Located within a mile (2 km) of Jughandle State Natural Reserve, this vacation home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Sea Glass Museum. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a fireplace, and a balcony.
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens - 4 min drive - 2.2 miles
Noyo Harbor - 7 min drive - 3.7 miles
Skunk Train - 9 min drive - 5.3 miles
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse - 12 min drive - 5.3 miles
Glass Beach - 14 min drive - 5.9 miles
Getting around
Santa Rosa, CA (STS-Sonoma County) - 139 min drive
Restaurants
Starbucks - 7 min drive
McDonald's - 6 min drive
Taco Bell - 6 min drive
Cowlick's Ice Cream Cafe - 8 min drive
Los Gallitos - 7 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Grey Whale so close to so many beaches, hikes and more!!
Grey Whale
Make like the whales and go on a journey to the Mendocino Coast!
Rediscover the joy of the American road trip and have a “whale of a time” at the Grey Whale, an architecturally stunning 4-bed, 2-bath vacation home that sleeps 8 on the Mendocino Coast. Named in honor of the annual cetacean migration, this secluded home nestled in a forest clearing gets plenty of sun, courtesy of ample windows on its two storeys.
This hidden refuge feels a world away from everything, but at just 3 minutes’ drive from Jug Handle, it’s centrally located, less than 10 minutes’ drive north to Fort Bragg or south to Mendocino.
Of course, with all the charm and amenities of the Grey Whale, you can also very comfortably stay in. The warm touches and accents – from the wood beam ceilings to the brick fireplace to the blue and aqua kitchen flourishes – will make this luxurious vacation rental feel like home. In the downstairs den, you can warm yourself by the fireplace, while upstairs, the large sectional couch provides room for the whole family or friend group to get cozy for game night or a movie marathon (there’s also a garage game room, the stuff of dreams for would-be ping pong champs).
Forest bathe, figuratively or literally: take a walk and breathe in the nature surrounding you, or enjoy a glass of bubbly and a view of the towering trees from the jacuzzi. When night falls, roast s’mores over the fire pit and take in the skies above you – depending on the time of year, you might even spot a shooting star. Upstairs, a well-appointed balcony has scenic views and is a great place to relax with a good book or crack open a bottle of your favorite beverage with friends.
Celebrate any occasion with home-cooked meals in the dining room with its splashy ocean decor, or eat al fresco at the table on the deck. You’ll have an oven, 4-burner ceramic stovetop, farmhouse sink, refrigerator with freezer, dishwasher, coffeemaker, and toaster oven. If you prefer to sample Mendocino’s fine dining or Fort Bragg’s culinary favorites, either town is a 10- minute drive away.
When you retire for the night, you’ll find two bedrooms upstairs and two downstairs. One upstairs bedroom has a queen bed, while the other has a trundle bed; downstairs, one bedroom has a queen and the other has bunk beds. Both bathrooms have showers, and one has a tub as well. A washer and dryer ensure you’ll always have clean clothes.
You’re also ideally situated for outdoor adventures, whether hiking, kayaking, or settling in for a day at the beach. At Jug Handle State Natural Reserve, discover hiking trails, a pygmy forest, and an ecological staircase. Trails along the bluffs offer breathtaking views, or follow the path down to a sandy and secluded beach.
To the south, you’ll find Russian Gulch State Park, Caspar Beach, and the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse before you arrive in Mendocino, with its quaint buildings, artists’ galleries, shops, delicious food, Big River Beach, and panoramic ocean views. If you head north, you’ll find the world-class Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (with 47 acres of trails), as well as all that Fort Bragg has to offer. Fort Bragg boasts shopping opportunities, restaurants, pubs, art galleries, the historic Noyo Harbor, the Skunk Train, Noyo Center for Marine Science, and a number of paved and accessible hiking trails along the headlands.
Continue north, and you’ll find the Haul Road trail and MacKerricher State Park, with its boardwalk to Laguna Point. The platform at Laguna Point, with its 360° views, is a great vantage point for spotting seals and sea lions, a variety of birds, and the occasional whale spout. Many of the animals frolic on the rocks offshore.
If you’re looking for the eponymous whales, you’ll have the most luck November through May, with Whale Festival events along the Mendocino Coast throughout the month of March.
Heed the siren-whale song of the coast and book your stay at the Grey Whale, a lavish vacation home perfect for your dream vacation!
THIS RENTAL IS LOCATED IMMEDIATELY SOUTH OF FORT BRAGG
This rental is located immediately south of Fort Bragg and is right in the middle and so close to some of our best beaches, parks, trails, great food, shopping and more.
Grey Whale is all about getting away from it all, the unit has WiFi, cable television, games and more.
GARBAGE There are garbage cans for Grey Whale on the east side side of the parking area of the driveway, Recycle, Standard and a green can as well.
VEHICLES There is only room for 4 vehicles at the Grey Whale and can park in the driveway right in front of this home.
