An Annual Love Letter to Mendocino

Every summer, without fail, Shane and I pack up the car, cooler fully stocked, and head for our happy place: Mendocino Grove. Nestled along the rugged Northern California coastline, it’s where the salty air meets towering pines, where mornings are slow and foggy, and evenings glow under a canopy of string lights and stars.

For me, Mendocino has always been more than just a destination, it’s my soul's home. My dad grew up here, and my grandparents turned it into a magical, sacred place for our family to get away. Now that they’re gone, it’s where I go to feel closest to them. Every time I hear the waves crash against the bluffs or watch the sun slip into the horizon, I feel their presence... quiet, steady, and full of love.

As a teacher, my summers are my time to breathe. After months of pouring every ounce of myself into my students and my classroom, these few days on the coast feel like a deep exhale. It's a chance to rest, to reset, and to remind myself what peace really feels like.

This year’s trip was extra special. It was the first time we brought our sweet (and mischievous) pup, Draco, to share in the adventure, and we were joined by my parents on Day 2, filling the campsite with laughter, stories, and memories I’ll treasure forever!

And because food is always at the center of our trips, I thought it’d be fun to take you along for the ride, a peek into three dreamy days of meals that make this annual escape so unforgettable! From the local restaurants we can’t leave town without visiting, to the cozy, simple meals we cook over the campfire, this is what eating our way through Mendocino Grove really looks like.

Day One: Settling In + Pizza by the Fire 

The first day is always my favorite, that moment when we finally roll into Mendocino Grove, hearts full of excitement and car packed to the brim with too many snacks, too many cozy sweatshirts, and (this year!) one very excited pup.

After checking in and finding our tent, we got everything set up for the weekend. Draco instantly made himself at home, his little bed fluffed, his blanket tucked in, and his food and water bowls perfectly in place. Seeing him happy in his new little “home away from home” made my heart swell!

Once we were unpacked, we wandered around the grounds to soak in that first-day magic, stopping by the commons area to check out the plush lounge chairs and firepits, letting Draco stretch his legs at the dog park, and scoping out the brand-new showers (seriously, luxurious doesn’t even begin to cover it… glamping really spoils you)!

As the evening started to roll in, we loaded Draco back into the car and drove the short three minutes into town. First stop: the market, to grab a couple of crisp, delicious ciders. Then straight to Frankie’s, our go-to pizza spot that never, ever disappoints. We ordered two pizzas to go, the classic Smuggler’s and my absolute new obsession, the Jughandle. Oh my goodness, the Jughandle deserves its own moment: smoky BBQ sauce as the base, perfectly roasted chicken, crispy bacon, sweet red peppers, mozzarella that melts just right, spicy jalapeños, and a hit of garlic and onions that ties it all together. It’s bold, flavorful, and perfect for that first night around the campfire!

That night, we curled up under the starlight, Draco snuggled next to our camp chairs, the fire crackling in front of us, and slices of hot, delicious pizza in hand. The sound of the ocean in the distance, the cool coastal breeze, and that feeling of being exactly where we’re supposed to be, it was the dreamiest start to our annual getaway.

Day Two: Family, Seafood, and Campfire Comforts

Day Two will forever be one of my favorites from this trip. My parents left at the crack of dawn to make the drive up, determined to spend as much time with us as possible... I just love them so dang much! By the time they pulled into Mendocino around 11 a.m., my heart was already buzzing with excitement, and there was only one place to start: Princess Seafood!

If you’ve ever been near the coast, you know there’s no better way to start the day than with a tray of the freshest, briniest, creamiest oysters imaginable. But listen, I do need to be honest...I’ve only had oysters once before this… also here at Princess Seafood, and also just a single oyster. But that one bite was enough to have me dreaming of them for an entire year. The oysters at Princess Seafood are nothing short of a coastal masterpiece. They arrive on a bed of crushed ice, glistening in the late-morning sun, each shell cradling a perfect little taste of the ocean. The first bite is luxurious, smooth, briny, and impossibly fresh. There’s a subtle creaminess that lingers, balanced by that signature minerality Mendocino oysters are known for. Paired with their hard cherry cider, the sweetness of the drink dances with the salty bite of the oyster, creating this pure, unexpected harmony that can only be described as pure magic! I swear, every bite, felt like time slows down for just a moment, just me, the ocean breeze, and that perfect, indulgent bite.

So this time? I went all in. My husband and I split a full tray, and I savored every single bite, okay, maybe I let him sneak an extra two because I didn’t want to fill up on appetizers~ because next up was our other non-negotiable: Noyo Fish Company!

