Ok, ok…that might be the closest I ever get to a Hollywood script but Mendocino certainly is no stranger to the limelight of Hollywood. Many movies have been filmed in and around this charming town such as The Karate Kid, Overboard, Dying Young, Summer of ’42 and so many more, with the iconic movie filmed here being East of Eden starring James Dean.
Being familiar with the small town of Mendocino, I was intrigued by this achievement and felt that I had to explore this quaint inn.
After arriving at the property, I chatted with the inn’s proprietor, Guy Pacurar, who shared his story with me of how he became the owner of the Brewery Gulch Inn (BGI).
He revealed how as a young boy he took annual trips with his family to a property in Palm Springs where the owner would BBQ dinner and the guests would mingle each night. The fond memories of those gatherings stayed with him, and as the years passed it became his desire to purchase an inn and create that same atmosphere for his guests. After looking at numerous properties across the U.S., Guy chose this inn located in the charming town of Mendocino.
The Property
Located about a mile south of historic downtown Mendocino, BGI is located on the East side of Hwy 1 perched on a bluff and offers views of Smuggler’s Cove and the Pacific Ocean.
The grounds are expansive and natural in habitat along with some colorful plantings, an herb garden and some quiet alcove areas. There are hiking trails throughout the property for fun exploration.
Numerous bird feeders throughout the property help to attract an extraordinary array of bird species that are located in this region such as Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Hummingbirds, Osprey and so much more. It’s no wonder that several of the rooms at the inn are named after a bird.
The gem of the property is the back deck which faces the Pacific Ocean and is the perfect place to relax, enjoy a glass wine and watch a gorgeous sunset.
Main Inn/ Guest Rooms
As you enter the inn, there is a warm and welcoming feeling as though you are visiting a favorite relative’s house. A large wood-burning fireplace resides in the middle of the Great Room dividing the intimate reception desk and small gift shop area from the living and dining room.
Arts and Crafts style furniture in rich wood tones and chestnut leather seating create a comfortable gathering room for the guests.
Large, oversized doors open up from the living area to a large deck facing ocean views for a wonderful indoor/outdoor experience. A large bookcase houses a library of literature, an extensive DVD collection and numerous games for the guest’s enjoyment.
There are guest rooms off each side of the Great Room on the first floor, and a staircase takes you up to a second and third level to the remaining rooms. As I was walking up the stairs, there was an intimate feeling of being shown to “my bedroom” and not the impersonal feeling of being directed to a room at a hotel. As I entered the room, I was greeted with some sweet amenities (delicious sea salt caramels) and a bottle of wine.
I had the distinct pleasure of staying in one of the most requested rooms, the Osprey room. The Opsrey is a corner room located at one end of the second floor with three exterior walls with large windows so the room has a very light and airy feeling and offers serene views of the property along with views of Smuggler’s Cove and the Pacific Ocean.
I enjoyed the fact that there were no screens on the windows which offered a clear view of the gorgeous greenery of the trees and the property grounds. The weather was beautiful during my stay so I left my windows open letting the air flow through and allowing the sounds of the birds and the ocean to filter through the room.
The same was true for the large bathroom window over the soaking tub/shower which I was able to completely open and it almost provided the experience of taking a shower outdoors. And one of the best treats for me was waking up to the stillness of the morning engulfed in fog which was so peaceful and serene.
The Raven room mirrors the Osprey at the other end of the second floor and is a great choice as well. Due to the location of these two rooms, they would be my first choice when booking a stay here. Having said that though, all the rooms face out towards the ocean view, have en-suite bathrooms (some with jetted soaking tubs), Asprey bath amenities, fireplaces, flat screen tv’s and a sitting area.
The inn does have WiFi throughout the building, however, I did find it to be sporadic while trying to use it. I also did not have any cell service while I was in the building but if I stepped outside I received service – of course, that may vary from person to person depending on their carrier.
The rooms do not have refrigerators or coffee makers, however, there is a mini-refrigerator located in the common area on the second floor with some sodas and waters for all the guests. A beverage bar in the Great Room offers a Keurig coffee maker, teas and hot chocolate which are available 24/7, along with freshly brewed coffee at breakfast time.
