At the Ranch:
Walk over Howard Creek on our 75ft swinging bridge
Explore tide pools (we provide rubber boots)
Watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean
Take a walk to Little Howard Creek Falls on the beach at low tide
Play our piano
Enjoy a German massage
Enjoy a picnic with our small barbecues
Ocean Trips & Fishing
Whale-watching ocean adventure from Noyo Harbor
Deep-sea fishing, bottom fishing and salmon fishing
All Aboard Adventures
Go white-water ocean kayaking or sailing
Outdoor Adventures & Sports
Play golf or tennis (45 minutes south on Highway One)
Rent a bike and ride through a ten mile-long sand dune trail
Go horseback riding on the beach, along the ocean, in the mountains or redwoods
Take the Skunk Train through the Redwoods
Hiking
The Sinkyone Wilderness (the Lost Coast) Two miles North of us
Jughandle Trail, an educational ecological staircase
There is excellent hiking on site and nearby. Of course, there is the beach right here and three miles of bluff just west of the ranch. Explore the on site mountains or just walk around the 60 acre farm.
We have added a new hiking trail with accompanying map. The trail goes up the hill and through the redwoods in a loop with stunning mountain and ocean views. Walk in complete privacy.
Among the animals seen on the property have been bobcat, deer, fox, elk, mountain lion, whales, seals, sea lions, elephant seals, numerous birds, otter, coyote, porcupine, weasel and bear.
There is a 60 mile long wilderness that begins a couple of miles north of us. Access to the Sinkyone Wilderness (The Lost Coast) is north 10.39 miles, left at MILE POST 90.88 onto a 6 mile dirt road to Usal Beach, where there are trail heads. The journey is nothing short of spectacular.
Only a few miles north of us is the beautiful Redwood Forest, stroll through old growth redwoods by a steam.
East of the ranch is 7,500 acres of Nature Conservancy. The combination of trees, the Eel River and complete privacy is very sweet. Go south one mile to Branscomb Road, east 9.7’ish miles to Wilderness Road, turn left, go four more miles and the road ends in the Conservancy. Hike through the Redwoods or swim in the Eel River. Dogs aren’t allowed.
Take water and food to all places. We have hiking books at the ranch. There are also many other excellent hiking spots on the Mendocino Coast and we will be happy to help you find your personal preference.
Mushrooms
While Hiking in the winter time, be sure to look for the incredible profusion of mushrooms that grow in many places along our trails, especially under the shady trees. You will see colours ranging from white to orange, and many sizes from small to dinner-plate sized!
Performances/Theatre
Mendocino Theater Company
mendicnotheatre.org
707-937-4477
Gloriana Opera Company
gloriana.org
707-964-7469
“Gay Nineties” performance of the Footlighters Theatre
Event Page
707-964-3806
Symphony of the Redwoods
symphonyoftheredwoods.org
707-964-0898
Mendocino Music Festival
mendocinomusic.org
(707) 937-2044
Coast Cinemas (five screens)
thecoastcinemas.com
707-964-2019
Dining
*Due to COVID-19, limited options are currently available. Most restaurants have reopened with takeout options. Please call ahead for more information*
We are fortunate to have some of the finest restaurants in the world within thirty minutes driving time. You can go formal or casual, dress up or down, and we will help you make reservations. There is a wide variety of dining experiences in the area: gourmet treats, a seaside platter on the pilings of the harbor, an organic or completely vegetarian entree, or an afternoon watching sports in a bar with great burgers/fries.
To the north of us, there are only trees for miles and miles. The town of Rockport does not exist. There is a deli/lunch counter in Westport, three miles south, where you can get great sandwiches, munchies, picnic food, etc. as well as rent movies, get gas, or mail a postcard.
At Howard Creek ranch, we feed you such an ample breakfast, you may not want lunch. For the other meals in the day, we will try to help you find the dining experience that you desire. We have all of the menus for the Mendocino coast.
Nearby Shopping
Explore the galleries and shops of Mendocino and Fort Bragg
Browse in the bookstores
Shop at quaint boutiques for unusual gifts, clothes, antiques, or handmade items
Gardens & Art
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Visit our many local nurseries and take home a plant
Wineries
Wine tasting at Pacific Star Winery – the only coastal vineyard with a magnificent ocean view
Indulge on the way to or from Howard Creek Ranch via Route 128 at Anderson Valley Wineries