Last Monday, we described our overnight pre-parenthood stay in The Harbor House Inn in Mendocino County.  We also mentioned that, if you did not have the spare cash on hand to spring for such a decadent weekend trip, there were other lodging options in the area.  One such option is to rent a house, which is precisely what we did over Labor Day weekend last year.

Seaescape, the two-story house owned by a lovely Irish lawyer, with whom we corresponded only via telephone and email, was perfect in all respects.   The downstairs area featured an open plan-design with a bathroom, a charming kitchen with all amenities (dishwasher, microwave, plates, cutlery, coffee mugs, glasses and a small eating area included), a dining room area, a cozy living room with a wood-buring fireplace, a wet bar, and a spectacular deck overlooking the dramatic coastline below.  The three bedrooms (and additional bathroom) were upstairs — two with private decks overlooking the ocean, one with a king size bed, and each romantic in its own respect.

As we mentioned last week, this area is a perfect stepping stone to the Mendocino wine country, and after one day spent exploring the quaint town of Elk, enjoying a delicious breakfast at the diner, and poking into the few shops, and another spent exploring the lovely and artsy town of Mendocino, we spent our remaining free day picnicking at Lazy Creek Vineyards (before our tasting), and then enjoying our dessert of sparkling wine at Iron Horse Vineyards. 

In the evenings, we would relax outside on the deck, enjoying the olives and cheese we had picked up at the local store in either Mendocino or Elk, sipping wine, and soaking in the breathtaking, awe-inspiring view before us.  As the sun set, and as our fresh salmon was fully grilled (the house comes complete with a barbecue, which we used every night, and an outdoor hot tub), we would move inside to enjoy our meal from the warmth of our lovely house.

We can’t remember having spent our Labor Day weekend in a more idyllic spot than Seaescape. 

www.Seaescape-Elk.com
Hwy 1, six miles south of the junction of Hwy 1 and Hwy 128
Elk, California
(707) 293-4053