Dining
In the true manner of an inn, and included in the price of your stay, is a full breakfast and a generous “Happy Hour” that serves more as a full dinner experience. The offering of fine food and wine is as much an integral part of the experience at BGI as the accommodations itself.
Breakfast is served from 8-10 am. You can choose to eat in the Great Room, the outside patio or in your guest room. You order off of a menu of various items such as delicious egg dishes, hearty bacon and sausages, pancakes, granola along with fruit and the daily fresh-baked pastry. It’s an amazing start to the day.
In the evenings, Happy Hour is from 5:30-6:30 pm. When your nose starts to tingle from the aroma floating throughout the inn, you know it’s time to make your way down to the Great Room.
The reception desk is converted into a bar offering wines from the nearby wineries and locally brewed beers. I love this concept, not only in the sense of supporting the local community, but also as a visitor to the area, I want to experience what is local to the region. On one of the evenings, Handley Cellars an Anderson Valley winery, was pouring their wine.
During Happy Hour, there is also a generous buffet-style “dinner” served each night. Chef Peg Davis, does an amazing job using local ingredients in the farm-to-table concept and the meals rival any first-class restaurant.
Some of the dishes offered during my stay were Goat Cheese Tartlettes, Bacon Wrapped Figs, Golden Polenta Cakes, Boneless Chicken and Mild Herbed Italian Sausage with Chocolate dipped Strawberries for dessert…and that was just the first night I was there! The meal was delicious.
The following day, I considered going to a restaurant for dinner but in the end, I knew that something amazing would be served and I wanted to relax and experience all the inn had to offer (the photo is of the next night’s meal that was just as delicious).
A funny thing would happen in the early evening, it’s not uncommon for it to be a quiet environment in the public spaces during the day; but when the clock strikes 5:30 pm, the Great Room fills up with the inn guests and every table gets taken. Only fifteen minutes earlier, you would never have realized that all these people were staying at the inn. It’s that feeling of your mom calling you to dinner and everyone rushes down to gather around the table. In this case, although you may not know these people, I can guarantee you that by the end of the meal you have made some new friends.
After dinner, most everyone lingered around in the living room. I chatted and shared many laughs with several interesting people during dinner and throughout the evening, as other guests played games, read magazines or socialized with each other. By the end of the second night, the inn was feeling very “homey” to me and I felt that everyone there had become, at the very least, a friendly acquaintance. Overall the experience really exudes a family gathering atmosphere that leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy.
As my last evening ended, I began to understand the feeling Guy must have experienced in Palm Springs all those years ago…and I thought how satisfying it must be for him that he has truly recreated the experience of his youth for the guests of his own inn.
Activities
If you have not been to the Mendocino area, don’t hesitate another moment to make your way to this stunning region of Northern California.
In my personal opinion, I have always believed that this is one of the most beautiful coastlines I have ever seen. Not to mention the fact that the charming historic town of Mendocino offers quaint shops, restaurants and museums, with a twist of sophistication influenced from the San Francisco Bay Area. The town is still made up of original buildings from the mid-1800’s, it’s truly the town that time forgot ~ in the best way possible.
The charm of Mendocino is frequently compared to the towns in the northeastern state of Maine and has lured many production companies to film around this area. The iconic TV show Murder She Wrote was fictitiously based on the East Coast but the exterior shots that aired each week for 12 seasons was actually filmed in Mendocino.
There is so much to do within the vicinity of the inn that BGI offers the option of utilizing their Pre-Arrival Concierge services to help you plan your time effectively. Activities such as kayaking, horseback riding, hiking, whale-watching or relaxing with an in-room massage are readily available and the staff at BGI will help you plan it all.
One of the great aspects I noticed about Guy is that he seems to really know the surrounding area well and has made strong connections within the community. The bonds that he has made with community members seems to enhance and offer the BGI guest a more personalized experience while visiting the shops, restaurants and wineries in the surrounding area. On the weekend I was visiting, the town was having its annual Mushroom Festival and Guy had entered a soup cook-off…never did hear if he won or not…but it’s this type of involvement that makes him endearing.
