Stroll the scenic, tree-lined streets of Ukiah and soak up the northern California essence of this beautiful and historic setting, named the state’s best small town. There’s a pleasing, friendly ambiance here, thanks to a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, specialty boutique shopping, local organic dining and healthy dose of outdoor recreation.
Fish, hike and bike on the 52,000 acres of Cow Mountain Recreation Area. Trek through fir, pine and oak trees to stunning views of Ukiah and Clear Lake, keeping an eye out for resident blacktail deer, bear and wild turkey.
Bring the whole family for outdoor fun at Low Gap Park, where you’ll find well-marked hiking trails, an archery range, disc golf park, two playgrounds and several picnic spots. A bit outside Ukiah, hike through majestic redwoods in Montgomery Woods State Park.
After all that fresh air, satisfy a hearty appetite on Ukiah’s eclectic and growing dining scene, from top-rated restaurants to pub favorites and live music at the Ukiah Brewing Company.
Local, organically grown produce and meats grace just about every menu, complemented by wines from the nation’s first organic winery, first carbon-neutral winery and greenest winery. Oenophiles will want to visit some of the 30-plus tasting rooms at Mendocino County wineries.
Ukiah is rich in spas thanks to its natural hot springs. Soak at Vichy Springs, a California Historical Landmark, where mineral baths are fed from springs deep in the earth. Indulge in spa treatments and chakra balancing at Shambhala Ranch, where visitors are invited to hike through the fruit tree orchards and commune with the farm animals. Orr Hot Springs is a rejuvenating choice for its hot tubs full of sulphur, calcium, potassium and other naturally occurring minerals.
Cap off your Ukiah visit with a stop at the City of 10,000 Buddhas, a monastery and prayer and meditation center, where you’ll have the chance to gaze upon the thousands of Buddhas and dine on fantastic vegetarian cuisine at the Jyun Kang Restaurant.
To reach Ukiah, fly into the Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Oakland or San Francisco airport. Ukiah is a 2-hour drive north of San Francisco. Join the free-thinking, creative minds that make this small town their home and find out why it’s such a spiritually rejuvenating destination.
