• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Melastmohican/stock.adobe.com

2. Anderson Valley Historical Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© breakingthewalls/stock.adobe.com

3. Bates & Mailliard Farmhouse Mercantile

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© mnimage/stock.adobe.com

4. The Madrones

© Allen.G/stock.adobe.com

5. Ford House Museum & Visitor Center

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© sergign/stock.adobe.com

6. Goldeneye Winery, Anderson Valley

Category: Nearby Food & Drink
© Africa Studio/stock.adobe.com

7. Hendy Woods State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Drobot Dean/stock.adobe.com

8. Kayak Mendocino

© yossarian6/stock.adobe.com

9. Kelley House Museum

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© Kelley House Museum

10. Mendocino Art Center

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© zinkevych/stock.adobe.com

11. Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Category: Nearby Food & Drink
© lordn/stock.adobe.com

12. Mendocino Headlands State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Melastmohican/stock.adobe.com

13. Navarro Point Preserve and Scenic Trail

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© EdNurg/stock.adobe.com

14. Navarro River Swimming Hole

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© AlivePhoto/stock.adobe.com

15. Navarro Vineyards & Winery

Category: Nearby Food & Drink
© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

16. Pennyroyal Farm

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors

17. Point Cabrillo Light Station State Historic Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© lucky-photo/stock.adobe.com

18. Russian Gulch State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Nicholas/stock.adobe.com

19. Catch-A-Canoe and Bicycles, Too

© yossarian6/stock.adobe.com

20. The Temple of Kwan Tai

© gracethang/stock.adobe.com

21. Van Damme State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© DreamArtist/stock.adobe.com

22. Witching Stick Wines

Category: Nearby Food & Drink
© Maria Kasimova/stock.adobe.com

23. Boonville General Store

© H_Ko/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

  • The Anderson Valley is a rural area, about 100 miles north of San Francisco.
  • Timber was the first resource in the area to be exploited. Sheep farming and ranching ensued and apples and hops were planted.
  • By the 1960s, the redwoods had been decimated and the timber industry declined. Sheep and apple farming suffered similar fates.
  • The wine industry filled the gap and is now the leading economic driver of the region.
  • There are also a number of micro breweries selling more than 200 different beers.
  • Artists, musicians, writers and craftspeople have brought an aesthetic appeal to the area.

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