Ukiah may not be on every traveler’s radar—but that’s part of its charm. Nestled in the inland hills of Mendocino County, it’s a place where redwoods whisper above hiking trails, art and culture bloom quietly downtown, and the food always tastes a little better because it’s local. Whether you’re kayaking on Lake Mendocino or sipping wine under string lights at Parducci, Ukiah invites you to slow down, stay awhile, and see beauty in the unexpected.
Best Things to Do in Ukiah, CA
Hike Among Towering Redwoods at Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
Montgomery Woods felt sacred the moment I stepped into the grove. The light filtered through redwoods that seemed too tall to be real, and the forest floor was soft, quiet, ancient. I walked slowly, listening to the creak of branches above and the distant call of birds. I remember thinking, “This is what awe feels like—pure and simple.” No cell signal, no noise—just trees older than memory and a path that asked only for presence.
What I Loved Most: Standing in the center of the grove and looking straight up—watching the canopy sway like a living cathedral.
My highlight? A post-hike picnic I brought along: sourdough bread, aged cheddar, and a crisp apple eaten on a mossy log. It wasn’t fancy, but out there, it tasted better than any restaurant meal.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: 13 miles west of Ukiah
- Vibe: Quiet, reverent, otherworldly
- Highlights: Towering redwoods, fern-lined trails, wildlife
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for cooler temps and soft light
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Daily sunrise to sunset
- Address: Orr Springs Rd, Ukiah, CA 95482
Shop for Fresh Produce and Local Treats at the Ukiah Farmers’ Market
There was something beautifully human about the Ukiah Farmers’ Market. Maybe it was the way the vendors greeted regulars by name, or the way everything felt so freshly plucked, baked, or bottled. I wandered from stall to stall with a warm coffee in one hand and a basket of peaches in the other, thinking, “This is community, in its purest form.” Musicians played under the trees and strangers traded recipe tips. It felt like home, even just passing through.
What I Loved Most: Sampling wildflower honey from a local beekeeper while chatting about the season’s blooms.
My highlight? A breakfast burrito from the market’s food truck—local eggs, sautéed greens, goat cheese, and a dollop of spicy salsa. I ate it standing in the sunshine, completely happy and unhurried.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: Downtown Ukiah
- Vibe: Local, friendly, vibrant
- Highlights: Fresh produce, handmade goods, live music
- Best Time to Visit: Saturday mornings year-round
- Cost: Free to browse
- Hours: Saturdays 9am–12pm
- Address: 300 Seminary Ave, Ukiah, CA 95482
Savor Sustainable Wines with a Legacy at Parducci Wine Cellars
Parducci wasn’t just a winery—it was a love letter to sustainability and craftsmanship. The moment I stepped into the tasting room, I was greeted with warmth and a pour of Petite Sirah so rich it made me pause. The vineyard views stretched endlessly, and I remember thinking, “This is the kind of place where good stories begin.” Every sip felt like a memory waiting to happen.
What I Loved Most: Touring the cellar and learning how each vintage is made with care—not just for flavor, but for the land itself.
My highlight? A glass of their True Grit Reserve paired with local cheese and olives from the tasting board. I sat outside under string lights and let the day melt into evening, grateful for the stillness and the wine.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: North Ukiah
- Vibe: Rustic, elegant, eco-conscious
- Highlights: Wine tastings, cellar tours, vineyard views
- Best Time to Visit: Late afternoon for golden hour on the patio
- Cost: Tastings ~$15–$25
- Hours: Daily 10am–5pm
- Address: 501 Parducci Rd, Ukiah, CA 95482
Explore Native American Art and History at the Grace Hudson Museum
Walking into the Grace Hudson Museum felt like opening a journal from another time. Her portraits—intimate, soulful—invited me to pause longer than I usually do in museums. They didn’t just show faces, they captured relationships, history, emotion. I remember standing in front of one of her Pomo portraits and thinking, “This isn’t just art—it’s remembrance.” The space was airy and calm, with natural light falling across the gallery floor like it was part of the exhibit.
What I Loved Most: Learning about Hudson’s deep respect for Indigenous communities and how her art helped preserve cultural memory.
My highlight? Lunch after at Black Oak Coffee Roasters—I had their avocado toast topped with pickled onions and a poached egg, paired with a beautifully smooth pour-over. The coffee shop buzzed with locals, and the vibe felt as artful as the museum itself.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: Downtown Ukiah
- Vibe: Quiet, thoughtful, historic
- Highlights: Native American portraiture, Hudson-Carpenter home, rotating exhibits
- Best Time to Visit: Late morning for a peaceful stroll
- Cost: ~$5 suggested donation
- Hours: Wed–Sat 10am–4:30pm; Sun 12–4:30pm
- Address: 431 S Main St, Ukiah, CA 95482
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
If You Seek Serenity and Reflection, Visit the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
I didn’t expect to find such serenity in the middle of Ukiah, but the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas was something else entirely. The long, tree-lined entrance road felt like a threshold into another world. Inside, the monastery grounds were peaceful, intentional, almost otherworldly. I wandered past chanting halls and golden statues, thinking, “There’s room here for reflection I didn’t know I needed.”
