The rugged and enchanting Mendocino Coast draws me to Northern California every year. His setting of one of Mendocino County’s most romantic inns is on a bluff overlooking a cove’s relatively gentle rock arches, teal and cerulean waters, and stunning views of tangerine sunset skies. Seagulls vie for seats on jagged rocks as the force of the Pacific splashes waves onto sea stacks.
If you want to escape for the weekend, eat delicious food, drink memorable wine, relax and get away from everyday life, consider visiting Elk Cove Inn. It’s the perfect weekend getaway on the West Coast.
This visit to Mendocino was hosted at the Elk Cove Inn and all opinions are my own.
View of Elk Cove from the George Burke Suite
Photo credit: Julie Diebold Price
comfort and hospitality
The room key for the George Burke Suite was waiting on the condominium’s outdoor clipboard for touch-free check-in.
Upon arrival, the ocean view room’s large windows set the mood for our stay with daylight pouring in and a tranquil soundscape playing in the background of our flat screen TV.
A plush comforter on the queen bed held the wine and gift baskets that all guests receive at Elk Cove Inn. Port wine, crystal goblets and chocolates on the sideboard rounded out a memorable day on the coast. The fireplace was cozy throughout our stay. A TV tray makes it easy to arrange in-suite dining with a view in the room or on the balcony.
Spa services are available at the European-style day spa on the first floor of the mansion. The library and games room are on his second floor, packed with chairs and sofas for relaxing and reading.
Elk Cove Inn gazebo and guest benches for ceremonies
Photo credit: Julie Diebold Price
history
Elk Cove Inn is a pet-friendly bed and breakfast and craftsman-style mansion that was built in 1883 and was the home of a mill master. In 1968 he became one of the first Bed and Breakfast Inns in Mendocino County.
Surrounded by native bush, the Elk Cove Inn is popular with honeymooners, girls’ getaways, couples, singles and weddings. The gazebo is the setting for a textbook ceremony, and benches built into the side of the hill below provide an unobstructed view.
Surrounded by cattle meadows, redwood forests and sea cliffs, the property is ideally located for beach walks and beach combing. Driftwood is littered on the beach along with shells and flat rocks that are perfect for building a cairn.
A hidden staircase under the building leads in two directions: the beach and the town. A short climb up the hill leads to Greenwood State Beach and Park and the small town of Elk.
Elk Cove Inn Guest Suite
Photo credit: Julie Diebold Price
innkeeper
Elk Cove Inn Co-Owners and General Managers Melissa and Victor are hospitable and friendly hosts. She shares how she came to co-own the property, bragging about their life journey and how much she has accomplished in the two years since owning the ryokan. rice field.
The rabbits, goats, chickens, roosters, and gardens that provide farm-to-table produce come directly from their property. I know they are independent.
Chef Victor brings years of experience and a proven track record to Elk Cove Inn’s restaurant, Sibo. He trained in Quebec and Switzerland, worked in multiple countries and owned many restaurants. During his 25 years of service in Miami, Florida, he was appointed to the advisory board of his Miami Culinary Institute and made significant contributions to the Institute.
While “retired”, Victor prepares gourmet breakfasts and dinners daily for guests and the public at the Elk Cove Inn.
French-born sommelier Melissa has a journalism degree from Texas and has completed all four levels of the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) program. She met Victor when she moved to Miami, where she managed and owned a fine wine distribution company. They specialize in French and Spanish wines adapted to American tastes.
Gourmet breakfast at the Elk Cove Inn
Photo credit: Julie Diebold Price
menu
Elk Cove Inn offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Victor is the only chef in the kitchen and strives for zero waste. Only dishes selected by noon on the day of reservation will be served.
A gourmet breakfast, ordered the night before by guests from an extensive menu, is prepared between 8:30 and 10:30 AM and delivered to the guest suite.
I ordered the scrambled egg bouroulette with parmesan cheese, truffle oil, shallots and crème fraîche. The potato casserole is gluten-free and made with eggs, cream, cheese and herbs.
For dinner, I chose the ranch rabbit, râble de lapin. Her husband ordered the cassoulet de canard, duck thigh confit and smoked pork belly in a rich and delicious sauce. As an appetizer, we were lucky with sautéed champignons, fresh locally harvested mushrooms.
It starts with light meals, followed by appetizers, appetizers, desserts, and homemade plum wine.
All in all our experience at Sibo was memorable and we enjoyed great service in the dining room.
Elk Cove as seen from the Greenwood State Beach Trail
Photo credit: Julie Diebold Price
town
Elk, California, with a population of less than 250, is 22 miles south of Fort Bragg. Originally, a 19th-century logging community was named Greenwood after the brothers who were early settlers.
There are now historic buildings along Highway 1. Founded in 1901, Matson Mercantile is still family owned and operated. They sell everything from ear drops to olive oil, unique gift items, gardening tools, and hardware.
The Greenwood State Beach Visitor Center Museum houses a late 19th-century post office, early settler photographs, period furnishings, and timber camp artefacts. It wasn’t open when we were there due to limited opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Old Hospital House is said to be where Jack London wrote Call of the Wild. There is no account of Jack’s life to support this story, but locals promote it.
The Elk Store is a grocery store and a deli with a twist. Their hand-made sign warns motorists, “There is a dangerous dangerous road ahead. Please stop sandwiches.”
Elk Cove Inn Farm Goat
Photo credit: Julie Diebold Price
how to get there
Mendocino County is about three hours north of San Francisco on Route 101 and about three hours south of Leggett on scenic Highway 1.
The nearest airport is Santa Rosa Airport, a two-hour drive south, and Mendocino County’s small municipal airport is in Little River. Driving is required no matter how you get to this Northern California destination.
The two roads leading from US 101 to Coastal Mendocino, Highway 128 in Cloverdale and Highway 20 from Willits, are winding and perfect for daytime travel. State Highway 128 crosses State Highway 1 and continues along the coast on a two-lane road curve to Elk.
Pro tip: I have visited Mendocino County in the spring and fall. It’s breezy most of the year, but on both visits it was sunny most days with occasional fog. The sunset is spectacular and lasts an hour.
For more information on traveling to California, check out the following articles:
