Harbor House Inn stands on a rugged cliff above the Pacific at Elk, on the Mendocino coast of northern California, far from any busy resort scene. It is very small: six rooms in the main house and five freestanding cottages, looking over either the gardens or the cove, with clawfoot baths, gas fireplaces and down bedding, and private patios for the cottages. Mobile signal is patchy along this coast and on the property itself, which suits the place, though Wi-Fi is there when needed. The real draw is the restaurant, a 20-seat dining room above the ocean with a two-MICHELIN-star kitchen, where chef Matthew Kammerer builds a tasting menu from what the inn's farm, the local waters and the tide pools produce, cooked over steam and fire. Breakfast is included, and dinner can also be served in your room. Days go to beachcombing in the private cove, kayaking, riding and fishing, and from December to April whales pass offshore. It is a place for reading, walking and eating well. Children under 15 do not stay, and pets are not allowed.
- Rooms
- 11 rooms and cottages
Insider tip Book your stay at least 60 days ahead: staying guests are then offered restaurant tables before they are released to the public.
Why I choose it One of the great tables in California on a wild and quiet stretch of coast, with only 11 rooms, so dinner never feels crowded.