SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - With whatever route you choose to arrive on the bluffs of the Mendocino coast, there is no escaping the first dance to this weekend romance, which is a slow and winding road through shady, lush, towering redwoods.

If not for nature itself, it could be argued that Mendocino residents designed it intentionally this way: leave your worries inland and enjoy this peace offering thrusted toward your windshield as your car breaks through the trees and gives you sweeping views of endless ocean.

When it comes to visiting this region, there isn’t a wrong time of year to be here. We pulled up to our vacation rental, The Homestead Mendocino, at the start of fall and it felt like we arrived right on time: the homestead’s apple orchard was ripening, leaves were changing and the fog was settling. It was the perfect vibe for what we set out to explore during this particular trip, which were lesser-known gems.

Following are some gems that we found:

Pudding Creek Trestle

Locks on bridges have only gained in popularity and this Trestle Bridge is currently trending. Stretching 530 feet, there are plenty of unique locks to admire and room to leave your own, all while getting your steps in. The trestle is easily accessible, free to enjoy and comes with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, unless like us, you arrive on a dense foggy morning in which case it comes with a mind-bending game of matching unseen sounds with unknown distances.

Noyo Harbor

Come for the fresher than fresh seafood, stay for the much-needed walk afterward. We opted for the highly-rated SeaPal Cove lunch spot but also highly rated are the nearby murals, eclectic collections of coastal art, marine life congregating to watch humans congregating and front row seats to our Coastguard and fishermen hard at work. Let’s face it, most of us land people don’t usually get everyday glimpses into this alternate world and when we do, of course we stop to debate if we could live the ocean life too. Noyo Harbor is perfect for this.

Sea Caves, Tunnels and Blowholes

They are everywhere! Some are easy to stroll to when the tide is low, others come with vista points for everyone’s safety. We found a few at the Big River Beach below the town of Mendocino at the Mendocino Headlands State Park and of course the Sinking Whole (yes, spelled correctly) at Russian Gulch State Park that allows you 360-degrees views of this massive crater on a bluff. Not to be outdone are the sea caves wanting your attention at Pacific Star Winery; they make for quite a sound bath when the waves hit just right and shoot back out. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can also join a kayaking group to explore caves on a calm day at Van Damme State Beach.

And following are a few quick stops to note, as we do love a good roadside attraction:

The Westport Whale

A labor of concrete love, this life-sized whale sculpture is always evolving on the side of Highway 1 in the town of Westport.

The Tree Tunnel heading north of Inglenook

Made up of towering, arching cypress trees, this tunnel stretches a good 400 yards (our guess). Since there isn’t a walking path to enjoy the tunnel, slow down so you can catch the sun beams or fog whisps peeking through the branches.

The lighthouses

Point Cabrillo and Point Arena. Both have museums, tours and souvenirs but can also be admired from afar. Neither one is far off Highway 1 and also comes surrounded by a tiny, charming coastal town.

When it comes to matters of food and lodging, there is no shortage of options. For this particular trip however, our stay at Homestead Mendocino was the highlight of our weekend, being above and beyond noteworthy. The recently remodeled 100-year-old farmhouse sits on its own apple orchard with many historical pieces well-preserved and well-cared for by the hosts. From the outside, the humble character of the Homestead remains untouched. A family of deer shares the property with old growth trees, weather-worn barns and echoing memories of neighborhood ball games. Stepping inside, guests face a unique juxtaposition of upgraded elegance and luxury, all while incorporating restored pieces pulled from the restoration process. Our goal of uncovering lesser-known gems was complete with this vacation stay.

For more ideas on lesser known and well-known gems of the Mendocino Coast, follow @Ca.love.fornia on Instagram.

For experiencing the Homestead Mendocino, book at https://Clockhouse.hospitable.rentals.