Stanford Inn By The Sea

Mendocino, United States

4.6

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

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Telephone:
+1 707-937-5615
Website:
www.stanfordinn.com
Address:
44850 Comptche Ukiah Rd, Mendocino, CA, 95460
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Dogs Allowed
Yes

Today

Today 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Mendocino) 3:59 AM Friday, June 13, 2025

Business hours

Monday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Nestled on a hillside, Stanford Inn sits atop a meadow overlooking Mendocino Bay. Embodying the best of the rugged Mendocino Coast, the Inn is a haven … an exquisite opportunity to reconnect with nature.

The rambling lobby, guest rooms and suites are paneled in pine and redwood. Every detail is attended to, from wood-​burning fireplaces set and ready to light to the sumptuous chef-​prepared organic breakfasts.

Inspired by the Stanford’s Certified Organic gardens, The Ravens’ Restaurant is outstanding and nationally acclaimed for vegetarian cuisine.

The Inn’s Massage in the Forest and The Mendocino Center for Healing provide a variety of life-​enhancing experiences. Canoeing, kayaking or mountain biking along Big River in California’s new State Park is simply wonderful.

Mendocino’s Stanford Inn is pet-​friendly and family-​friendly, welcomes meetings and weddings

History

Established in 1980.

In 1852, Nate Smith, a black man from Baltimore, was living on the Mendocino Headlands when he sold his claim to the area to the founders of The Mendocino Lumber Company. Nate moved to what is now the Stanford Inn by the Sea. A founder of the town of Mendocino he moved on, but the land he lived on had natural springs and eventually became the «China Gardens» where produce was grown for the lumbermen. Most of the land and a relatively new motel were purchased by Joan and Jeff Sanford in 1980. Their vision was simple: start their family while converting the motel to a county inn and creating a place where guests & their pets felt cared for, inspired and a part of the Stanford’s growing extended family, including llamas, horses, ducks, children and of course their friends & staff, they revived the China Gardens; became one of if not the 1st Inn to offer massage and yoga; created a garden to table restaurant; and now a wellness center.

Meet the Business Owner

Joan and Jeff S.

Business Owner

Joan and Jeff came to innkeeping in order for them to have a business on the edge of the continent, raise a family, work, garden — attempting an integrated life. Joan’s background includes social work and work as a representative in Manitoba, Canada for Red Cross Youth. Since coming to Mendocino, Joan has been exploring art and has become a board certified art therapist. Jeff was an anthropologist — having specialized in the emerging «human potential» movement in the early 1970’s. Having spent summers building for his dad, he also was an experienced carpenter with knowledge of plumbing and electrical — a perfect background for a hands-​on innkeeper. Once they had converted the Big River Lodge into a Country Inn, Jeff explored working with human energy systems, philosophy and theology, becoming ordained in 1998 in the spiritualist tradition of the Universal Church of the Master. In 2008-​09 they have joined with Mendocino practitioners to start the Mendocino Center for Well Being.

Stanford Inn By The Sea also recommends

Catch A Canoe & Bicycles Too

50

reviews

Bikes

,

Boating

Joan and Jeff S. says,

«Green? Absolutely! Features locally made canoes and offers everything from bioluminescent tours to self-​guided paddling on Mendocino Bay’s inlet.»

Candle 79

920

reviews

Vegetarian

,

Vegan

,

Gluten-​Free

Joan and Jeff S. says,

«We check-​out vegan restaurants whenever we travel and our daughter is in school in NYC. Candle 79 is one of the best vegan restuarants in the country.»

Millennium — CLOSED

1688

reviews

Vegetarian

,

Vegan

Joan and Jeff S. says,

«A restaurant of this quality that’s vegan — fantastic. Vegan is an ethical lifestyle and Anne and Larry two of the owners are truly ethical.»

Ravens’ Restaurant

203

reviews

Vegetarian

,

Vegan

Joan and Jeff S. says,

«The Ravens’ demonstrates that ethical dining can be delightful, nourishing and delicious. It is a true green-​enterprise and inspiring.»

VegNews Magazine

9

reviews

Print Media

Joan and Jeff S. says,

«We are very much into promoting ethical lifestyles and the editors and publishers of VegNews are effectively partners in spirit in this effort.»

