Property Description

H O W A R D C R E E K R A N C H I N N

Howard Creek Ranch is a Romantic Retreat. An historic, 60 acre, ocean front farm; bordered by miles of beach and mountains on the spectacular Mendocino Coast. Charles (Sunny) and Sally are still very much in love after thirty years of working on Howard Creek Ranch, and hopefully our love will endure through another thirty years of work. There's still so very much to do here.

The Ranch offers an ever changing family of animals, wild and domestic. We have award winning flower gardens; firelight rooms with seductive hand tooled wood; a 75 foot swinging foot bridge over Howard Creek; hot tubs nestled in privacy; plus exceptional ocean views that provide the perfect backdrop for creating lifelong memories.

Accommodations include cabins, suites and rooms furnished with antiques, large comfortable beds that you can roll around in, and handmade quilts with views of the ocean, mountains, creek or gardens. Stroll under the gigantic redwoods or take a blanket and lay down in the woods and just hold each other and wonder at the glories of nature, take the famous Skunk Train, treat each other to a special gift in Mendocino, or go horseback riding on the beach, in the mountains, or in the redwoods and then have a massage or give each other one. Full ranch breakfast is included.

The Ranch was first settled in 1867 as a land grant of thousands of acres and included a sheep and cattle ranch, and a blacksmith shop. Horses, cows, and sheep grazed the pastures. We've added the llama. The buildings are constructed from virgin redwood from the ranch forest.

R E V I E W S


"This is one of the most romantic places on the planet!" - San Francisco Chronicle

"Of the dozen or so inns on the West Coast we have visited, this is easily the most enchanting one...a private theme park of rural pleasures." - California Magazine

Sandra W. Soule, editor of America's Favorite Inns, B&B's and small Hotels awarded Howard Creek Ranch for superior innkeeping standards, outstanding hospitality, food and accommodations.

Rated by Vacation Magazine as one of the Best Romantic Places To Stay.

Selected by San Francisco Magazine as one of the most Spectacular and Undiscovered Getaways on the California Coast. "A Steal !!! If you've written off the Mendocino Coast as too precious, you haven't spent enough time at Howard Creek Ranch. "

"A swinging bridge spans Howard Creek. The beach is wild and rugged, full of rough-hewn boulders and brimming with tide pools. On a cool May day, we walked for an hour without bumping into another soul." - Forbes F.Y.I. The Good Life



S A M P L E B R E A K F A S T M E N U

(Menu changes daily)

Baked apples with granola and French whipped cream or raisins with yogurt.

Omelet with tomatoes, green onion, cheeses, sour cream, and avocado plus delicate spices.

Strawberry banana hotcakes topped with real maple syrup.

Fresh orange-juice, early strong coffee, black or herbal teas, hot chocolate with whipped cream.

Sliced fruit of the season, plus edible flowers.

Local pears poached in apple cider.

Our special Howard Creek French Toast.

Biscuits fresh from the oven.

Fruit salad with candied blackberries and violas.

Pacifica frittata with a variety of veg. and cheeses.

Ammaretto french toast.

Vegetable quiche topped w/ fresh grated romano, basil and sliced tomato.

Egg-Salsa Puff

Hot, strong coffe at 7AM. Full Ranch Style breakfast at 9.

Local Area Information

H O R S E B A C K R I D I N G O N T H E B E A C H

Romance can be solitary with your horse or a double treat with your sweetheart.
Canter along deserted ocean beaches, ride the bluffs while the Pacific crashes against rocks far below, and meander on mossy trails through the magnificent Redwood forest with Lari Shea, owner of our neighboring Ricochet Ridge stables, and winner of the prestigious Tevis Cup 100 Mile Endurance race. Her Akhal-Teke, Russian Orlov crosses, and Arabians, excel on the trails, as well as in dressage and jumping. Appies and Quarter horses round out the stable of wonderfully well-trained horses, for both English and Western enthusiasts. All riding skill levels can be accommodated. None of Ricochet's horses reside on Howard Creek Ranch.

Hourly, Daily and Week Long Treks available. By reservation only:
Call 707.964.PONY or visit www.horse-vacation.com for reservations.

H I K I N G


There is excellent hiking on site and nearby. Of course, there is the beach right here and three miles of bluff just west of the ranch. Explore the on site mountains (the trail takes most people an hour and a half) or just walk around the 60 acre farm and sit down on a redwood bench and read.

Among the wild animals seen on the property have been bobcat, deer, fox, elk, mountain lion, otter, coyote, numerous birds, porcupine, weasel and bear. Oh my!

There is a 60 mile long wilderness that begins a couple of miles north of us. The journey is nothing short of spectacular.

Just north of us is the beautiful Redwood Picnic Forest, stroll through old growth redwoods by a steam or lie down and dream a little.

East of the ranch is 7,500 acres of Nature Conservancy. The combination of trees, the Eel River and complete privacy is very sweet. Hike through the Redwoods or swim in the Eel River. No Dogs at Eel River, please.

Property Features

* Close to a golf course
* Close to a Beach
* Pets are allowed

Accommodation and Facilities Summary

Accommodation	Size: Spacious, Accommodation Type: Bed & Breakfast, Changeover Day Flexible
Suitability	No Children allowed, Pets Welcome
Outside	Outside Shower, Garden, Balcony, Parking, Patio, Barbecue, Barbecue Area
Location	Remote Location, In the Country, Distance to Airport >100km, Distance to local restaraunts >5km, Distance to convenience store 3-5km, Distance to beach <100m, By the sea, In the mountains
Local Area	The local town is Sleepy, Distance to Local Town Centre 20km, Restaurants, Lively Bars and Pubs, Quiet Bars and Pubs
Local Activities	Water Sports, Snorkelling, Diving, Surfing, Walking, Swimming, Mountain Biking, Horse Riding, Golf, Fishing
Living Room	Fireplace, Gas Fire, Fold Out Beds Sleeping 1, Armchairs 5, Sofas 5, Seating for >10 People
Laundry	Towels Provided, Linen Provided, Nearby Laundrette
Kitchen	Toaster, Grill, Fridge, Freezer, Microwave
General	Telephone
Entertainment	Video
Dining	Seating for >10 People
Heat/Cooling	Electric Heaters
Bedroom	Ensuites 3, Pull-out Beds 1, Twins 9, Singles 4, Doubles 9
Bathroom	Hot Tub, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Shower Rooms 6, Toilets 6, Bathrooms 8
Theme	Away from it all

Contact Information

Name:	Sally & Sunny Grigg
Telephone:	707-964-6725
Alt Telephone:	--
Fax:	707-964-1603
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