Visit Our New Mendocino Lodging Site

The Gardener's Cottage is a comfortable two bedroom cottage surrounded by three decks. Ocean views dominate every room. Wood stoves in the living room and master bedroom encourage radiant warmth in the evening, while a furnace covers the morning chill. A piano is provided for those capable and a CD player for the rest of us. A complete kitchen with full size stove, refrigerator also includes microwave, bread maker and expresso machine. DirecTV, DVD players, and free Wireless Internet offer a technological hiatus from the great outdoors.

The master bedroom has a large skylight over the feather bed, seperate lights operable from each side of the bed, a glass door wood burning stove will soon get the stove top brass whale spouting steam. A large sliding glass door looks over the pacifc and opens onto a private deck allowing the sounds of seals, deer and surf to seranade you all night long.

A viewing bench is located on the point 200 yards behind the Gardener's Cottage. The bench, perched on a 200' bluff, overlooks beaches on both sides and the Pacific ocean to the west. We are certain you will agree that the bench commands a truly unique vantage point, affording an incredible perspective for observing either shooting stars or migrating whales.

During years when we receive ample rain, there is a seasonal waterfall as well. Once you've seen it, you'll understand why we recommend you hike through the fern filled grotto, following the river til it brings you to the breath taking fusion of falling river and crashing surf! The view from the top of the waterfall takes in 200' sheer cliffs to the south and north. The Pacific's sea stacks break up the swells into a cacophonous chorus while behind you you'll hear the melodic song on a river gathering it's strength through a series of water falls and pools before tumbling beneath your legs to the Pacific Ocean.

Out your bedroom door, after coffee on the private deck off the master bedroom, you will find over a mile of bluffs to wander. A variety of benches and decks can be found along the bluffs, allowing you to absorb the views of: 20-50 seals at a low tide rookerie, the waterfall's majestic completion of the water cycle, rampant wild flowers and miles of untrammeled white water coast streching to Point Arena, home to only Osprey's and Killer whales.

The complete lack of light pollution at the Gardner's Cottage exposes an unimagined Milky Way. Einstein's description of the heavens as awesome concurs with our reverence and explains the skylight above your feather bed. Personally we slept outside on the viewing deck for the first six months we were here and return regularly. If you stop by to check things out and you can't find us, hollar — we're out back weeding if the sun's out or counting shooting stars when it's not!

For the adventurous, their is a cook-out ring on a hidden plateau where your only company will be Bobcats, Ring Tailed Ferrets and White Tail Deer. If you are so moved, and the bedroom skylight seems a bit restrictive, consider the firmament un-fettered by sheetrock framing! We only ask that you leave the 60 acre bedroom as clean as you found it!

Regardless of where you decide to cook dinner, for your culinary enjoyment there are well-established year-round herb gardens, seasonal vegetable gardens, and — if your timing is correct — raspberries and strawberries.

If you have to get back in your car for some reason, Elk, a coastal hamlet is the best kept secret in Mendocino! Elk was favorably compared to Martha's Vineyard on a national travel program but in reality nothing compares to the close-knit community of Elk. If you can plan your stay around a holiday, we recommend you take in any of frequent causes for celebration, from the Great Day in Elk, to St. Patty's Celebrations, and you will experience the finest in country hospitality.