Stay Here: Northern CA Inns 🌁
We’re back with another newsletter in our favorite place! It’s been 8 months since we’ve launched Stay Here, and our inaugural newsletter was about Northern California. Since we were both born and raised in the Bay Area and Ophelia calls SF home, it’s only natural that we have a few more recommendations for you, driving distance from the Bay. We’ve been charmed by historic inns lately, so this newsletter is dedicated to Northern California inns.
What do you think about repeat cities? And should we go international? We’d love your feedback!
As always, you can browse through all our newsletters if you're looking for other cities to travel to.
Beltane Ranch
Glen Ellen, Sonoma County, CA
Starts at $275/night
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Huge thank you to our subscriber Nina for this incredible rec!
Owned and operated by the fourth and fifth generation of the family, Beltane Ranch is a historic 105-acre ranch. The property includes estate vineyards, horses, sheep, a tennis court, and of course, the cozy inn. There are only six rooms at the inn, so you’ll get an up-close and personal look at what life looks like on a working regenerative farm and vineyard.
How gorgeous is this porch overlooking the property? Would be a great place to enjoy the chef-prepared, ranch-grown breakfast that comes with your stay.
West Point Inn
Mt. Tamalpais, CA
Starts at $75/night
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West Point Inn is an off-the-grid property with no electricity, only accessible by foot or by bike. Ophelia and her boyfriend went hiking in Mt. Tam a few weeks ago and stumbled upon this inn on their trail! According to their website, West Point Inn “is a former train stop along the ‘Crookedest Railroad in the World’ where passengers could meet a stagecoach bound for the beach.”
The views from the cabin are unreal!
Additionally, on the second Sunday of the month (from May to October), the inn hosts $10 pancake breakfasts so the public can enjoy the spectacular views. Typically, the Inn is only open to overnight guests.
Glendeven Inn & Lodge
Little River, Mendocino County, CA
Starts at $220/night
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Another historical property (est. 1867), Glendeven Inn & Lodge is a private 10-room inn and 10-room lodge on 15 acres with llamas and chickens, wood-burning fireplaces, and breakfast. The property is right along the Mendocino coast.
How beautiful is this ocean view from the door?!
Honorable mentions
Walking distance from Muir Beach, Pelican Inn is a historical English inn with a charming pub (starts at $260/night).
Truly almost impossible to book, but so beautiful that we had to include it! Steep Ravine Cabins on Mt. Tam don’t have running water or electricity (but toilets, faucets, and firewood are nearby) — so if you like camping, this is your spot! The ocean views are unreal ($100/night per cabin).
A Cazadero cabin by the river with a cozy wood fire (starts at $378/night, sleeps 4).
This Guerneville cabin nestled in the redwoods (starts at $136/night, sleeps 2).
Do this
Visit Heidrun Meadery for a mead (wine made from honey rather than grapes) tasting in Point Reyes. Tasting flights are $20 and you can pack a picnic to enjoy on their beautiful farm.
Hike Muir Woods (reservations needed) or all (or part) of the legendary Dipsea Trail. Afterward, get Hook Fish tacos in their beautiful outdoor patio, or incredible Puerto Rican food at Sol Food.
Drive out to Marshall to shuck oysters at Tomales Bay Oyster Company. Bring cash, your own shucking knife, gloves, and sauces! Drive over to Point Reyes and picnic with your fresh seafood.
Enjoy wine country — we love Sonoma and Healdsburg for quieter, less touristy wineries. Favorites include MacRostie, Reeve, Scribe (members only right now), Medlock Ames’ Bell Mountain Ranch location.
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Browse through all our newsletters if you're looking for other cities to travel to!
If you enjoy reading this content, please share it with your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and more. As always, let us know if you have any feedback or had a chance to check out one of our stays and we just might feature your review in our next newsletter! We love hearing from you. 🙂
Next up on Stay Here: Portland, Maine! Let us know if you have any recs or favs from the area (reply to stayhere@substack.com). We'll be sure to give you a shout-out. :)
Disclaimer: All links provided were active at the time of publishing and all rates listed are subject to change. This newsletter is free and as of now, we’re not making any money from affiliate links. If you discovered and book a stay through us, please let the hosts know that Stay Here newsletter sent you. We’d also love to know and 😍 the place with you. You can reply to stayhere@substack.com, we’re friendly!
love visiting the ba(y/e). thank you for the newsletter!