With a blufftop location above sparkling Mendocino Bay, the Stanford Inn by the Sea is a convenient home base for adventurers of all ages. Beaches and hiking trails are a big draw here on the rugged California coast; you’ll find four state parks within two miles of the property. Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, Too! rents equipment on the resort grounds, complete with specialized gear for pups.
Paddlers are invited to explore 8.3 miles of the Big River Estuary Big River Estuary by kayak, stand-up paddleboard or canoe. Rentals range from sleek Kevlar canoes to hand-crafted outriggers made from reclaimed redwood. Catch A Canoe’s popular canine cruiser positions dogs on a stable middle deck where they can sit, stand or lounge as people do the paddling.
The & Bicycles, Too! side of the businesses supplies travelers with name-brand mountain bikes and comfort cycles with cushier seats. Trail maps detail mileage, topography, trail difficulty levels and GPS coordinates to guide your adventure.
Not everyone is up for waves, wheels and hikes, of course. The Stanford Inn also loans beach pails and shovels to families, while nature walks and property-wide scavenger hunt activities educate youngsters and the young at heart.
One of the inn’s best-kept secrets is the well-stocked bookshop off the lobby, which carries gifts and a book selection that includes several titles by resort team members. Wellness director Sid Garza-Hillman just released “Six Truths,” an accessible, cutting-edge guide to living well. “Dining at the Ravens,” a popular cookbook by owners Jeff and Joan Stanford, features more than 150 vegan recipes from the property’s kitchen.
