Beside Still Waters Farm is a destination in itself — many guests spend their entire stay on the property and leave feeling that they’ve had a full experience without going anywhere. But for guests who want to explore, the farm’s location near Willits in Mendocino County places them within reach of some of Northern California’s most spectacular natural and cultural attractions.

Here are the best day trips, organised by what calls to you most.

The Historic Skunk Train: Through the Redwoods to the Coast

The California Western Railroad — universally known as the Skunk Train — is one of Northern California’s most beloved experiences and one of the best day trips available from Beside Still Waters Farm. Departing from Willits station (approximately 8 miles from the farm), the Skunk Train winds through 40 miles of towering old-growth and second-growth redwood forest, crossing 31 bridges and trestles before reaching Fort Bragg on the Mendocino coast.

The journey itself is the attraction — the redwood forest visible from the train windows is genuinely awe-inspiring in a way that is difficult to convey without experiencing it. The train passes through terrain that is otherwise inaccessible by road, and the quality of the light filtering through the redwood canopy changes throughout the day in ways that professional photographers travel specifically to capture.

We are happy to pack a picnic for guests taking the Skunk Train — a service we’ve provided since the farm’s early days and one that transforms the journey from an excursion into a full-day celebration. Ask us about picnic arrangements when you book.

The Mendocino Coastline: Dramatic Cliffs and Charming Villages

The Mendocino coast is approximately 35–40 miles from Beside Still Waters Farm via Highway 20 — a scenic drive through the coast range that is worth the journey for the road itself as much as for the destination. The coastline at Mendocino features dramatic cliffs, sea stacks, blowholes, and headlands that overlook the Pacific with a theatrical grandeur that makes Northern California’s coast so distinctive from the sandy beaches of the south.

The town of Mendocino itself — a Victorian village perched on a headland above the ocean — is one of the most photographed towns in California. Its Main Street has galleries, restaurants, and shops that reflect the artistic community that has made Mendocino its home since the 1960s. Fort Bragg, immediately north on Highway 1, offers more practical amenities and the southern terminus of the Skunk Train, making a combined Skunk Train and coast day trip genuinely practical.

Anderson Valley Wine Country: Husch Vineyards and Beyond

Anderson Valley — accessed via Highway 128 from Willits — is one of California’s most celebrated wine regions and consistently underrated on the national wine tourism circuit. The valley’s cool climate (significantly cooler than Napa or Sonoma) produces exceptional Pinot Noir, Alsatian-style whites, and increasingly notable sparkling wines that have attracted critical attention from California wine media.

We feature wines from Husch Vineyards — one of Anderson Valley’s founding and most respected wineries — at Beside Still Waters Farm. A visit to Husch during your stay allows you to understand the wines you’ve been enjoying in the context of the land and people that produce them. The tasting room is relaxed and unpretentious, reflecting the character of the valley itself.

Golf: Courses Within the Mendocino County Region

For guests who include golf in their vacation plans, the Mendocino County region has several options within a comfortable drive of the farm. The landscape of Northern California’s interior valleys provides the kind of natural setting — mature trees, varied terrain, mountain views — that makes golf in this region a genuinely beautiful experience as well as a sporting one. Call us at the farm and we can provide current information on courses and conditions for your visit.

The Grace Hudson Museum and Sun House, Ukiah

For culturally oriented guests, the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah — approximately 25 miles south of Willits — houses an exceptional collection of paintings by Grace Hudson depicting the Pomo people of Northern California, alongside ethnographic collections and the preserved Sun House where Hudson lived and worked. The museum is one of California’s overlooked cultural treasures and makes for a morning excursion that is both beautiful and genuinely informative about the deep history of the region.

Before heading out on any day trip, our guide to what to do in Willits, California covers the town’s specific attractions and services that are useful as a base and starting point for regional exploration.

And if you’re considering activities right at the farm — the wildlife, the trails, the pure spring water — our post on 8 miles off Highway 101: why the seclusion is the point explains what makes the farm itself the best part of many guests’ stays.

🌿 Ready to Plan Your Stay at Beside Still Waters Farm?

Beside Still Waters Farm has been welcoming guests to Mendocino County, California since 1998. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a family adventure, a pet-friendly getaway, or an intimate elopement — our three private cottages are waiting for you.

Call us at (877) 230-2171 — we love talking about what makes each stay special.

Browse our cottages and book direct for the best rates — no middlemen, no booking fees.