James Dean, the bad boy heartthrob of the 1950s, stayed at Mendocino’s Little River Inn while filming East of Eden. He must have been mesmerized by the Pacific Ocean views while relaxing in the comfort of Room 102. The fellow must have felt too much at home, for he got kicked out of the hotel lounge when he propped up his boots on the bar table, angering the management. Nonetheless, everyone else still thinks the late actor was awesome, and the James Dean room remains one of the most desired.
Little River’s sixty-plus cottages, suites, and rooms bring guests to a world of tranquility amid nature. The Northern California hilltop lodge caters to a wide spectrum of guests. Families can count on getting cribs and cots if needed. Animal lovers can dine with their pets in the restaurant patio’s private cabanas. Romantics can request floral delivery, sparkling wine, and picnic baskets brimming with gourmet cheeses and crackers. For hikers, hotel staff will point out the best forest trails next to the property at Van Damme State Park. Among the extras is a 9-hole golf course, massage services, and tennis courts.
Silas Coombs would have been proud. He built the original Victorian farmhouse for his family in 1853. It became a motel in 1939 under the management of his granddaughter Cora Coombs. Five generations later Cally Coombs now runs the business, maintaining its reputation for outstanding hospitality and service.
Recently, my daughter and I stayed in Brackenwood, one of four suites in the Van Damme building. It fronts the ocean, across the highway from the main lodge. Van Damme’s exterior is a nondescript putty-colored, shingled single story. Yet, the interior impresses with contemporary cottage charm: pine furnishings, a white brick fireplace, and soft gray lounge chairs large enough to curl up in. For us, soaking in the hot tub under the stars was clearly our vacation highlight.
I am no stranger to Little River Inn having stayed there several times in different rooms. However, so far, the Brackenwood is my favorite. My daughter loved the wall of windows which provided a close-up view of the sea from our beds. I mean, when is the last time you awoke to an ocean scene, other than being on a cruise?
Eleven room types give you options which can fit your budget and preferences. The Antique Rooms in the main lodge are your best bet if you’re watching costs. Want to splurge? Book the Coombs Cottage, the White Cottage, or the Hanna Madison Cottage with 1,000 square feet. Overall, you cannot go wrong. Many guestrooms boast panoramas, patio rocking chairs, and fireplaces. For entertainment, you can check out board games and DVDs.
The one and only eatery is aptly named Little River Restaurant, and it’s open throughout the day. The beloved locale has served as a Mendocino staple for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. The country chic dining room is semi-formal with a smaller private room and an outdoor garden designed for guests with pets. The storied Ole’s Whale Watch Bar from 1939 hosts regulars nightly.
In the main dining room, expect New American fare with steaks, seafood, pastas, and dessert. Each item reflects the chef’s penchant for local ingredients and creativity. The chicken paillard, for example, features a sauce of Mendocino foraged mushrooms. Parsnip chips, of all things, accent the duck confit. And who would think of adding hibiscus petals to panna cotta? Not me. Entrees are consistently wonderful, artful, and plentiful. One night I ordered a rib eye steak with Coombs Bourbon-infused peppercorn demi glaze. My daughter had a hankering for flat iron steak with roasted broccolini. The juicy slab was so mouthwatering, she intentionally ate half and saved the rest for the next day.
A bed, a view, a fab dinner. You, too, can relish the property like James Dean did. Just be sure not to put your boots on top of the bar.
Little River Inn
7901 N Highway 1
Little River, CA 95456
Phone: 707-937-5942
www.littleriverinn.com