Famous for its rugged and dramatic coastline (if you journey up here, you must drive Highway 1 at least part of the way, if conditions allow), Mendocino County was originally known for its redwood forestry, which led to the establishment of many of the small towns scattered along the Pacific. Most notable is charming Mendocino, perched on bluffs overlooking the ocean and so quaint that it served as the exterior set for the long-running TV series “Murder, She Wrote” starring Angela Lansbury (which was supposed to be set on the coast of Maine). Here you’ll find engaging galleries and appealing restaurants and cafés. Mendocino is also known for its wines, most notably those of the Anderson Valley.

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