When people hear the word "camping," they immediately think makeshift bathrooms in the woods, food in a can, uncomfortable sleeping arrangements, and showers in a freezing-cold stream. On the flip side, the word "glamping" conjures up images of frilly tents with chandeliers and fluffy pillows. Mendocino Grove is neither of these.
Located on the gorgeously-rugged Mendocino Coast, the vibe here is more reminiscent of a grown-up summer camp - one where you can sip wine around the campfire and partake in events like morning yoga and bocce ball if you feel like it!
White canvas safari-style tents sit atop redwood deck platforms adorned with leather butterfly chairs, which make for the perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee or read a book. Inside, you'll find a cozy bed covered with cotton linens, a comforter, extra wool blankets, and even a bed-warming device for cold nights. No joke, Whitney and I both agreed we had one of our best night's sleep here! A trusty trunk sits at the end to house any of your things and a lantern is provided for any late-night trips to the bathroom.
Each tent comes with a fire pit and picnic table, perfect for making s'mores or cooking freshly-caught fish. And yes, instead of camping lakeside, you're a stone's throw away from the Pacific Ocean, which is brimming with fresh fish! There are also grills scattered about for campers who would rather cook their dinner that way.
Once you arrive, you'll check in at the office, which houses books and board games galore, plus Mendocino Grove merch that's too cute to resist! While much of the amenities are provided, you can easily add perks to your stay at a small cost; there's firewood packages, camp boxes, s'mores kits, and ice chest rentals. Don't forget to pick up a camp postcard while you're at it so you can make all your city friends jealous!
Once you've checked in to your tent, make your way over to the Meadow Commons. This is where we poured our Boeket wines for their Campfire Series and the space really is the heart of the campsite. Campers gather here to mingle, enjoy a good meal, play a board game, throw some horseshoes, sip coffee by the communal campfire, and listen to the occasional musician perform. We met folks from as close as the Bay Area to as far as Scotland! Everyone's welcome - kids, dogs, the whole lot - and the well-stocked 24-hour tea bar is a good excuse to wander over! While dinner is not provided every day (usually Fridays and for special events), you can expect complimentary yogurt, fruit, and granola bars, plus coffee and tea for breakfast every morning. Special dinners are catered by local Trillium Cafe in Mendocino, but if you miss it, you can always head into town for Sandra's delightful food.
Co-owner Teresa Raffo has a keen eye for detail, sourcing florals from nearby Fortunate Farms and sprinkling them throughout the campsite. Being flower fans ourselves, we appreciated the pretty touches!
But perhaps the most "glampy" space of them all is the bathroom, which features white countertops and chic mirrors, indoor and outdoor showers, baskets of fresh towels and luxe EO Marin bath products, plus fresh flowers.
I especially love the outdoor washing stations, which give you great, natural lighting. And again, Teresa impresses with more handpicked bouquets!
Another perk: their washing station for your dog, which is necessary after a long day of playing at the beach or hiking around! And yes, you can bring your dog along for the Mendocino Grove experience; just make sure to select a dog-friendly tent when making your reservation.
Mendocino Grove really has thought of it all, but in a way that doesn't take away from this gorgeous setting. After all, you do want to feel like you're camping! While you're only a 1/4 of a mile away from Mendocino Village, which is a must-visit (see our guide here), you still get that nostalgic, in-the-middle-of-the-forest, camp feel. Every Saturday, the campsite's resident naturalist takes campers on a complimentary nature hike. Big River is just a short walk away, which is where many opt to embark on kayak adventures up river, and there's Saturday morning yoga that overlooks the majestic ocean bluff.
If you didn't already need a reason to visit Northern California's Mendocino Coast, this unique campsite is an easy one. We can see this being a popular destination for city folk in general, but also for family reunions, chill bachelorette weekends or girls trips just because, and couples' retreats (there are special tents with ocean views and few neighbors). Plus, Teresa and her staff are so warm and welcoming, you'll feel like you made fun camp friends! Whitney and I will most definitely be back for a relaxing weekend spent in the Great Outdoors. It was one of the biggest highlights of our entire summer.
Visit https://mendocinogrove.com/ to start planning your next adventure under the stars! And follow us on Instagram (@coxfamilyvineyards) to stay updated on more of our exciting events and adventures as we share Boeket with our fellow wineos.
Cheers and Happy Camping, friends!