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20 reviews of Stanford Inn By The Sea

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Place rating: 5
San Rafael, CA
Wow! I stayed two nights with my two kids and beloved dog. While I did not indulge in the many offerings this resort offers (like yoga, massage, cooking classes) due to being a single mom with kids, I consider this place a special place to come to with my children. As they get older, I’m sure the three of us will indulge in more. My son still talks about this place. It is «up there» with Disneyland. I’m not kidding! I had my eye on this resort for about a year– honestly, the rescue llamas on the property sealed the deal! Raven restaurant was so amazingly good! And the staff was so kind and attentive. I specifically told my children we were going to a very special place, and we need to use our best manners. This is a beautiful and romantic location, so please don’t think I am intruding. I could NEVER get my kids to eat mushrooms, and one bite of Raven’s mushroom tacos changed our lives. THANK YOU, and we will be back, at least once a year in the summer. You are a new tradition for a single mom and her kids.
Place rating: 5
Palo Alto, CA
I have enjoyed multiple stays and will certainly be going again. Wonderful atmosphere, very accommodating, very pet friendly, very comfortable. And the food is fantastic. Just go. It’s not the cheapest so plan accordingly, But it is definitely worth it.
Place rating: 5
San Anselmo, CA
Whew doggie! After a solid week at this blissful oasis, I think I need to REcompress (not decompress). I seriously need a vacation from my vacation! Standford you’ve done darn done it again and restored my faith in, well, everything. As usual, I felt well taken care of by Jeff, Sid, Lauren and the entire Ravens staff. I had 2 wonderful massages by Caitlin, the girl knows what she’s doing. Owner Jeff and head nutritionist Sid host fireside chats on Friday nights, we thoroughly enjoyed discussing the «vision» of the Inn. Stanford Inn = not just a destination, but a whole-​package experience. Thanks for doing what you do.
Place rating: 5
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
This place is a real treat. My wife, 3 kids and 2 dogs stayed here recently and the experience was amazing. The food is out of this world.
We stayed in the barn suite next to the donkeys, horses and llamas. Having a fire each night makes the evenings special. The staff are all super helpful too. The weather was awful but it doesn’t matter. The pool, hot tub and sauna are like being in another world. First time staying anywhere with kids and they didn’t even notice the rain.
We left feeling truly pampered. I highly recommend a visit. Thank you!
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
In a word, the Stanford Inn is stunning. There is no better place to take in the beautiful Northern California coast.
The rooms are at the same time rustic and modern. Lots of exposed wood highlights the natural landscape, but the Wifi is good, there is DirecTV, the bathroom is luxurious, and the bed is fantastic. Watching the sun set into the Pacific Ocean from the balcony is gorgeous.
The service and staff are fantastic as well. All of our needs were taken care of to the fullest. Super helpful front desk staff.
The grounds are spectacular — you look out over a garden and a stable that are directly out of a painting.
And the solarium (aka a greenhouse covering a heated pool, hot tub, and spa) combines the best of both an indoor and outdoor setting. Natural light and lots of plants, but warm and comfortable.
An absolute gem in the Mendocino area. I can’t recommend this strongly enough. Excited to go back soon!
Place rating: 2
San Francisco, CA
I ate at the restaurant with a friend who had raved about the food. I couldn’t finish my salad… it was so boring and tasteless. Have they ever heard of spices? I think not. The whole meal was awful, lacking any imagination or taste. And… it was expensive. So, high-​priced, boring tasteless food. Not what I want in a restaurant.
Place rating: 5
Stanford, CA
We went to the Stanford Inn for our honeymoon and we had a great time!
We liked: the romantic and rustic room with fireplace, the wonderful gardens, the breakfast (the polenta dish is our favorite), the super friendly staff, cocktail happy hour, the cosy lobby, canoeing (we saw otters!), the swimming pool with jacuzzi… and so on and so on! If you are looking for a comfortable eco-​conscious get-​away, this is the place. I saw some reviews where people did not like the beds, but we slept awesome and my husband can be picky when it comes to hotel beds.
One thing we did not like that much –but this is a matter of taste and not a big thing– was the relatively loud music during breakfast. It reminded us of massage room music in space and it was a little too much for us.
Place rating: 5
Mill Valley, CA
Would but we could find ALL of our accommodations when we travel to be as comfortable, the staff as attentive, the surroundings as serene and peaceful, and the food as delicious! Yes, it is true that you can have it all and we certainly did, and then some.
