Page 62 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021 DISCOVERING MENDOCINO

into one-of-a-kind guest lodgings. area’s beauty and opening of the Mendocino
Many of the historic homes, cottages, and Art Center in 1950, began revitalizing the
other buildings, especially in the center of town. Mendocino is now home to an excep-
town, are now tourist-oriented retail bou- tional artistic community. The powerful com-
tiques, art galleries, restaurants, and ice cream bination of art, culture, climate, and natural
shops. Today most of these historic structures beauty also served as a magnet for tourism.
are well cared for, tho it wasn’t always that During normal times the Village hosts year-
way. Many buildings and homes fell into disre- round art, food, and drink festivals to enter-
pair during the Great Depression. As happens tain visitors from around the world.
in many cities and towns, artists, drawn by the

62 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2021