California Storm Chasing – Mendocino Style

Almost every year in January, my wife and I spend a long weekend at the Heritage House, on the coast just south of Mendocino California. This is a rugged section of the northern California coast with lots of cliffs, caves, and small beaches in the coves.

We ‘discovered’ the Heritage House about 15 years ago. By chance, on our first visit, we booked one of the two cliffside cottages. We were looking for a combination of a romantic, oceanfront location with an isolated feeling. Yet we wanted the conveniences of a small resort – like having a restaurant on site. The resort has a bit of hodge podge feeling to it. The rooms are spacious and were recently remodeled so they are quite nice. And it has enough space that you can take strolls on the property without bumping into anyone (especially in the winter). 

We always have a great time. We enjoy Mendocino which is a seaside village about 10 minutes north on Highway One. Lots of nice local restaurants to pick from. Some interesting shops of various types (including a great kids store) and a nice walk along the cliffs or at the beach (or a bit of both).  

AND we often have storms come through. And… We love it. 

The cottage is about 100 feet up the cliff from a cove and during a storm the waves crash dramatically against the cliff. We turn the heat up on the fireplace, watch movies, and listen to the wind and waves of the storms.  Below photos below were taken of the cottage and the resort during our last visit. 

On our first visit, one of the biggest surprises was discovering that the old classic movie, Same Time Next Year, was filmed using the cottages and the resort restaurant as the main sets.