Mendocino, California

Mendocino is a dreamy destination for couples in love, an exuberant base camp for hikers, bikers and boaters, and an ideal getaway for urban escapists. The village's claim to fame is romance, and it encourages that extremely well. Mendocino boasts one of the most beautiful strollable coastlines in America and one of the most unspoiled downtowns anywhere. It hosts an impressive collection of sophisticated art galleries, gourmet restaurants, and fanciful bed-and-breakfast inns. Major attractions a few miles to the north include an idyllic botanical garden and a scenic train ride through magnificent redwood boondocks. Hiking verdant coastal bluffs and sandy beaches and boating through wilderness backcountry are popular pastimes. So are exploring exceptional wineries inland south of town. This guide to the "village of romance" includes 67 detailed listings of all of the best attractions, restaurants and lodgings at prices ranging from luxurious to moderate. A handy weather profile that graphically displays when you can expect clear warm weather is another unique feature of this handy easy-to-pack guidebook for everyone seeking a getaway worth leaving your cell phone behind for.