All of Mendocino’s sweet, small-town charm is embodied in MacCallum House. Perched on a hill with views of the ocean, cliffs, and magnificent gardens of the property, MacCallum House is a microcosm of what’s special about this Northern California coastal village.
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Pulling up in front of the house, I felt like I had a home, and a grand one at that, right in town. Everything I wanted to do in and around town—including hiking the headlands and heading down to the beach—I could easily do on foot. And when I came back to my temporary home on the hill, this hotel would once again sweep me up into its elegant and spacious accommodations and offer me a delicious meal.
Things to Know About MacCallum House
Guests can choose from 19 rooms on the main property and 10 more on the suites property nearby. Clawfoot tubs and unique decor highlight the building’s history, though the accommodations are modern and elegant.
- When the fog rolls in, cozy up in the wood paneled dining room, but when the sun is shining, the wraparound porch is the place to both enjoy the delicious restaurant offerings and the sea air.
- A made-to-order and delicious complimentary breakfast awaits you every morning at MacCallum House. This may have been my favorite part of my stay!
- Speaking of the fabulous food, the restaurant’s farm-to-table menu is unparalleled in Mendocino and its environs. The chef has been both chef and owner for over twenty years, and he has certainly kept up with food trends while taking advantage of the abundant resources of nearby farm country.
- Quiet and classy, MacCallum House is also warm and welcoming. Staff are friendly and generous with their time and attention, and it very much feels like coming home when you return from your outings.
- Most visitors come to Mendocino to poke around the galleries and shops and soak in the breathtaking views of the coast; all of these options are a stone’s throw from MacCallum House’s front porch. The Headlands’ trails are accessible just two blocks from the inn, and local eateries, shops and galleries are out the front door.
What Families Need to Know
Small families will love the cozy nature of the main property, and larger families can take advantage of the suites and vacation home that make up the MacCallum House accommodation options. With in-room coffee, you can start your day slowly, but for those keen to get going, the hearty breakfast included at the main property will energize you for your day. The large side lawn—perfect for weddings—is a great place for kids to play while parents take in an afternoon drink or rest, and the inn’s ideal and idyllic location means that older kids can head out on their own and still be a stone’s throw from the property.
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Most of the rooms in the main house are best suited for couples, but room six has two beds and in-room doors for privacy and separation of generations. In the cottages on the main property, families can have either two queen beds with a sitting area and porch with jacuzzi (room 11) or spread out in the three story water tower room with full bath and sauna. There are several rooms with two queens in the suites property, and most families will find that the two vacation home offerings will feel like home away from home. All of the outbuildings are pet friendly.
What Couples Need to Know
Both Mendocino and MacCallum House are ideal for couples. Particularly in the off season, it’s a quiet town with galleries and shops, plentiful and well-appointed restaurants, and an early bedtime. There might be no better way to spend a weekend as a couple—long mornings with a tasty breakfast, tucked-away accommodations, and sweeping views from most angles.
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For more privacy, seek out one of the outbuilding rooms; these free standing accommodations give you the comforts of a hotel room and the privacy of a vacation rental. Many of the tables around the porch, both glassed-in near the bar and outdoors, are for two, and there’s a romantic hush throughout the property.
MacCallum House Reviews
MacCallum House earns a rating of 8.8 out of 10 on Kayak and 4 out of 5 on TripAdvisor. Reviewers praise the views and location, charm and delicious dining, and quality in-room amenities, including mattresses and bedding. My personal experience reflected a higher rating than these sites gather.
Important Details About MacCallum House
Location
Many go to Mendocino because of its out-of-the-way feeling; perched on the cliffs of Mendocino County, the main way to get here is by car, either along the coast (quite slowly) or through the wine-producing and charming-in-its-own-right Anderson Valley. Take your time coming from the San Francisco Bay Area (either SFO or OAK are a little over a three hour drive without traffic), even planning short detours to Napa or Sonoma County wineries along the way and stopping in Boonville prior to hitting the coast.
The expansive Mendocino Headlands make for a wonderful stroll around town, and a short drive will take you to Russian Gulch or Big River State Beaches. Slightly further afield but worth the trip are Glass Beach, Point Arena Lighthouse, and Hendy Woods State Park. Families might really like the famous Mendocino Skunk Train, and for the more adventurous, the Pudding Creek Rail Bikes.
The Property
MacCallum House centers around the main Victorian home and branches out to several other off-property sites. An expansive lawn sits to the east of the house while a meandering path around the west side of the house leads guests to the cottage rooms. The first floor of the inn includes the bar, restaurant with gorgeous fireplace, and wraparound porch, and the reception desk is on the second floor alongside several of the guest rooms; note that if someone in your party has accessibility issues, you’ll need to call ahead to make sure your accommodations meet your needs. Guests can come and go through either the front or back entrance of the main property.
Rooms
While the MacCallum House itself includes just six rooms, its surrounding cottages and nearby barn and suites offer plenty more options. Most of the outbuilding rooms include private hot tubs, and some have enclosed and private porches. With queen and king bed options, garden and ocean views, showers and clawfoot tubs, you’ll find choices ranging from $150 to about $300 per night in the off season. All include luxurious robes, Keurig, refrigerator, complimentary breakfast, free WiFi, EV charging, and Samsung Smart TVs. All rooms except those in the house are pet friendly and require a two-night minimum if your stay includes a Saturday.
Activities
If you’re heading to Mendocino for a short or extended stay, it’s likely you’re looking to slow down. That said, no matter your plans, the innkeepers are happy to provide you with pre-arrival concierge services including dining reservations and can offer recommendations for local attractions and special events. MacCallum House offers an opportunity for Forest Bathing as well (and may be just what you need as part of your escape).
Dining
The restaurant at MacCallum House is reason enough to spend the weekend, and both locals and visitors fill the dining room for both breakfast and dinner. With produce from the abundant local farms and a commitment to sourcing from neighbors, MacCallum House’s offerings are fantastically fresh and seasonal. With an evolving menu that changes with the seasons, and a chef deeply committed to the place, guests should certainly dine in at least one night of their stay.
