Top choice
Among the best community museums in this half of the state. It puts the lives of early settlers in excellent historical context – much drawn from old letters – and there’s an entire 1930s soda fountain and historic dental clinic inside. You could spend an hour perusing Pomo basketry and artifacts, or reading about local scandals.
Outside, the Roots of Motive Power (www.rootsofmotivepower.com) exhibit occasionally demonstrates steam logging and machinery.
Grace Hudson Museum & Sun House
19.79 MILES
One block east of State St, the collection’s mainstays are paintings by Grace Hudson (1865–1937). Her sensitive depictions of Pomo people and other…
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
24.8 MILES
This gem of Northern California displays native flora, rhododendrons and heritage roses. The succulent display alone is amazing and the organic garden is…
16.35 MILES
Sustainably grown, harvested and produced, ‘America’s Greenest Winery’ offers affordable, bold, earthy reds. The tasting room, lined in brick with low…
24.36 MILES
Sample standout (and organic!) Pinot Gris, Valdiguié and Pinot Noir from a stunning hilltop tasting room tucked into the forest.
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
12.55 MILES
Two miles west of Orr Hot Springs, this 2743-acre reserve protects some of the best old-growth redwood groves within a day’s drive from San Francisco. A 2…
26.46 MILES
In a dramatic, rub-your-eyes-in-disbelief-beautiful location on a bluff over the sea, the wines here don't get pros excited but they are perfectly…
23.05 MILES
One of the most visitor-friendly options around with award-winning Pinot Noir and dry Gewürztraminer; has twice-daily free tours (10:30am and 2pm;…
22.59 MILES
The oldest vineyard in the valley serves exquisite tastings inside a rose-covered cottage.
5.54 MILES
Willits’ most famous resident was the champion racehorse Seabiscuit, who grew up here. Three-hour tours of his former ranch are available by reservation…
2. Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
12.55 MILES
Two miles west of Orr Hot Springs, this 2743-acre reserve protects some of the best old-growth redwood groves within a day’s drive from San Francisco. A 2…
16.35 MILES
Sustainably grown, harvested and produced, ‘America’s Greenest Winery’ offers affordable, bold, earthy reds. The tasting room, lined in brick with low…
4. Jackson Demonstration State Forest
17.21 MILES
Fifteen miles west of Willits on Hwy 20, this forest offers day-use recreational activities, including hiking trails and mountain-biking. You can also…
5. Grace Hudson Museum & Sun House
19.79 MILES
One block east of State St, the collection’s mainstays are paintings by Grace Hudson (1865–1937). Her sensitive depictions of Pomo people and other…
6. City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
21.69 MILES
The showpiece here is the ornate temple with its 10,000 golden Buddha statues, elsewhere enjoy pretty courtyards, lush landscaping and decorative peacocks…
22.59 MILES
The oldest vineyard in the valley serves exquisite tastings inside a rose-covered cottage.
22.95 MILES
The best reason to come here is to view the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired tasting room, which was built from a single fallen redwood trunk. The Pinot Noir…