North Coast: Forest to sea

Mendocino County’s soaring redwoods and towering sea stacks always provide captivating views. A recently opened inn in the historic lumber town of Newport, 11 miles north of Fort Bragg, provides a uniquely private, 2,000-acre enclave from which to admire or go explore the dramatic scenery.

Get there: From San Francisco, it’s 183 miles to Westport, about a 3½hour drive via Highway 101 north to Highway 20 west and Highway 1 north.

Doze: A labor of love and ingenuity by retired financier Will Jackson, the Inn at Newport Ranch (www.theinnat newportranch.com) has just three guest rooms in its Vermont-style main lodge, which includes a second-story hot tub ideal for sunsets and stargazing. Two dozen trees serve as pillars in the Redwood House, home to three kitchenette suites with hot tubs (from $600). Guests can also rent Jackson’s viewmaximizing Sea Drum House (from $1,000).

Dine: Rates include hot breakfast, but you’ll have

to arrange other meals at the inn in advance, or return to Fort Bragg. Try Mayan Fusion, a piquant, locally sourced alternative to the usual seafood in Noyo Harbor.

Do: Take an ATV ride through the woods up to the working cattle ranch’s ridge line, where spectacular vistas await; Ricochet Ridge Ranch also leads trail rides here. Neighboring Pacific Star Winery pairs tastings with equally impressive views, while MacKerricher State Park’s 10-Mile Beach lies a few miles south.

Good to know: Rates drop significantly in December. Three miles south of the inn, Highway 1 has one-way, controlled traffic due to construction through Jan. 1; it’s a long time between lights.