I spent some time in Elk, a tiny town that if you blink as you drive through you will miss it…but don’t blink because it’s worth the view. I didn’t stop in Boonville but it is obvious that this is an up and coming little town making itself over into a trendy area.
A huge draw to this region now are the Anderson Valley wineries. Driving north from the San Francisco Bay Area, the drive alone is enchanting as you pass llama farms and wind your way through the beautiful redwoods on Hwy 128, then as you approach the wineries, the landscape opens up to lush vineyards and rustic barns used as tasting rooms. If you are a wine lover, this is a great way to spend a day.
Summary
For me, the allure of quaint properties is about the warmth and personal engagement offered that engenders a deep sense of comfort and wellbeing in your soul. If there is anything I have learned in my years of exploring luxury travel, it’s that true luxury is constituted by the emotional connection of your experience and not necessarily by who has the fanciest silk linens.
The Brewery Gulch Inn offers a very personal experience and manages to make you feel like family in the process of serving you the finest in food, wine and accommodations that the area has to offer…and the stunning beauty of the Mendocino coastline is certainly an added perk that not just any place can offer.
Coming back to Mendocino made me realize that I need to spend way more time in this area with all there is to do here.
When I think of the Los Angeles area, I think of the hustle and bustle of downtown LA, the luxury of Beverly Hills and the eclectic beaches of Venice, Santa Monica or Laguna Beach. Because expansive land is so limited in Southern California, I don’t tend to think of remote destination resorts in that area. However, the Terranea Resort (terra-nay-a) located in Rancho Palos Verdes, managed to secure a pristine location on over 100 acres of land with stunning ocean views.
Entrance to Terranea
Main building overlooking the ocean
Gorgeous coastline
The Property
Terranea boasts a prime setting on the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean with a view of Catalina Island across the channel. The land was previously occupied by Marineland of the Pacific which opened it’s doors to the public in the mid 1950’s and remained in operation up until 1987.
As described on Terranea’s history page, “Marineland was the world’s largest oceanarium featuring sea life, entertainment, and research facilities. Opening one year before Disneyland, many consider Marineland California’s first major theme park, and it remained a major attraction to the area until it closed in 1987″. The property has also been the location for dozens of Hollywood films and television shows over the years, including the television series Sea Hunt with Llyod Bridges. I think this gives the property an interesting story.
In 1998, a 10-year development project began creating a luxury destination resort which has become the Terrenea Resort. In designing the resort, the developers took great pride in preserving the history and legacy of the property.
Spa pool seating
Adult pool
Gorgeous grounds
Terranea Resort
Check-in
This is a large resort and a lot of conferences are held here so be prepared to enter a bustling lobby. There are several Front Desk personnel working at one time so the process moves fairly quickly. The lobby is beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and potted plants all around.
Fresh flowers throughout lobby
Potted plants around resort
Guestrooms
The resort offers over 580 rooms consisting of hotel guest room and suites, residential style bungalows, casitas and villas. I stayed in the main building in a guest suite on the top floor overlooking the pool and ocean. The suite offers two separate rooms ~ the guest room and a living room with a sofa bed, additional television and seating, and a writing desk. Together it’s quite spacious.
The Bungalows are located near the resort spa and include some spa amenities when you stay in one of these units. You must be over 18 years of age to use the spa and stay in the Bungalow. There are 4 Bungalow units to a building ~ two lower and two upper. Each Bungalow is over 1,000 sf and richly decorated and offers a kitchen and living area. Some units have oversized terraces with fire pits. One comment that I will make about these units is that they are located right in the middle of the resort, as mentioned by the spa and by Nelson’s restaurant, so there will be more traffic in this area and some of the terraces won’t be as private as other locations on the property. However, if you want to be located near the spa and enjoy people-watching this is a good location for you.
The Casitas and Villas are gorgeous accommodations positioned higher on the hillside with expansive views and offer a luxurious residential feel. This is a great option for families.
Nelson’s – Awesome bar and grill
Great place for a beer and a sunset
It’s always a party at Nelson’s
Casual seating at Nelson’s
Dining
There are numerous dining choices on property from light options such as the Lobby Bar & Lounge and Sea Beans, to casual meal options at (the oh so fun) Nelson’s, Catalina Kitchen and Bashi’s with an Asian flair, to the upscale Mar’sel. There are also spa and pool dining options at the Spa Cafe and Cielo Point. I can guarantee you, you won’t go hungry!
