Living the van life has been a dream come true and 3 months on the road has been the perfect way to explore new places. We have experienced  jaw dropping sunsets,  tarantulas meandering by our cook stove in the dessert and  aw-inspiring landscapes. It truly has been incredible but weeks without a hot shower had us craving for warm water.   That is when we decided to spend  two amazing nights at the Little River Inn. The Little River Inn turned out to be the perfect retreat  for our family. Here are  8 reasons your family should vacation at the Little River Inn  in Mendocino, California


8 Reasons to Vacation at the Little River Inn in Mendocino, California


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Full Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with Little River Inn. All views in the post are 100% our own.

Affordable, family friendly and luxurious  

The    Little River Inn in Mendocino , California combines  family friendly, affordability and  luxury all into one sweet package. The     family run inn  is such a great spot for so many activities. Those on a budget can check out their specials  to enjoy the inn at a reduced rate. Their current deal, where families can ride the Christmas Train and stay at the Little River Inn, is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays. Learn more about their specials and packages here. 

Play on the sand while soaking up the beautiful Pacific coastline  

Spend the afternoon at Van Damme Beach located walking distance from Little River Inn. Van Damme Beach is also  a great place to launch sea kayaks or to enjoy stand up paddle boarding. Another beautiful beach option is  the white sandy  Seaside Beach located a 30 minute drive from the Inn.

 

Hike the Pristine Mendocino Coastline

Hike the pristine Mendocino  coastline.  The views in this area are incredible and most of the ocean side hikes are a great distance for families.   The Haul Road at Big River is stroller friendly and the Jug Handle State Preserve is a great educational science hike for older kids.  The Fairy Trail inside the Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg is such a magical place for littles to explore. To avoid driving one day,  hike the    Fern Canyon Scenic trail that starts directly from Little River Inn.

Ride the Historic Skunk Train  along the World Famous Redwood Route

Take a ride through the World Famous Redwood Route on Mendocino’s Skunk Train.  It was mentioned before but truly is a great reason to come to Mendocino and stay at Little River Inn. The tracks pass through  the  California Redwoods, ride along the beautiful Mendocino coastline and   past  award winning vineyards. Over the Christmas season the Skunk train becomes a magical Christmas Skunk train with hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa.

Photo credit: Little River Inn

Golf  on a course adorned with Rewoods, Pine Trees and Ocean Views 

The semi-private  golf course at Little River Inn is open year round and was founded in 1957. The beautiful 9 hole course offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean,   runs through Redwoods and Pine trees and it is common to see wildlife such as deer and birds. Play the 9 holes or go through the course twice to put in a full 18 rounds.  Spend time refining golf skills on the driving range before heading on the course. 

Rentals:  Free for guests at the hotels alothought most seasoned golfers may prefer to bring their own clubs.

Cost: Reserve ahead of time here and book your tee session. 9 holes is $25 and  18 holes is $40.

Learn more about golfing at Little River Inn here. 

Enjoy the fresh air and play Tennis

Play Tennis on Little River Inn’s court by booking a session for free which includes rackets and tennis balls. This is a great way to entertain older kids  during the day to give you some down time or  challenge your partner to a game .

 Relax and enjoy the simple coastal life

Simply Relax. The Little River Inn is the perfect place for unwinding and relaxing. The charming inn is located on the cliff side and all of the rooms have an ocean view. Enjoy drinking morning coffee on the balcony or endulging in  Mendocinno country wine in the evening while watching the  sunset.  The Little River Inn offers a variety of room configurations including  some with fireplaces and jacuzzis which allow for a more luxurious experience.

Enjoy delicious eats at Little River Inn restaurant

The Little River Inn Restaurant boasts an impressive  menu  created by Executive Chef Marc Dym.  Meals such as the Local Petrale Sole Almodine dish combines pan sauteed gulf shrimp, almonds and brown butter sauce  in an  extravagant dish seved with orzo pilaf and sugar snap peas that will not disapoint your pallet.   The restaurant serves quality food for kids including Kid’s Steak, Kid’s Chicken Breast  but also the regulars  such as grilled  cheese and “Plain Old Pasta”.   Our family endulged in  the chef specials like the Confit Pork “Osso Busso” but  the restaurant also serves bar favourites such as  Ole’s Classic  Burger.

Open for Breakfast and Dinner. Dishes range from $12.00-$35.00.

Learn more about the Little River Inn restaurant here.

Looking for beautiful hikes for your family? Check out our Hikes for Family section!

Hiking Trails for Kids

Want to learn more about us? Learn about my family and I on our About Us Page!

Meet the Mangs
Photo Credit: Little River Inn
By Annika Mang
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