Downtown Delights: Overlooking the ocean, with white picket fences, tidy gardens, wide sidewalks, and wooden water towers, Mendocino mixes a starched New England style with the breezy soul of California. The 15-minute stroll from
one end of town to the other is the best way to get acquainted with this friendly place. Grab a coffee and fresh bialy—an unboiled bagel with no hole—at the Mendocino Bakery, then meander Main Street for window-shopping on one side and huge ocean views on the other. It's easy to while away an hour at the Gallery Bookshop, the town's intellectual hub and home to an impressive selection of books.

Sunset Bonus: Surrounding the town on three sides is Mendocino Headlands State Park. Trails leave right from town and curve along the dramatic coastal bluffs, leading to a blowhole, a beach, and outcroppings with unforgettable views. Catch a sunset here, when the waves are transformed into a tangerine oasis and the town behind you looks like an old postcard photo painted in perfect indigo light.