Mendocino is remote by California standards. There is no train service to the Mendocino coast, and the nearest commercial airport is Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, about 90 miles south — itself a small regional airport with limited connections. Most visitors fly into San Francisco International (SFO) or Oakland (OAK) and drive.
By car from San Francisco: The scenic route is Highway 1 north along the coast from Bodega Bay — spectacular but slow, with hairpin turns and the road narrowing to one lane in places. Allow 4 to 5 hours from San Francisco. The faster inland route takes Highway 101 north to Cloverdale, then Highway 128 west through Anderson Valley to the coast. This takes about 3 hours and passes through good wine country along the way. Most locals use 128 for the speed and 1 for the scenery.
By bus: Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) runs a daily bus service along the coast connecting Mendocino, Fort Bragg, and Ukiah, with Ukiah having Greyhound connections. This works but requires patience — it is not a practical option for arriving from San Francisco in a single day without a very early start. Check schedules at the MTA website before planning around it.
Parking: Free parking is available throughout town and at the Mendocino Headlands trailheads, though the small lot near the Ford House fills on summer weekends. The town is compact enough to walk once you've parked.