I have to give a special shout-out to Nelson’s though, it is the quintessential California bar and grill and a great hangout to watch an amazing sunset!
Stunning sunsets
Stunning sunsets
Spa and Pools
There are three pools at the resort ~ the main pool, an adult pool and the spa pool. My choice was hanging out at the adult pool on a cushy chaise lounge. This pool has a hip, contemporary feel. Pops of orange add some drama and a sleek, orange glass fire pit adds a bit of sass to the patio.
Conversation seating and lounge chairs on a make-shift sand beach overlook the stunning cliffs and ocean. The pool offers a full bar and snack shack and tunes are played throughout the day for a really relaxing and pleasurable experience.
Adult pool
Beach at adult pool
Adult pool seating area
The next day I decided to give the resort’s full-service luxury spa a try ~ a little workout in the gym, sat in the steam room, sauna and hot tub for awhile and then had a healthy lunch out by the pool.
Spa
Refreshing lemon water
Spa pool cabana seating
Activities
Countless activities await you here. Explore the Aqua-Terra Adventures and make a splash with activities like stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, tide pooling and snorkeling. The beaches here are a rocky shore so you won’t be tanning on a sandy beach, but in my opinion, that’s what makes this shoreline so interesting and beautiful.
Scenic walk to beach
Kayaks
Beautiful beach
Explore the surrounding area on an oceanside hike, by bike, or even a horseback trail ride. Or just take in the stunning ocean views from the resort’s 9-hole par 3 golf course.
And don’t forget, you are still in the Los Angeles area, so you are a stone’s throw from all the glitz and glamour that LA has to offer.
If you are looking for a Southern California destination getaway without the hustle and bustle of being directly in the middle of the city, the Terrenea Resort is an excellent choice.
The Bacara Resort and Spa is located about 10 minutes north of Santa Barbara and boasts an incredible location on California’s central coast. The Bacara Resort is designed with a Mediterranean warmth that meets old Hollywood glamour and, from its inception in 2000, it has been a retreat to a luxury and celebrity clientele.
Bacara, Santa Barbara
The resort was undergoing some major renovations during my original visit at the beginning of 2011, and many of the buildings were under tarps which diminished the appeal of the resort at that time. This was not a fact I was made aware of prior to my visit so I was caught a little off-guard. Keeping a resort current and newly renovated is always a good thing, but when booking a room, it’s also always a good idea to ask if there are renovations happening at the time you want to book your stay. This gives you the option to book at another time or to request a room as far away from the renovations as possible because nothing can ruin a luxury vacation like hammers and drills going off at 8:00 am in the morning.
I’m happy to report that as of my most recent stay in early 2014, all renovations have been completed and the resort is, once again, in its full glory. I was happy to see that they stayed with the same warm and welcoming Mediterranean decor and had not lost the charm and character by “contemporizing” the rooms into a cookie-cutter design style. Santa Barbara has a rich Spanish history and this resort honors that heritage.
The Property
As someone who appreciates architectural details, I revel in the subtle design elements and lush foliage throughout the resort. The crisp white paint, clay tiled roofs and wrought iron details create a beautiful contemporary Spanish feel throughout the resort. Splashes of color are thrown in with decorative tiles and in vegetation plantings around the property. The property is richly planted with greenery, bougainvillea, and bright annuals in beautiful pottery. The grounds are meticulously maintained and Palm trees scattered throughout give it that quintessential California touch.
There is direct access to the beach but a fact to know is that Santa Barbara has oil rigs offshore and some tar does tend to wash up on this shoreline. There are nature walk paths and a path along the cliffs which is a perfect location for witnessing a stunning sunset.
The Guest Rooms
When booking a room at this property, a very important fact to know is that, although this is the only resort that actually resides right on the waterfront in the Santa Barbara area, the ocean view rooms are very limited due to how the resort sits on the property. Of 359 rooms, only 20 or so rooms have direct ocean views. The majority of the two and three-story buildings are designed in a village setting with a majority of the rooms set around a courtyard. Even rooms categorized as partial ocean view may mean stepping out on your balcony and peering around a corner or over a few rooftops in order to capture a view. That’s not to say that the standard rooms don’t have nice views, as the grounds are lush and beautiful and offer very serene settings. I only point this out for those who are truly intent on having an ocean view.
