In short… A cozily rustic stay in a rugged environment on the Mendocino Coast, for those who love nature, eating well, and watching the weather roll in.
The backstory… The land on which The Inn at Newport Ranch sits was the site of an old logging town. Perched on the Mendocino Coast, this rugged stretch off of California Highway 1 was once dotted with lumber chutes and mills feeding the redwood boom of the late 19th century that went into building San Francisco. A century later, former Manhattan banker and conservationist Will Jackson stumbled upon the land via a Wall Street Journal ad, fell under its spell, and began piecing together over 2,000 acres of coastline, pasture, and ancient forest. Although there was a small B&B on the site, he built a lodge, which opened to guests in 2015. Now 97, Will still lives on the property, shepherding its vision forward.
The surroundings… The inn sits on the edge of a vast and living landscape—part working cattle ranch, part redwood sanctuary, part raw and wind-swept coastline. Over 2,000 acres unfold in all directions, from pastures dotted with 300 head of grazing Angus cattle to dense groves of second-growth redwoods that hum with ancient energy. Miles of private trails and logging roads criss-cross this richly biodiverse terrain, rising from fern-carpeted forest floors to grassy ridgelines and dramatic coastal bluffs that plunge into the Pacific. (The waves can hit the cliffs 20 feet up!) Down below, secluded beaches are often full of sunbathing seals. And conserving all this natural beauty is part of Jackson’s mission: the native forest is stewarded in collaboration with restoration organizations, and redwood seedlings are planted with each guest’s stay. I highly recommend taking the guided ATV tour around the property to visit each discrete ecosystem, and you can bring a picnic.
The vibe… The main lodge is the heart of the inn, a tall wooden structure that channels the spirit of a California Craftsman with a wild-coast twist: redwood beams, stacked stone fireplaces, and picture windows that frame the dramatic ocean view. It was the place where we returned after each one of our windswept hikes, to sink into a fireside sofa with a glass of wine or tea from the extensive tea menu. We interacted very little with other guests—the harsh environment seemed to inspire introversion, cuddling, gaming, or just gazing out at the insane view.
The rooms… Each of the property’s 10 guest rooms is different. We were in the Hearthstone Jr. Suite in the ranch house across from the Lodge, which had a large natural wood headboard, a woodburning fireplace, and a jacuzzi. I was sorry not to have an ocean view, given the natural Imax movie over there—if you can get it, try to reserve The Captain’s Quarters, a suite in the main inn with nautical wood paneling and 180-degree ocean views. All of them come with Red Flower aromatherapy bath products and minibars stocked with locally made snacks.
The food & drink… We ate incredibly well here, thanks to chef Nick Wells, who arrived in March and brings a foraged, hyper-local approach. On the first night, we had a tasting menu that felt earthy and rooted in place, rather than cold and cerebral like so many tasting menus do: chilled cantaloupe soup, potato with local uni and nasturtium flowers, summer corn risotto with bing cherry, rockfish with yarrow-spiced butter, Alder smoked pork loin, and for dessert, and incredible coconut geranium pannacotta with slow-roasted strawberries. The “ranch dinner” the next night was more rustic than refined, and also delicious—big plates of chicken and roasted local veg. And breakfast was hearty and excellent—eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, bacon…all the good stuff.
The wellness… There is a spa on the property, built around a hallway lined with huge redwood trunks, but I didn’t have a treatment. The real health tonic is, of course, the outdoors, and you’re free to wander the many miles of coastal trails (the Lodge has a room with loaner foul weather gear for when it gets crazy out there) as well as the wooded logging roads. Just keep an eye out for bears!
Is it kid friendly? I’m not sure there’s quite enough to keep kids entertained here, as it’s definitely more geared toward adults and especially couples…though it could be a healthy experiment in an unplugged family weekend.
Be sure to… Spend an afternoon—or at least a meal—in Mendocino, a charming Victorian town 15 minutes south, perhaps best known for being the filming location for “Murder She Wrote.” We had a fantastic lunch at The Brickery, a wood-oven pizza spot set in a garden of giant succulents that’s the daytime operation of adjacent Café Beaujolais, which is supposed to be equally great for dinner. (If your table isn’t ready, they also have a bar in a wooden shed called The Waiting Room.) Right down the street, vintage-hunters will love Ritual Mendocino, which has a thoughtful collection of vintage kimonos, jewelry, ceramics, and old denim.
Parting words… This was the last stop on our coastal road trip though the Marin and Sonoma Coasts, and this Mendocino coastline was by far the most staggering and dramatic natural setting we saw. Come prepared to be blown away. Literally.
Date of stay… June 11, 2025
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