1. Locally sourced ingredients & seasonal dishes

The ranch serves breakfast (included), lunch, happy hour (included), and dinner. One of my favorite aspects of the hotel was the feeling of having a private chef ready to whip up what he can find locally in town and in the back garden. The Ranch calls their food “North Coast seasonally- inspired ranch cuisine.” I couldn’t say it better myself!

Fun Memories: 

• While on our ATV ride (which we’ll get to in a bit), we got to pick some California bay leaves with the driver that were going to be used in that evening’s dinner!
• I loved evening happy hour – we cozied up by the fireplace with blankets, wine and hors d’oeuvres and discussed our day. We also got the opportunity to mingle with other guests and meet people from all over the place.

More about the food: 

• Breakfast – 8:30- 9:30 AM daily
  • Complimentary every morning and changes daily. Just let the chef know of any dietary restrictions.
  • An early bird like me? Opt for the early risers option at 7:30 AM
• Lunch – 12 – 1:30 PM daily
  • Pre-order a picnic lunch and sit out on the property
• Happy Hour – 6- 7 PM daily
  • Complimentary hors d’oeuvres & beverages at the main lodge.
• Dinner – 7 PM daily
  • Communal dining with the other guests featuring local meat, seafood & other products

2. Endless activities on the property

hike, horseback ride, ATV, whale watch, get a massage, or spend time in the hot tub.

What I love about The Inn’s activities is that there is something for everyone. Want to sit by the fire and read a book? Done. Lounge in a hot tub while sipping on a glass of wine? Absolutely. In need of a facial or massage? Visit the Fireside Spa on the property.

Feeling a little more outdoorsy and adventurous? You can go horseback riding, hike on the trails, whale watch, or take a guided ATV safari.

We took the guided ATV tour and it was one of our favorite activities! It’s a great option if you only have a short time on the property and want to see everything without spending a full day or two hiking. Our guide was extremely knowledgable about the property, the area, and the wildlife.

3.  Hospitality

We happened to be at the Ranch while kicking off my 25th birthday week. The staff worked with the girls to surprise me not just once but twice! They had flowers and balloons in our room upon check in. Then at dinner they prepared a delicious chocolate cake and surprised me by singing Happy Birthday.

Not only that, but we all agreed that being at the inn felt like being at home. Anything you need? The staff will help you out. Have a dietary constraint? No problem. Everyone was so welcoming and focused on making sure guests have a great time.

4. Home base for highway 1 adventure

If you’re like me, your trips include being go, go & go. Outside of the ranch there are quite a few close by attractions. If you’re driving up from the South, there are also some great stop on the way to check out. Below are just a few!

Near The Inn: 

• Glass Beach – 16 min drive
• Fort Bragg Downtown – 15 min drive
• Seaside Creek Beach – 3 min drive
• Ten Mile dunes – 8 min drive
• Mendocino Downtown – 35 min drive

A little further but on your drive if you’re coming from the South:

• B Bryan Preserve – 1.5 hour drive – check out my post here
• Point Arena Lighthouse – 1.5 hour drive – check out my post here
• Bowling Ball Beach – 1.5 hour drive
• Point Reyes Lighthouse – 4 hour drive
• Cypress Tree Tunnel – 3 hours 45 min drive

5. Northern California-inspired architecture

You can’t visit The Inn at Newport Ranch without discussing and remembering their unique and Northern California inspired architecture. A couple key features:

• 20-foot-wide walk-in stone fireplace
• building supported by 24 individual redwood trees
• hot tub on top of a water tower

We stayed in one of the Redwood Suites on the property. I can’t express enough how much I LOVED our two-bedroom suite. The redwoods were imposing, we cozied up by the fireplace, and enjoyed making coffee in the morning before sitting on the porch to watch the sunrise. For more accommodation information, you can visit this section on their site.

Overall Thoughts: 

The Inn is the perfect place for anyone looking to have a getaway full of relaxation and fresh air. I’d recommend it for a girls or couples weekend or even a retreat! I could see myself spending a whole week in our Redwood Suites writing a book or getting some much needed R&R.

Disclaimer: This post was created in collaboration with The Inn at Newport Ranch, but all thoughts are my own.