head to the ocean for a very special
botanical garden.
I visited two lighthouses — Point Arena
Lighthouse and Museum near Manchester,
about a 30-minute drive south from Men-
docino; and Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, im-
mediately north of Russian Gulch.
Lighthouses are always a certain draw, but
here both of these add accommodations —
visitors may stay in historic, restored light
keepers’ houses in both of these light-
houses.
Mendocino has two historic homes
to tour: The Kelley House Museum and the
Ford House Visitor Center.
The Kelley House was built in 1861
for William Kelley and his family who
owned the home for 114 years until it was
sold and converted into a research center
and museum.
In 1975, the home and property were
deeded to the Mendocino Historical Re-
search Inc.(established in 1973), by Robert
O. Peterson, founder of Jack-in-the-Box
who was raised in San Diego where he died
in 1994. Peterson’s father was born in Men-
docino and his grandfather worked at the
original sawmill that started the town in the Top:Fascinating details in Russian Gulch
1860s. forests. The Mendocino Art Center has set
A docent at the Kelley House told me the tone for the town since 1959. Opposite:
that Peterson had also owned the Hill The town of Mendocino is surrounded by
House Hotel and Mendocino Hotel, all of protected bluffs. Bottom left: A bird’s-eye
which he said were given to the town’s his- view of the bluffs off Mendocino. A couple
torical research organization. Both the Hill of cemeteries lie in the town of Mendocino,
where you can learn about some of its
House and the Mendocino Hotel are cur-
citizens.

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