Staying at the Stanford Inn By The Sea is by far the best time away from daily life for us as it allows our minds, our souls, our bodies to simply let go and just «be», knowing every detail is being well attended to, and all of this set amongst the most exquisitely beautiful northern California coast.
Without question we will be back, in fact we book our special Labor Day weekend time there a year in advance. It’s THAT special! And that worthwhile!
Go! Enjoy! And spread the word!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
The most incredible retreat experience ever. The food is divine, the staff are super friendly, and it’s just such a beautiful, relaxing, peaceful space. Don’t miss the organic gardens where you can see your food growing, the salt water pool, and the resident animals (donkeys and horses and llamas, oh my!). Plus, you can bring your own animal companions! My dog had a great time and loved the homemade sweet potato treat he got when we arrived. There is so much to do, from exploring the grounds to biking, canoeing, or hiking… I can’t wait to come back!
Place rating: 5
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
This review is long overdue. My husband and I visited the Stanford Inn By The Sea in April this year to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary and had an unforgettable experience. We’re a military couple of limited means, so we don’t get to travel much. When we can afford to travel, we’re presented with the added challenge of finding a vegan-​friendly destination, so I’m very pleased that this place delivered on both counts and then some!
Upon arrival, we noticed how serene the setting was: a big wooden lodge nestled in lush colorful foliage overlooking the northern California coast with ravens gliding peacefully overhead. The staff was friendly and attentive, especially since they knew in advance that we were celebrating a special occasion. We stayed in a Big River Executive King room, which had a beautiful view of their organic gardens and the ocean beyond. There was soft Celtic music playing in our room (available for purchase in the lobby), and even a little welcoming note from the owners with some vegan sweets. We were exhausted after driving there from Los Angeles, but everything about the ambiance made us breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Delicious plant-​based breakfasts (made with organic ingredients hand-​picked from their own vegetable garden) were included daily, but my favorite thing was their complimentary «Tea Time», where we enjoyed a hot cuppa with a decadent dessert every afternoon. Also included with our hotel stay was a free bike rental from Catch A Canoe, so we rode into town to get a little exercise and do a little vacation shopping. There are lots of woodland bike trails available nearby too, but we didn’t have enough time to explore them. We did have time for a nice massage though, and our talented masseuses Jennifer and Caitlin made us melt under their skilled hands.
The greenhouse pool area was another area of sweet repose, with a large heated pool flanked by towering plants, as well as a sauna and semi-​private jacuzzi. The weather in April in Mendocino was a bit nippy for our SoCal sensibilities, ranging from the high 40s to low 60s (fahrenheit), but the wood-​burning fireplace in our room was enough to keep us warm and cozy throughout our stay. We sincerely appreciated the fresh bouquet of wildflowers on our actual anniversary, and had such a great time that when our visit was over we really didn’t want to leave. If you’re looking for a relaxing secluded getaway, look no further than the Stanford Inn By The Sea!
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
Everything at the Stanford Inn by the Sea is set up to relax and calm you. The rooms are like an upscale cabin with knotty pine walls and a wood burning fireplace. The grounds are gorgeous with a working garden and orchard, beautiful flowers and a pond where the Canadian geese liked to congregate. The indoor heated pool house was awesome and included a hot tub and sauna.
We stayed in the one room king suite which had a large living room with sofa bed and a separate bedroom. The bathroom is huge and the suite was well-​appointed overall. The only negative is that they advertise garden views. I’m sure at one point there was a view, but currently the trees/​shrubs in front of your porch are tall enough that all you see is tree.
The hotel is entirely vegan, which we are not, but that didn’t really make a difference any time except dining. I can’t say that I loved it, but it was interesting. Luckily there are several options in Mendocino, so you don’t have to eat vegan if you don’t want to.
Would definitely stay here again.
Place rating: 3
Richmond, CA
Stanford Inn was a great experience for me and my boyfriend. The place is beautiful. We stayed at the 2 story cottage. It was nice and cozy. The only thing we did not like about the place was that we were both bitten several times from either fleas or bed bugs. We both left the place with at least 10 bites each. Made staying there a little uncomfortable.
Other than that we had a great time. The complimentary breakfast was very filling, and delicious. We also took advantage of the free bike rentals and took a nice bike ride down one of the many trails near the area.
Had a great experience for our first time in Mendocino.
