Mendocino is a temple of nature worship and slow living. Perched atop cliffs on California’s North Coast, the village of Mendocino is made up of a patchwork of historic Victorian structures and lush gardens surrounded by emerald forests on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. As my friend Jessica reflected on a recent visit, “Mendocino is a place you have to deliberately want to get to. You don’t just stumble upon it or drive through, it takes effort and intention to get here.” And that’s part of the magic of Mendocino.  When you arrive after a long, winding scenic drive on the Pacific Coast Highway or through the inland redwood groves and rolling vineyards, you’re dropped into another idyllic dimension. The purity of the quiet and drama of the ruggedly beautiful landscape is matched by the quality of the organic cuisine and the welcoming embrace of the free-spirited local community.