34 LITTLE RIVER
Little River: Big Getaway
Little River is a quaint, friendly village just three miles south of Mendocino,
with a history as a mill town and a shipbuilding port. Today, this well-kept
hamlet boasts spectacular coastal scenery, some of the area’s finest lodging
and dining and some unique features all its own. Van Damme State Park at
Little River is one of the nicest areas on the coast for camping and hiking,
and is popular among divers and kayakers.
Along its main trail you’ll pass through fern-lined canyons, groves of
towering redwoods, smatterings of wildflowers and even part of The Pygmy
Forest, where hundred-year-old trees stand only a few feet high. For golfers,
there is a challenging and beautiful nine-hole course which winds inland
through the forest and back out to a dramatic final hole perched on a bluff
overlooking the ocean.
The inns and B&Bs of Little River are some of the most romantic and
inviting along the coast, and include historic farmhouses, getaway cottages,
and elegant oceanside inns with luxury spas. And local restaurants offer
many choices — enjoy fish and chips while sipping beer and watching the
migrating whales, catch a sumptuous champagne brunch before exploring
local shops, or treat yourself to top-rated cutting edge cuisine for dinner.
Little River could be the perfect place for your next weekend getaway,
whether it’s a luxurious romantic retreat, a round of golf with your buddies,
or an outdoor adventure!
CAROLE BRODSKY
RO Y DUFRAIN JR.