What I Loved Most: Stepping quietly into the main Buddha Hall and feeling instantly grounded by the soft hum of incense and sheer scale of devotion.
My highlight? A vegetarian lunch at the on-site Jin Yan Restaurant. I had a noodle soup with fresh vegetables, tofu, and a clear, healing broth—it was nourishing in every sense of the word.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: Talmage, just east of Ukiah
- Vibe: Spiritual, contemplative, peaceful
- Highlights: Buddha Hall, meditation spaces, vegetarian café
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for the quietest experience
- Cost: Free (donations appreciated)
- Hours: Grounds open daily 8am–6pm; restaurant hours vary
- Address: 4951 Bodhi Way, Ukiah, CA 95482
Paddle, Hike, and Relax by the Shores of Lake Mendocino
Lake Mendocino was the kind of place that offered something for everyone—but what I found was stillness. I walked along the trail above the reservoir as early mist curled over the water and sun warmed the hills. It wasn’t loud or flashy, just wide open and quietly beautiful. I remember sitting on a smooth rock, watching boats drift past, and thinking, “This is what freedom feels like.”
What I Loved Most: Catching the sunrise reflected across glassy water with only the sounds of birds and breeze for company.
My highlight? A lakeside picnic from Schat’s Bakery: a turkey and havarti sandwich with house-made mustard, plus a lemon bar for good measure. Everything tastes better near water—and this was no exception.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: Northeast of Ukiah
- Vibe: Spacious, serene, outdoorsy
- Highlights: Hiking trails, fishing, kayaking, scenic overlooks
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for mild weather and fewer crowds
- Cost: Free; $6 parking fee in designated areas
- Hours: Daily sunrise to sunset
- Address: Lake Mendocino Dr, Ukiah, CA 95482
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
Stand in Awe Beneath the Majestic Mendocino Tree
Finding the Mendocino Tree felt like tracking down a quiet legend. Tucked away in Montgomery Woods, it once held the title of the tallest known tree in the world. There’s no sign, no fence—just a towering giant among other towering giants, hidden in plain sight. I remember tilting my head all the way back and thinking, “How is something this magnificent just... here?” It was humbling in the best possible way.
What I Loved Most: Knowing that this record-breaking redwood stood there without fanfare, sharing its forest quietly, like a secret keeper.
My highlight? A peaceful drive back through Orr Springs Road, windows down, with the scent of forest still clinging to my clothes. I stopped at Orr Creek Grill for a hearty tri-tip sandwich—smoky, tender, and satisfying after all that hiking and wonder.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
- Vibe: Majestic, hidden, unforgettable
- Highlights: Sequoia sempervirens, peaceful redwood grove
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for cool temps and forest mist
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Daily sunrise to sunset
- Address: Orr Springs Rd, Ukiah, CA 95482
See the World's Largest Redwood Tree Service Station
This place was part kitsch, part marvel—and I loved every minute of it. The World’s Largest Redwood Tree Service Station is exactly what it sounds like: a giant hollowed-out redwood that once housed a working gas station. Standing inside it, I remember thinking, “Only in Northern California would trees double as architecture.” It was a quirky piece of Americana that somehow felt perfectly at home among the redwoods.
What I Loved Most: The way it blurred the line between roadside attraction and natural wonder—fun, unexpected, and totally photogenic.
My highlight? Grabbing a coffee and apple fritter from Redwood Tree Service Station Café right next door (yes, there's a café too). I sipped it at a picnic table beside the stump and watched other travelers stumble upon it with the same delighted surprise I felt.
Plan your day trip:
- Location: South of Ukiah
- Vibe: Quirky, nostalgic, photo-worthy
- Highlights: Historic redwood service station, photo ops, café
- Best Time to Visit: Anytime during daylight hours
- Cost: Free to view
- Hours: Varies; generally 9am–5pm
- Address: 8591 N State St, Redwood Valley, CA 95470
Conclusion: Why Ukiah Stays With You
Ukiah isn’t about big moments—it’s about meaningful ones. A still trail in a redwood grove. A market vendor handing you the perfect peach. A quiet gallery that moves you in a way you didn’t expect. It’s a town that gives you space to breathe and invites you to pay attention. And once you do, it leaves its mark—not loud, but lasting.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Hike Among Towering Redwoods at Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
- • Shop for Fresh Produce and Local Treats at the Ukiah Farmers’ Market
- • Savor Sustainable Wines with a Legacy at Parducci Wine Cellars
- • Explore Native American Art and History at the Grace Hudson Museum
- • If You Seek Serenity and Reflection, Visit the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas
- • Paddle, Hike, and Relax by the Shores of Lake Mendocino
- • Stand in Awe Beneath the Majestic Mendocino Tree
- • See the World's Largest Redwood Tree Service Station