Rugged and wild, Northern California’s Mendocino Coast never disappoints. Studded with charming seaside communities, you’ll want to remember the under-the-radar town of Elk. It’s home to a population of about 250 and Sacred Rock Inn.
No Two Rooms Are Exactly The Same
The oceanfront property is home to 19 recently renovated accommodations. Traveling with my pup in tow, I stayed in a dog-friendly garden cottage. With sky-blue walls and white wainscoting, the room had a fun, beachy feel.
In addition to the main sleeping area, there was a living space with two cushy chairs, a gas fireplace, and a television. The heated floors in the bathroom were an unexpected perk.
Travelers in search of accommodations with an ocean view have a plethora of choices at Sacred Rock Inn. The Cliff House boasts a spacious deck and private yard; Castle Suites feature private decks and jetted tubs with ocean views. Bluff Cottages, Inn Building rooms, Bungalows, and the four-bedroom Petty Manor round out the long list of possibilities.
All rooms, regardless of category, feature a gas fireplace, an electric kettle to make coffee and tea, and a refrigerator stocked with half and half, local cheese, non-alcoholic drinks, and a split of sparkling wine. There’s also a basket of snacks ranging from nuts and dried fruit to chips and housemade miso chocolate chip cookies.
Hotel Amenities
Gardeners could spend hours wandering the grounds spying a variety of blooms including nasturtiums, agapanthus, passion flowers, and calla lilies. Yoga practice is offered in the Conservatory every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning.
The hot tub overlooks the Pacific Ocean and a pathway popular with deer. Chances are good you’ll hear chirping seabirds and barking sea lions in the distance. Depending on the time of year, you might even catch sight of a spouting whale.
Delicious Dining Options
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Sacred Rock Inn boasts two restaurants. Casual eatery Elk House serves breakfast and lunch Friday through Tuesday. At breakfast expects dishes ranging from chicken and waffles, to a breakfast burrito, and Chilaquiles Verdes. But save for room for lunch; deciding between BBQ Pork Belly Bao Buns, a Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich, and the Reuben Grilled Sausage Roll might be the hardest decision you’ll make all day.
Upscale Greenwood Restaurant offers an extensive dinner menu loaded with the best of the season. Think Peach Salad with chipotle lime yogurt, hamachi crudo with strawberry and jalapeno-infused coconut cream, and Mexican Street Corn Pasta with miso foam, tajin, and cotija cheese.
The teeny town of Elk is also home to a few local restaurants and shops. The Artists’ Collective in Elk features the work of 30 local artists and is worth a visit, but the coast is the star of the show here. Be sure to put your feet in the sand at Greenwood State Beach, about a quarter-mile from the hotel.
Sacred Rock Inn is designed for adult guests. Children must be 12 or older to stay at the property.
Garden Cottage rates start at $412, plus a daily amenity fee of $35, which covers Wi-Fi, parking, in-room snacks, a Tesla charging station, and more.
Check online for the latest rates at Sacred Rock Inn at Booking.com.
Garden Cottages at Sacred Rock Inn are dog-friendly. There is a $90.00 fee; dogs must be 50 pounds or less.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Sacred Rock Inn organized her stay, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
