Hotel at a Glance: Beach House Inn

The Beach House Inn sits along northern California’s scenic Mendocino Coast, within walking distance of Fort Bragg’s Glass Beach. Most guest rooms at the inn have private balconies overlooking the peaceful Pudding Creek Estuary.

• In-room amenities: microwaves, fridges, flat-screen TVs with HBO; some units available with this Getaway have oversized soaking tubs next to the bed.
• Free WiFi throughout the property
• Daily complimentary continental breakfast features items such as pastries, muffins, fresh fruit, coffee, yogurt, oatmeal, and many more.
• Eco-friendly practices include the use of sustainable energy resources and water-conservation methods.
• Privileges at sister property: Head to the nearby Beachcomber Motel and take advantage of a day spa, offering various massages, and bike rentals.

Mendocino Coast, California: Small Towns Along Scenic Oceanfront and Redwood Forests

Northern California’s Mendocino Coast is a region of tiny towns and art colonies with varied terrain. Within a few minutes of one another are sunlit valleys, fertile vineyards, rocky headlands blanketed by fog, and serene forests of old-growth redwoods. The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens showcase the area’s geographical diversity through prickly succulents and colorful blooms stretching to the ocean.

Partially because of its scenic land and sea scapes, the coast is popular with painters, who gather in artists’ collectives such as the Mendocino Art Center. Visitors can see the land that inspires local artwork by heading to any of the region’s coastal state parks. At Mendocino Headlands State Park, waves crash into grottos and stony bluffs, and MacKerricher State Park has dramatic sand dunes.