Issue link: http://read.turntext.com/i/1035800
14 I N T R O D U C T I O N m e n d o c i n o c o u n t y W E L C O M E T O M E N D O C I N O C O U N T Y t h e N O R T H C O A S T A P L A C E O F B E A U T Y THE NORTH COAST is rich in history, natural resources, and beauty. In 1850, the Baltimore schooner Frolic shipwrecked off the Mendocino Coast, and the explorers found riches more valuable than silk. Towering redwood forests greeted them and Mendocino's redwood lumber industry was born. Thus, a link was opened between this region and the rest of the world. Mendocino Village beautifully maintains its Victorian era ambience. Year-round flower gardens proliferate in the temperate climate. State and recreational parks sustain abalone coves, tidal pools, redwoods and conifers, waterfalls and the unique Pygmy Forest. From Elk to Westport, Highway 1 follows the breathtaking Mendocino coastline. Romantic inns and regional restaurants dot the coast and welcome travelers with hospitality and mouth- watering fare. Turn-of-the-century Fort Bragg, once a company lumber town, now bustles with boutiques, art galleries, cafés, and a fascinating collection of global gifts and home decor both in downtown Fort Bragg and Noyo Harbor. t h e S O U T H C O A S T A P L A C E O F T R A N Q U I L I T Y THE RUGGED AND MAGICAL South Coast of Mendocino beckons the adventurer who wants to breathe the salty, fresh ocean air, catch an ocean breeze on the beach, and take in lingering golden sunsets. Enjoy one of California's most dramatic and vivid coastal drives as Highway One meanders through unhindered dairy lands, rolling golden hills, breathtaking vistas and valleys and over heather and pea farms. It winds up and down rocky coves past unrestrained ocean views and slips silently through tiny coastal villages that beckon the traveler to stop. Romantic Bed & Breakfast Inns on the headlands invite walks to the ocean and whale watching from the terrace. Hidden jewels of restaurants offer fresh-caught fish, organic poultry and beef, local fresh-grown vegetables and herbs. A feeling of timelessness is apparent— from Point Arena, with its landmark lighthouse on the western most point in the lower 48 United States, to the emerald-colored Gualala River bordering Sonoma County. The South Coast is an adventurous and romantic hidden jewel. t h e W I N E C O U N T R Y & N O R T H E R N M E N D O C I N O C O U N T Y INTIMATE INNS, hand-held walks and dinners for two have attracted lovers to the Mendocino County Wine Country for decades. Families, wine connoisseurs and fresh air enthusiasts will find plenty to do here. You can ride a bike or take a hike in a state park, fish the rivers and streams, play golf or tennis, and ride horseback over hill and dale. If you prefer to take it easy, ride the historic Skunk Train or visit the Ridgewood Ranch, home of the famous racehorse Seabiscuit. For a bit of culture, sit back and enjoy an opera, the symphony or live theater. Then meander through art galleries and one- of-a-kind shops, or eat at the charming cafes and elegant restaurants. On the other hand, you may want to try your luck at a friendly casino. Along the way, you'll surely want to sample brandy in Hopland or Ukiah, micro-brew beer in Hopland, Boonville and Ukiah, or champagne and organic wines in the Anderson and Redwood Valleys. If earth- friendly living appeals to you, check out Campovida Garden of Gardens in Hopland and play with the latest in solar technology at the Real Goods Solar Living Institute and one-of-a- kind Marketplace.