mendocino
coastal escape
date: Jan. 30– Feb. 1, 2026
location: Elk + Mendocino, CA
camera: Leica Q2 + LeicaLUX App
Pure Mendocino Magic
The drive through towering trees opened up to the dramatic coastline, leading us to Harbor House Inn in Elk for two nights. The town is so tiny it doesn't even have a gas station—just the kind of quiet escape we needed. After checking in, we strolled the property and settled by the fire pit on the deck with a crisp glass of white wine. The view was so captivating we stayed put, working our way through the complimentary bottle of bubbles while soaking up the ocean air. When we finally returned to our room, the staff had set up our in-room dining—a meal that wildly exceeded expectations, paired with a delicious bottle of cab franc.
The next morning brought a lovely breakfast in the quaint main dining room overlooking the ocean. We walked down the many tiny, winding stairs to the secluded private rocky beach, breathing in the fresh air and collecting shells before heading north to Little River for massages. Thoroughly relaxed, we continued to the small town of Mendocino, not quite sure what to expect. Walking around revealed hidden gems—an art collective warehouse called The Valerie with a pop-up soup maker serving incredible tom kha, a natural wine bar called Dorsal, and other quaint shops that rewarded our wandering.
Back at the hotel, we rested before freshening up for dinner, stopping at the fire pit to watch the sunset paint the sky. That night we were treated to Harbor House's famous 12-course dinner featuring local and sustainable ingredients—everything impeccable and delicious. After our first glass of bubbles, we perused the wine list and were delighted to find several bottles from the Jura region of France. We chose a unique white that paired perfectly throughout the meal.
Our last morning brought another wonderful breakfast followed by more relaxation around the property. The scenic drive home along Highway 1 let my husband enjoy the winding tight turns while I soaked in the views. One last stop at Spud Point Crab Co for fresh crab and chowder, and our trip was complete.
Not sure I could have asked for a better time.
