BEAUJOLAIS
Café Beaujolais takes pride in crafting dishes with organically grown produce as a cornerstone of its cuisine. Their commitment to quality extends to sourcing meat, poultry, and eggs from humanely raised, free-range animals fed without chemical supplements. When it comes to seafood, they partner with purveyors who often supply wild-caught selections, ensuring the freshest flavors from the ocean.
The Brickery
In 2017, they decided to spice things up by adding a new twist. Like many, they had a love for wood-fired pizza and saw an opportunity to bring thin-crust, Neapolitan-inspired pizza to Mendocino. With a perfectly suited brick oven already in place, they gave it a try—and it quickly became a favorite among both locals and visitors.
WHALES
Since its founding in 1976, the historic black-box stage has hosted an impressive 282 productions. Guests can enjoy the cozy lobby, which features a full bar serving cocktails, beer, wine, and an array of locally crafted treats.
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Mendocino water tanks are an iconic part of the landscape in Mendocino County, California. They have a rich history tied to the region's settlement and development, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
1. Origins and Necessity
The town of Mendocino was established in the early 1850s, originally as a logging and shipping hub. Water, however, was not easily accessible due to the geography of the area, which included cliffs and a lack of naturally abundant fresh water sources. Residents and businesses needed to find ways to store water for drinking, domestic use, firefighting, and industrial purposes.
2. Wooden Water Towers
The solution was the construction of wooden water towers, which became a prominent feature in the area by the late 19th century. Early settlers built these tanks and towers next to their homes and businesses. The tanks were usually cylindrical wooden structures, often elevated on stilts or towers, to create gravity-fed water pressure. Redwood, abundant in the region, was the primary material used for these tanks, as it was resistant to rot and could hold water without leaking.
3. Community and Individual Use
Each home or property typically had its own water tank to collect rainwater or store water delivered by other means, as there was no centralized water system in the early days of settlement. Water tanks were crucial not just for household use but also for fighting fires, which were a significant hazard in the wooden buildings of the town.
4. Cultural and Architectural Importance
Over time, these water tanks became an iconic part of Mendocino's coastal architecture. The water towers, often standing alongside the classic New England-style saltbox houses, contributed to the town’s unique charm. Many of the original tanks were built with intricate woodwork, reflecting the craftsmanship of the time.
5. Decline and Preservation
With the advent of modern plumbing and centralized water systems in the 20th century, many of the water tanks and towers fell out of use and were either demolished or left to decay. However, some residents and preservationists recognized their historical and aesthetic value. Today, many have been restored and preserved, some repurposed as art studios, guest houses, or simply kept as historical landmarks.
6. Symbol of Mendocino
Mendocino’s water towers are now emblematic of the town's heritage. They reflect both the ingenuity of early settlers and the community's ongoing commitment to preserving its architectural history. The water towers and tanks have been the subject of numerous paintings, photographs, and literary works, helping to maintain their status as symbols of the town’s history and character.
In summary, the water tanks in Mendocino tell a story of self-sufficiency, adaptation to a challenging environment, and a commitment to preserving the past. Today, they are a beloved feature of Mendocino’s historical identity.
Their collection is a true treasure trove for history enthusiasts, genealogists, and researchers exploring Northern California's past. The archive includes books on local history, historic photographs and negatives, an extensive newspaper collection, microfilms, maps, documents, great registers, county records, genealogies, diaries, and much more.
Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa
Fog Eater Cafe, nestled in the heart of Mendocino Village, is a vegetarian restaurant blending the rich flavors of Southern comfort food with the fresh, plant-based cuisine of Northern California. They proudly use organic produce, sourced locally from Mendocino and Sonoma counties.
MacCallum House Inn
The restaurant offers three unique dining spaces. The Gray Whale Bar/Café features a cozy wraparound sun porch and vintage Victorian sofas by the fireplace. Two fire-lit dining rooms provide an elegant setting, nestled within the wainscoted library and parlor. The ambiance throughout is warm, welcoming, and inviting.
At Luna Trattoria, they take pride in offering authentic Northern Italian cuisine, crafted from cherished family recipes handed down through generations. Their fresh, handmade pastas, bread, and desserts are made daily in-house, ensuring the finest and most authentic flavors. Join them in the heart of Downtown Mendocino for an unforgettable taste of Italy.
Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkle's Children's Books proudly serves both local residents and visitors from around the world with a wide range of current, relevant titles, as well as an eclectic collection of rare volumes not typically found online or in large urban stores. Embracing the rich heritage of California’s north coast, the shop features dedicated sections on local history, logging, ocean life, wine country, mushrooms, marijuana culture, the arts, and works by local authors and artists, along with unique gifts and books.