So here are some No Ordinary Resort insider tips for choosing some of the best rooms on property.
Ocean Views: Typical with most resorts, the best ocean view rooms are going to be the Penthouse and various suites and villas located directly at the water’s edge. Building 2 is the prime location for these rooms. Building 10 is where the resort residence is located and boasts beautiful coastline views. Other great views can be had from the upper units in buildings 4, 6, 8 and 9. A little hidden secret…if your budget can’t afford the cost of a suite, room 8305 is a regular ocean view king room with one of the best ocean views. If you don’t mind being above the Bistro, Building 18 has suites with great water views as well.
Oceanfront Villas
Partial Ocean Views: Many rooms are categorized as partial ocean views and the views vary quite a bit. Some of the rooms located on the first or second floor of the ocean front buildings listed above are considered partial ocean views because they are slightly blocked by the landscape plantings and are good options for this category. I was lucky enough to stay in a category called a Terrace View Suite, which does not sound like it would have a view but I overlooked the pool onto the ocean and I thought it was a beautiful view. This was room 19312, a good room to keep in mind.
View from the Terrace View Suite Room 19312
As much as offering you the best rooms available is important, I also feel that informing you of rooms to stay away from is also as important. In this case, there probably aren’t many I would say that are bad as the resort is beautiful but I did notice that there were some rooms in building 13 that were very closely located to and faced directly into building 19. I would caution you to stay away from these rooms.
The description of the rooms locations are lengthy but because of how this property is designed, I thought it important to really give you a feeling for what the rooms here offer. The rooms themselves feel spacious and offer a Mediterranean design in keeping with the rest of the resort. Rooms have a coffee maker, basic mini-bar offerings for purchase, and free wifi.
The Spa and On-sight Activities
The full service spa is a huge draw for guests and locals alike. The Bacara Spa offers over 60 specialized treatments such as Wisdom of the Sea, OSEA Sea of Life and Sea Stone Therapy utilizing local organic herbs and salts and can be enjoyed on a rooftop terrace with a glass of bubbly. Along with a hair and nail salon, this is truly a luxury spa and place to be pampered.
The spa also has a large boutique selling very nice resort wear, cosmetics and accessories. Many complimentary fitness classes are offered to guests through the Fitness Center along with an adult-only pool option. The resort also offers 3 tennis courts and a tennis shop. Golfing can be arranged at a near-by range. Special organized activities include a Michael Jordan Camp and Kobe Bryant Academy.
Dining
You’ll find several different dining options from fine dining at the Miro Restaurant, to a relaxed fare at The Bistro all the way to casual fare at the Bacara Bar featuring both indoor or, my preference, outdoor fireside nibbles. Other options include the Spa Cafe, Blend Coffee Cafe along with 24 hour in-room dining.
Yummy nibbles at the Bacara Bar.
Event Accommodations
This resort offers many great options for personal, wedding or corporate events and houses the largest ballroom between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. The beautifully appointed ballrooms, the light and bright Rotunda room with ocean views and a 206 seat theater will make an impressive impression for any event.
Additional Property Perks
Feel free to bring Fido, as this is a pet-friendly resort with a one-time pet fee.
A recent perk to the property is a house Mercedes Benz van that offers transportation into downtown Santa Barbara.
Enjoy the beautifully designed, on-sight Foley Wine Tasting Room located at the front entrance of the resort.
In Summary
Overall, I’ve stayed at many different resorts in the Santa Barbara area and this property is one of my favorites. The casual elegance of the property, along with all of the amenities offered and accommodating service from the staff make this a great choice for a central coast getaway.
If you would like more information on this property or help in booking a stay, please contact me using the contact box below.
I’m excited to have the opportunity to stay at the Barcara Resort and Spa again this coming week. The first time I stayed at this resort a large portion of the resort was under renovation. I look forward to updating my review on this property soon, stayed tuned. If you would like to see my original review on this property, see here.
