Albion River Inn: Home on the Mendocino Coast
Posted on March 4,2018 By John Compisi
Albion River Inn: Home on the Mendocino Coast
The California Coast is explosively spectacular, especially north of Monterey. With this breathtaking scenery comes the innumerable inns, hotels, motels and B&Bs that offer lodging with unworldly views. It is hard for any County; Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara to compete with the shear ruggedness and accessibility of the Mendocino Coast. And with that coastline the inns and other lodging availability in Mendocino is equally spectacular. You will find it very difficult to find an inn that combines coastal views, delightfully intimate rooms and fine dining more to your liking than the Albion River Inn in Albion. We know, because we have stayed at more than a few and now we have stayed there.
Ocean view from our deck (L.Compisi)
Lawn view from outside the restaurant (L.Compisi)
The Albion River Inn has a fascinating history that includes a stint as a blacksmith shop, a Ford dealership and an earlier incarnation of the restaurant. The current history begins 37 years ago, in 1981, when Flurry Healy and co-owner Peter Wells purchased the 10-acre property. They gutted the existing restaurant and set about, over many years, building the existing 20 cottages along the magnificent bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Adding texture and drama to this stunning location is the Albion River Bridge, an historic wooden deck truss bridge crossing the mouth of the Albion River just adjacent to the Inn property. At 300 meters long and 150 feet above the river, it is the last wooden bridge on California State Route 1.
The last wooden truss bridge on CA Hwy 1 (L.Compisi)
Albion River Bridge view from our deck (L.Compisi)
The Owners: The paths of Healy, a railroad man from Butte, Montana and Wells, an Englishman and actor converged over their respective real estate careers, Healy in Mendocino and Wells in Marin County when Wells moved his family to Mendocino in early 1972. Truly a family operation, all of Peter’s children worked in the restaurant and his son David was the Chef until 1993, a role now filled by Flurry’s nephew Stephen Smith.
The Dining Room and Bar (L.Compisi)
Morning view from restaurant (L.Compisi)
The Rooms: The rooms are very well maintained, many with wood burning fireplaces and large two-person bath tubs. We had a king bed (amazing headboard) which was noteworthy for its comfort. Great soft sheets and perfect bedding weight for these winter months. The rooms are equipped with a small refrigerator (important for wine and other beverages). Of course, the rooms are important and must be comfortable but it is the location and the views (even from the bed) that are so fabulous with patios/decks overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean. Words do not do the scene justice so I will use a lot of pictures to express the amazing beauty.
Twenty cottages each offering spectacular views (L.Compisi)
Most rooms have wood burning fireplaces (L.Compisi)
The king beds are exceptionally comfortable with ocean views (L.Compisi)
River to ocean views from our deck (L.Compisi)
View from lawn up to our deck – sweet (L.Compisi)
The Restaurant and Bar: It is clear from the clientele that the restaurant at the Albion River Inn has consistently offered high quality dining experiences. It is reflected in the obvious local clientele that made the dining room and bar quite busy in this slower season for the northern California coast. Executive Chef Stephen Smith, classically trained at the now defunct California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, has been at the helm in the Restaurant for years and has honed his style to a fine point. His take on California Coastal Cuisine is visually delightful and filled with flavor and texture. Smith and the front of house team, including long time mixologist Laura Spradlin, happily welcome guests as the family has done for the better part of four decades.
Sparkling window seat in the dining room (L.Compisi)
The Swordfish was prepared perfectly (L.Compisi)
Grilled Shrimp is a specialty (L.Compisi)
Merry Edwards Pinot Noir paired well (L.Compisi)
The curated award-winning wine list is comprehensive befitting a fine dining experience. Assembled by Mark Bowery, it has received the Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” for 19 consecutive years, and boasts wines with California and international origins. Bowery has assembled over 400 spirit items from around the world. The evolving inventory includes 224 whiskies (predominantly from Scotland), along with 44 tequilas, 21 vodkas and so much more.
Fabulous Cosmopolitan at the bar (L.Compisi)
Delightful happy hour daily from 5:00-6:00pm (L.Compisi)
The Views: Little can be added to the images that will follow other than perhaps the time of year and the perspective from which they were taken. Leave it at: Breathtaking, Spectacular, Stunning and Sparkling!
The morning light is amazing (L.Compisi)
Unbeatable sunset view from the dining room (L.Compisi)
Room with a view (L.Compisi)
Outside the restaurant. (L.Compisi)
Local Mendocino Chardonnay on our deck (L.Compisi)
The Area/Activities: There is so much to do during a stay at the Albion River Inn. Some, like us, will have to force themselves to leave the property to take advantage of the variety of water activities (kayaking – both river and ocean), golfing, hiking, biking, shopping (Mendocino City) and wine tasting (Philo and the Anderson Valley are less than 45 minutes away) to name a few. We enjoyed an easy but beautiful 5-mile sylvan stroll in Van Damme State Park and the Fern Canyon. Joyful experience.
Nine bridges offer easy creek crossings in Van Damme (L.Compisi)
Ferns abound in Fern Canyon (L.Compisi)
How to get there: The Albion River Inn is located at 3790 N. Hwy. 1, Albion, CA 95410, about 150 miles north of San Francisco or 90 miles north of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Airport (STS) offers the closest commercial airport hub and is served by United, American and Alaska Airlines. P: (707) 937-1919 E: innkeepers@albionriverinn.com
Afternoon light (L.Compisi)
You’re next! (L.Compisi)