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Elk and Surrounding Towns: |
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1. Elk is the small town where our wedding venue is located. It has spectacular coast with rock stacks, a driftwood-strewn beach, a local history museum, and several charming businesses. There is very little lodging in Elk, so if this is your priority, try to book quickly!
2. & 3. Albion and Little River are small villages about 15 and 20 minutes from the Ranch. They are made up of mostly hotels and associated restaurants that cater to visitors, and have lots of amazing coastal views. 4. Manchester/Irish Beach is a community of largely vacation homes about 15 minutes from the Ranch. They tend to be modern and reasonably priced, with beautiful coastal views. There are pretty much no other services (gas, restaurants, etc) here. 5. Mendocino is the largest town in this area. The town is picturesque and charming, and is about 25 minutes from the Ranch. There are many restaurants, shops, and other services if you’re looking to stay in a vacation town. We have not listed accommodations here, but there are many inns and hotels. |
Travel Tips |
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Elk is about 3 hours north of San Francisco, so we're recommending the following tips for enjoying the trip:
1. Avoid making the drive at night. Hwy 128 and Hwy 1 (for the really adventurous) are very windy and are a complete drag to drive after dark, particularly when you add in the combination of potential fog and wildlife. However, they are extremely picturesque and beautiful during the day, which takes us to Tip 2... 2. Add in an extra hour of time to enjoy the drive. Assuming that you are taking tip 1 seriously, definitely allow time to enjoy the breathtaking views. Hwy 128 has plenty of wineries, breweries, vistas, nature, and other quaint places to stop. 3. We recommend having your flight arrive the day before the drive up, or at least before noon if you're planning to drive the same day. See Tip 1 (wink, wink). If your flight is arriving in the evening, it‘s probably best to stay over night in the Bay Area and drive to Elk the next day. 4. Fill up the gas tank!! There is gas in Philo (on Hwy 128) and in Mendocino. There aren't many options on Hwy 1, so plan accordingly. We usually fill up the tank in Cloverdale (off 101) just before taking the 128 exit. Sarah’s favorite stop: if you need a potty break on 128, in Boonville, there's a weird laundromat called the Pic-n-Pay market on the right-hand side, behind a market that is a good bathroom pit-stop. 5. Pack layers of clothing. You might be thinking, “Hey it's June. It's near the beach. Shorts and T-Shirts!" Not the case. The Northern Californian Coast is quite unique in that it can be 60 degrees by the ocean and 90 degrees just a few miles inland. There's fascinating science behind this, but we'll spare you the details for now. If you're planning on visiting wineries and valleys, the weather will be warm. Once you're at the coast, it could potentially be windy and cool. |
Lodging / Hotels: |
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Elk Cove Inn, 6300 S Hwy 1, Elk, 1-800-275-2967
http://www.elkcoveinn.com Coastal views. Rooms include a decanter of port, chocolates, and fresh flowers, as well as a welcome basket of wine, fresh fruit, and fresh oatmeal cookies. Offers a full breakfast buffet. Rates range from $160-$395. Sacred Rock Resort, 5910 Hwy 1, Elk, (707)877-3422 BOOKED http://www.sacredrockresort.com/ Right behind the local eatery/pub, Bridget Dolan’s. Individual cottages, built in the 1920s, have coastal views. Include private bathrooms with bathrobes and claw foot tubs. Breakfast is served on a tray between 8:30 and 9:30 am right to your door. SPECIAL WEDDING RATE: 3 ocean-front rooms available for $234/night. 3 garden cottages available for $130/night. Two night minimum, includes breakfast. Book before April 1, 2017, and mention “Sarah Press wedding” to secure discounted rate. Rooms will be released to other clients on April 1. Albion River Inn, 3790 N Hwy 1, Albion, 800-479-7944 http://www.albionriverinn.com/ We stayed here and really enjoyed it. Albion River Inn has 22 oceanfront guestrooms and cottages. The bar specializes in Scotch and offers tasting flights. Rooms include luxurious king or queen beds, cozy fireplaces and easy chairs, and a half-bottle of local wine. Includes a full breakfast in the dining room, overlooking a beautiful garden with views of the ocean and Albion River. Rates range from $195-$375. Cottages at Little River Cove, 7533 N Hwy 1, Little River (707)937-5339 http://www.cottagesatlittlerivercove.com/ Individual cottages with full kitchens, and a gorgeous setting overlooking an unspoiled cove. Pet-friendly. Cottages accommodate 4 people. Rates run from $259-$299. Heritage House Resort, 5200 N Hwy 1 Little River, CA 95456 http://www.heritagehouseresort.com/ https://www.vrbo.com/4375102ha Oceanfront hotel and resort. Rooms starting at $300. Dennen’s Victorian Farmhouse, 7001 N Hwy 1, Little River, 800-264-4723 http://www.victorianfarmhouse.com John Dennen built Dennen’s Victorian Farmhouse in 1877 for himself, his wife Dora, and their family. Situated on two coastal acres. 