Noyo Fish Company is basically Princess’s next-door neighbor, and it’s the ultimate casual, dockside stop. We each grabbed a North Coast Brewing Pacific Magic IPA (because yes, beer is our love language) and devoured their legendary fish tacos. Crispy beer-battered fish, fresh crunchy slaw, a bright, creamy dressing, it’s the kind of meal that just sings of the Northern California coast! Absolute perfection.

After soaking in the harbor vibes, we headed back to the campsite, ready for a night of good food and family time. Tonight was our turn to cook dinner for the four of us. On the menu: my four-cheese mac and cheese, cooked low and slow over the open fire until it was bubbling, golden, and perfectly gooey. Shane took over the grill (thank you, Mendocino Grove, for those complimentary BBQs!) and turned out juicy, flavorful chicken breasts, while I tossed together a

crisp Caesar salad to balance out the richness.

Meanwhile, my parents settled into their tent, which, in true Mendocino Grove hospitality, was set up right next to ours so we could share the full experience together! Draco, of course, lounged like the little prince he is, nose twitching as he sniffed at the air, heavy with the rich, mouth watering aromas of dinner cooking over the fire. Everything came together beautifully, the campsite smelling like heaven as the sun dipped low and painted the sky in shades of gold and ember. We ended the night exactly the way a perfect camp night should be: sipping crisp ciders, roasting giant marshmallows, playing fiercely competitive rounds of Uno, and laughing until the stars blanketed the sky. Before bed, we even took Draco for a quick evening run at the dog park, where he made a new friend and chased his beloved tennis ball under the glow of the evening lights.

Day Three: Cozy Soup, Beach Runs, and Campfire Masterpieces 

We greeted Day Three with a craving for even more comfort food, so we made our first stop at the ever-charming Mendocino Cafe, a ritual that never gets old. My go-to pick? Their legendary Thai Firepot soup! Imagine a steaming bowl of deep, meat- and veggie-rich red curry broth (with a garlic-ginger-chili option if you're feeling spicy), bursting with organic vegetables and your choice of chicken, beef, tofu (my pick) or even rock shrimp, served alongside silky bean thread noodles (also my pick) or hearty brown rice. I fell in love the very first time I tasted it: the layers of flavors, spicy, savory, complex, and ridiculously comforting, especially on the grayest, foggiest Mendocino days. I swear I’ve tried to recreate it dozens of times at home… but let’s just say the atmosphere, the coast, and that secret blend of spices at the cafe are impossible to battle. It’s always a masterpiece.

Refueled and warmed from the inside out, we packed up and spent a blissful afternoon at Ten Mile Beach. Draco was in absolute heaven, chasing his tennis ball, dipping his toes into the chilly Pacific, and running until his little heart was content. Watching him trot through the sand with that joy I didn’t want to end was a moment I won't forget!

Back at camp, it was my parents' turn to work their culinary magic. We popped open North Coast Brewing Stellar IPAs (duh!), and watched my Dad transform the evening: premium ribeye steak, grilled to perfection, stuffed into fluffy street taco tortillas, then topped with creamy avocado, sharp onion, tangy Cotija cheese, and a drizzle of hot sauce! And the side of Mexican street corn? A competitor for sure, sweet, smoky, and bursting with flavor! The combination was next-level glamping gourmet, and honestly? It outshone my own mac and cheese by a wide margin! Dinner under the stars, made from scratch, with family, laughter, and the scent of the coast in the air, it was the perfect final chapter to our annual escape.

Every year, when we drive away from Mendocino Grove, I feel that familiar tug in my heart, the quiet ache of leaving behind a place that feels so much like home. Mendocino is more than just a dot on the map for me; it’s a sanctuary. It’s where the salt air clears my mind, where the ocean hums a melody that feels older than time, and where I can just be~ a daughter, a wife, a friend, a teacher finding her balance again.

Thank you, Mendocino Grove, for giving us this space year after year, for the cozy tents, the glow of the string lights, and the sense of magic that lingers in every corner of camp. Thank you to this entire little coastal town that has become so deeply woven into my soul, for the incredible meals, the endless ocean views, and the way you make us feel like we belong here, even just for a few days at a time.

Each year, we leave with memories I’ll hold close forever, the first beach run with Draco, beers and tacos with my parents, lazy afternoons wrapped in sea breeze, and quiet nights spent stargazing with Shane by my side. This trip isn’t just a tradition; it’s our way of grounding ourselves, of remembering what truly matters.

Until next summer, Mendocino. Thank you for being our haven.

x The Biggest Little Food Blogger