Place rating: 4
Sunnyvale, CA
Came here for my 1 year wedding anniversary. Husband was a bit hesitant when I told him what I had planned but we had an amazing weekend. Highlights were healthy vegetarian breakfasts (which are included with your stay) and the pet friendly atmosphere. We stayed in the Forrest building-​Cypress top floor. We arrived pretty late but called ahead and was able to catch a receptionist who was very friendly and gave me instructions on checking in if we arrived and the lobby was closed. Thankfully this didn’t happen and I got the maps and general info. Ran into the very friendly BK kitty in the lobby. Our room was a suite and absolutely gorgeous. We were greeted by a king sized bed and tv in both the bedroom and living room area with soft music playing in the background. Cookies and a reusable shopping bag were on a table. Our dog was given some doggy bags, a dried sweet potato slice, and water bowl in the bathroom. The entire weekend was relaxing and a great break from other vacations I’ve had where I come back tired. The gardens were a joy to wander through and I loved visiting the llamas and mini donkeys while walking my dog. The food was very good and inspired me to start eating and cooking healthier after our trip. All the staff we interacted with were very friendly and helpful. I recommend using the solarium at night-​it seems to get very busy during the day with the families who stay here. The plants and jacuzzi/​sauna were a great respite after a day of wandering downtown Mendocino. We of course went to dessert happy hour and tried some tasty beers along with an amazing apple/​nut cake. I only wish I had made the time to take a healthy living class and go kayaking. Bike rentals are another perk that come with your room reservation.
The only recommendations I have (although I understand the issues related to it) is to have an off leash area for the dogs and people to socialize. The majority of people we ran into on this trip had very friendly dogs who wanted to play with my dog but dogs act differently on leash and were only allowed to do quick hellos. The grounds were super clean and I only saw 2 little dog poos while walking-​which I still don’t understand as the inn provides dog bags everywhere. I didn’t realize until my last day, but there’s a water bottle refill station by the ice machine.
Place rating: 5
Burlingame, CA
Absolutely love this place! The perfect coastal getaway, especially if you’re vegan. The location is just outside the quaint little town of Mendocino (an easy walk, bike ride or super quick car ride away), right across the street from the ocean and right next to/​along Big River. Great hiking, canoeing/​kayaking, biking (the Inn provides free bikes) available — all just footsteps from your door.
The rooms are rustic and cozy and the fireplaces are fabulous, no matter what time of the year you visit. The property offers a great pool, sauna and hot tub, beautiful gardens and ocean views. The happy hour and complimentary tea and dessert tasting are a great added bonus. The food at Ravens — whether it’s breakfast or dinner — is top notch with a menu offering a wide variety and plenty of options to be enjoyed by vegans and non-​vegans alike. And, if you’re looking for omni options, there are plenty in Mendo or Fort Bragg (an easy 10 minute drive away).
Took a cooking class with the funny and talented Sadhana Berkow who provided hands on lessons on how to cook some classic BBQ dishes (which we got to eat afterwards)…tons of fun. Last but not least, the spa… can not say enough about Leslie (massage therapist) and Jennifer (esthetician) who I’ve seen twice now. Leslie is great at deep tissue massage and is honestly, a breath of fresh air. You can’t walk out of her room without feeling better physically and mentally as she exudes warmth, kindness and pure positivity. Jennifer is equally as fabulous with facials… really knows her stuff and is just plain fun to talk to.
If you enjoy wine, be sure to visit some of the wineries nearby (40 – 45 mins away). The Anderson Valley has some incredible whites and reds that are definitely worth tasting.
Hands down, the Stanford Inn has easily become a spot on my «must visit at least annually) list.
Place rating: 5
Sacramento, CA
Loved this place so much 5 years ago, I just had to go back & find out how they tick.
So I signed up for the «Small Steps To Health» with Sid which included cooking classes with Sadhana.
This Retreat delivered because Sid helped me understand the” Vegan Lifestyle” & personalized it so I could enrich my daily nutritional choices. Sadhana’s hands on cooking classes show me how to create the amazing dishes that they serve at their restaurant «The Ravens». Thank you, Sid & Sadhana for such a memorable experience. Stanford Inn is a magical place, the people, the garden, the view, the pool, the food & so much more. The Inn captures your heart & you can’t let go!
Place rating: 5
Santa Monica, CA
A beautiful hotel with beautiful rooms, this is a retreat for the weary.
I escaped from the city in search of a peaceful place to read, sleep and rejuvenate. It is all that and more, with vegan cuisine, daily yoga, gardens, llamas, and wood burning fire places in the rooms, massage, and an indoor pool & hot tub.
