Mendocino, California

I can't recall a town in the U.S. that has such spectacular ocean views as Mendocino, surrounded on 3 sides by ocean bluffs. The county derives its name from Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of New Spain from 1535 to 1542, who sent the Juan Cabrillo Expedition to this coast in 1542. The town was popularized in 1969 by the Sir Douglas Quintet lyrics:

Mendocino, Mendocino

Where life's such a groove

'Cause I love you so, please don't go

Please stay here with me in Mendocino

Since 1987, the town has been the site of the Mendocino Music Festival, a classically-based but musically diverse series of concerts that is held in a huge circus-type-performance tent on the town's Main Street in the Mendocino Headlands State Park. EARNS OUR HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.