WE ARE Located 34.5 miles from Willits Located 9.7 miles from Mendocino Village Located 111.0 miles from Sonoma County Airport (Santa Rosa, California) Located 117.0 miles from Santa Rosa Located 146.0 miles from Sonoma Located 134.0 miles from Petaluma Located 171.0 miles from San Francisco Located 184.0 Miles from San Francisco International Airport Located 184.0 miles from Oakland international Airport Located 189.0 miles from Sacramento Located 180.0 miles from Sacramento International airport
The vacation home is heated and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a balcony, and there's space to spread out with 4 bedrooms. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a fireplace, and a sofa bed.
Property manager
Pacific Blue Vacation Rentals
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Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
General
Unit size: 1,700 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
This property welcomes pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Note from host: We do charge non-refundable pet fee of $75.00
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 25
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit.
Property is also known as
c25114df-576b-4e8c-86fc-42cffdba440e
Frequently asked questions
What's there to do within easy reach of this vacation home?
This vacation home is located in Fort Bragg within a short 17-minute walk of Jughandle State Natural Reserve. You'll also find Skunk Train and Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens within a short drive.
Will I be able to park at this vacation home?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer parking.
Is this vacation home adjacent to a casino?
No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.
Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?
No, this vacation home doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is a hot tub.
Is Grey Whale so close to so many beaches, hikes and more!! a good place to stay for couples?
Couples staying at this vacation home will appreciate amenities like a fireplace and a kitchen as well as a firepit.
Are there hot tubs at Grey Whale so close to so many beaches, hikes and more!!?
Yes, guests can enjoy a spa tub at this vacation home.
Does this vacation home include breakfast service?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.
Does this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?
Although pets can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.
Does this vacation home have connecting rooms?
No, there aren't connecting rooms at this vacation home.
Are there rooms with balconies at Grey Whale so close to so many beaches, hikes and more!!?
Yes, every accommodation at Grey Whale so close to so many beaches, hikes and more!! comes with a balcony.
Grey Whale so close to so many beaches, hikes and more!! Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 13 reviews
10 - Excellent
11
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 13 reviews
8 - Good
2
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.6/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
8/10 Good
robert a.
May 19, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice weekend with family at the coast
Great location between Fort Bragg and Mendocino near Jug Handle Beach.
robert a.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Heather P.
May 16, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Vacation
This property was amazing! Very comfortable and the best stocked place I've ever stayed at!
Heather P.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
charlie m.
May 11, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Quick getaway
Did some fishing/beach combing and relaxing
charlie m.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
8/10 Good
Dallas T.
Apr 22, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay
A wonderful, peaceful home to stay in while in Fort Bragg. A very well stocked kitchen and space for everyone. An extremely reaponsive host!
Dallas T.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Sara N.
Apr 6, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Family Vacation Spot
Perfect house and location for our family of five plus the doggie. Kitchen fully stocked for people who love to cook. We would definitely stay again.
Sara N.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Emily S.
Mar 31, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet neighborhood & comfy home
We had three nights at Grey Whale and it was lovely. The host left good instructions and recommendations. The house had comfortable beds, lots of kitchen equipment, newly renovated bathrooms, and many games. The kitchen had an amazing appliance pantry with anything a chef could want! The garage laundry & ping pong space would benefit from better lighting. We loved that we could bring our dog along on vacation. We all enjoyed the beautiful Mendocino area!
Emily S.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Schuyler I.
Mar 23, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Coastal gem
The Gray Whale was beautiful, peaceful, and perfect for a weekend getaway. We could hear the ocean waves from the house. Super comfortable and accommodating for my friends and I. I would definitely recommend staying here. Hot tub outback was a bonus.
Schuyler I.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Booner N.
Mar 15, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice
Very nice place. Thank you
Booner N.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Dawn S.
Feb 28, 2025
Dawn S.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Julie N.
Dec 3, 2024
Great house in perfect neighborhood of Fort Bragg. Needs alittle TLC “
Carlon was exceptionally responsive and helpful with our problems. He brought 3 space heaters when I complained about temp in house. Problem ( common) with water ants! Mattresses need to be upgraded. stove us gard to figure out which burners work and which don’t.
Julie N.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
lisa k., Sacramento
Oct 15, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Family vacation
The property’s clean and well organized. The kitchen’s well stocked and lots of space around the house. My kids really enjoyed the table tennis in the garage.
lisa k.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Pam H.
Sep 14, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Gray Whale, Fort Bragg
Located in quiet neighborhood, near the town of Fort Bragg. Close to Mendocino, Botanical Garden, and Glass Beach.
Pam H.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jennah T., Northern California
Aug 21, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Great house for family
The property is large and private at the end of a dead end street. The house is spacious enough for our family of 5 adults and 3 small kids. The kitchen was stocked and clean and had everything we needed. The kids loved the game room in the garage and the second living room upstairs. The balconies offer slight ocean views and were a perfect place to have coffee and get some fresh ocean air. We enjoyed the house during our stay and would come again.