Or, walk to the beach, which can hardly get more beautiful than in Mendocino county.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
We spent two nights there in November and I loved this place. Our room had a fireplace in it, which was so peaceful and relaxing.
The service was fantastic – in the restaurant and elsewhere. My favorite things were the Christmas trees and other décor, the fireplaces throughout the inn, the awesome pool house, the food at Ravens, and the beautiful gardens and plants everywhere. I hadn’t been out of town for quite awhile and even two nights here felt really rejuvenating.
Place rating: 4
Berkeley, CA
Lovely experience — the grounds are wonderful (gardens, donkeys, llamas, horses, greenhouse, solarium) and the pet-​friendly nature of the place was very much appreciated.
Molly the dog (and her human picking up after her) enjoyed luxurious doggy poop bags at Stanford Inn by the Sea, while I was super impressed by the solarium which housed the saltwater pool and hot tub (with amazing view of banana trees and monstera deliciosas!)
The fireplace was thoughtfully set up and easy to use, as was the bed. The fold-​out sofa bed was very nice too. Overall we had a wonderful time minus some kinks, like some strange loud-​ish machine noises by the bedroom in the early hours of the morning, and the gardens being in a state of mild disarray. This was probably because we visited mid-​week (Wednesday/​Thursday stay) and I understand hotels use this time to prepare for their busier weekends.
Place rating: 5
Rockridge, Oakland, CA
Yep! Definitely «as good as it gets!»
The drive up from our Oakland home was beautiful (take the 20 if you’re not good with windy roads, the 128 is long and very windy). Upon arrival we were greeted by some of the warmest, cheerful front of house staff I’ve ever encountered. They seemed genuinely excited that we had arrived. It was wonderful!
The grounds are INSANE. So beautiful and vast, with animals and a huge garden. A quick 2-​minute walk will get you down to the «Catch-​A-​Canoe» hut where you can rent a watercraft to explore the river.
We stayed in the Garret Suite, a cottage set apart from the hotel building. 2 floors, with the living area upstairs and the bedroom on the ground floor. The living area had an awesome fireplace, a cozy couch, and plenty of windows for a great view in every direction.
Ravens’ Restaurant is the hotel eatery, and the menu is 100% vegan. We went to TOWN on this food. So many things grown right there in the garden, and several creative dishes are available to keep you craving more. The desserts are… well, they’re just pure bliss. We were lucky enough to make it home with a few leftovers that we tried so hard to make last… unfortunately, the moment we opened the box we realized the temptation was far too much to handle. We sure had a good time getting fat during our time at Stanford Inn.
Big thanks to the staff that made our stay so incredible! The bartender, waitstaff, and front-​of-​house folks — all incredible.
Place rating: 3
San Francisco, CA
The Good:
Good location, great view. beautiful grounds. Cozy rooms with wood burning fireplaces.
Pet friendly.
The place seemed overall clean and well maintained. (Even with it clearly being a destination for people with dogs.) I note that because another reviewer seemed to have a different experience with cleanliness.
Nice bamboo flooring.
Great sheets and towels.
Vegan and vegetarian friendly.
Great food. (We enjoyed everything we had)
Pleasant service at the front desk and in the restaurant and bar.
The Bad:
Hard beds. Flat pillows. My back was killing me after two nights. Paper thin walls results in you being constantly disturbed by any person walking anywhere in the vicinity of your room. We were on the top floor yet the thunderous steps could have been from anywhere around us they vibrated and echoed so thoroughly. I felt ready for a comfortable bed and vacation from my vacation so I could get some sleep.
Tons of small children and barking dogs. No ambiance in the bar or restaurant. Any meal (breakfast and dinner) will be filled with dogs barking and kids playing and squealing. We experienced that 4⁄4 meals.
The Ugly:
Quite the price tag for thin walls, uncomfortable beds, and tons of disruptive dogs and children. This made me feel that it was not the place for a romantic get away. Every couple other than us had either dogs, children or both.
The restaurant and bar have a view, but any sense of ambiance ends there. The interior is clean, but does not have the ambiance of a nice restaurant. I agree with another reviewer — they could definitely benefit from a music selection change.
Disappointing with price tags of ~$ 30 an entrée and room rates heading to the $ 300 mark.
Please Note: I have a dog and cat. I’m not opposed to pets. Just opposed to my enjoyment of my romantic get away being disrupted by other people’s dogs and children.
The noise level, uncomfortable beds, pricing and the disruptive dogs and kids brings this rating down. At this price point (room and restaurant) I expect a little more in the way of ambiance, quiet/​peacefulness, and I suppose level of patrons (?) — not sure how to convey the number of kids and dogs and the disruptiveness of them being unexpected at this price level.