12 guestrooms with feather beds, big fluffy towels and a gourmet breakfast to your room each morning. Seems to be universally loved; we have never stayed here. Rates range from $179 - $289 per night. Glendeven Inn, 8221 N Hwy 1, Little River, (707)937-0083 http://www.glendeven.com This 1867 country estate sits on a headland meadow just above Van Damme State Park. Ocean views and gardens. 10 rooms available and a guest cottage that ranges from $145-$410. Inn at Schoolhouse Creek, 7051 N Hwy 1, Little River, (707)937-5525 http://www.schoolhousecreek.com The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek was constructed in 1932 after the completion of Highway 1. Rates include a full breakfast (except offsite ocean cliffside cottages), use of the Inn’s ocean view hot tub in the meadow, evening wine and food pairings, and use of Farmhouse parlor with library, videos & games. Rates range from $149 - $350. Very pet friendly. NOTE: The restaurant here, Circa ‘62, has one of our very favorite breakfasts - and an array of hot sauce that will blow your mind. And blow up your tastebuds. Little River Inn, 7751 N Hwy 1, Little River, (707)937-5942 http://www.littleriverinn.com Began as a family home built in the 1850s by Silas Coombs, a lumberman from Maine, the inn is now run by the fourth generation of the family. 10 room types, ranging from $225-295. Site offers tennis courts and a nine-hole regulation course with cart and clubs for rent. |
Lodging / Houses: |
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ELK
Katherine Smith Farmhouse BOOKED Sleeps 6. 3 BR, 1.5 BR. $195/night. Vista de la Playa Studio. Sleeps 2. $268/night. Safe at Anchor Dog Friendly w/ Hot Tub 2BR / 1.5 BA. Sleeps up to 6. $295/night. White Water Views BOOKED Ocean views. 3 BR, 2.5 BA. Sleeps up to 7. Average $200/night. Check rate at VRBO. Whitewater Cove BOOKED FOR MONTH Ocean views and big fireplace. 2 BR/2 BA. Sleeps 4. Average $311/night. Check rate at VRBO. LITTLE RIVER/ALBION Pacific Mists BOOKED FRI the 16th Joel and Sarah have stayed here. It’s wonderful! Hot Tub / Oceanfront / Dog Friendly. 2 BR / Sleeps 4. $420/night. The Tower House Low frills. 2 BR / Sleeps up to 6. $240/night. Relaxing Ocean View BOOKED Albion Ocean view with deck and hot tub. Sleeps 6. 3 BR. 2 BA. $275/night. 2 night min Edge of the Sea Albion Ocean front with hot tub. Sleeps 8. 3 BR. 2 BA. $423/night. 2 night min Oceanfront Getaway BOOKED Albion Ocean view with deck and hot tub. Sleeps 8. 2 BR. 3 BA. $400/night. 1 night min MANCHESTER/IRISH BEACH Oceanfront, Panoramic View Oceanfront. Pet friendly. Sleeps 8. 3 BR/2 BA. Sleeps 4. $265/night. Wave Watch Ocean views. Sleeps 8. 4 BR/3 BA. Sleeps 4. $300/night. Tranquil Irish Beach Chalet BOOKED Hot tub. Sleeps 8. 4 BR/3 BA. Sleeps 4. $250/night. Friedrichs’ Beach House BOOKED Joel and Sarah stayed here and loved it! Great hot tub. 3 BR, 2 BA. Additional loft with a queen and twin bed. $295/night + fees. Cozy meadow and ocean views 2 BR, 2.5 BA. Sleeps up to 6. $183/night. Paradise Found BOOKED Hot tub, lighthouse views. 2 BR/2 BA. Sleeps 4. $212/night. MENDOCINO Bag End BOOKED for Saturday June 17 A “hobbit hole” with pretty wild decor. 2 BR/1.5 BA. Sleeps 4. $350/night. Prancing Pony BOOKED for Saturday June 17 Fairytale cottage on the same property as Bag End. 2 BR/1 BA. Sleeps 4. $307/night. Redwood Rest BOOKED Big deck, hot tub, fireplace. In the redwoods. 2 BR + loft/2 BA. Sleeps up to 6. $332/night. Carole’s Cove BOOKED 3 BR/1.5 BA. Sleeps 6. $350/night. Whale Song BOOKED FRI the 16th Hot tub, close to beach. Ocean views. 3 BR/2 BA. Sleeps 6. $390/night. FIND YOUR OWN! These are selected properties we thought looked good. If you’d like to try your luck or expand your search, these are the sites we have used to find rentals in the past: Vacasa.com Airbnb.com VRBO.com |
How Long Should You Stay? |
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As you plan for flights, here are some potential itineraries to help you plan how much time you’d like to spend in Northern California. There is lots to do!
Very short trip
Short trip
Longer trips There is easy opportunity, once you’re here, to check out several wine regions, craft beer hubs, redwood and coastal hiking, coastal villages, lighthouses, artisan cheesemakers… You could easily fill up to five days with fun, memorable, and beautiful sight-seeing in this corner of Northern California (Mendocino, Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties). We would love to offer recommendations if you're planning on being around longer. For example:
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Airports: |
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San Francisco - SFO - Offers car rental, lots of flights. 3.5 to 4.5 hour drive to Elk. Involves driving through SF to get to Elk.
Oakland - OAK - Smaller airport, offers car rental. 3 to 4.5 hour drive to Elk. Sacramento - SMF - Smaller airport, offers car rental. 3.5 to 4.25 hour drive to Elk. Santa Rosa - STS - Small regional airport, offers car rental. Direct flights from SAN, LAX. 2 hour drive to Elk. |