MENDOCINO BOTANICAL GARDENS

Meet at 8:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory to carpool and at 8:30 at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) to carpool to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, Fort Bragg. This is a LONG drive for us so be forewarned. Hikers north of Anchor Bay should call the leaders ahead of time if you want to be picked up along the way. There is an admission charge for the Gardens unless you are a MCBG member or a member of a reciprocal garden ($15 General, $12 Senior, $10 Mendocino County resident).  Our leaders are members and member's guests are $10 if they come in with a member so it shouldn't be more than $10 a person. This garden includes 47 acres of manicured gardens, diverse plant collections, forests, streams, fern canyons and bluffs. We will walk out to the Cliff House and see spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean along the Coastal Bluff Trail and visit the vegetable garden where a lot of produce is grown and donated to the food bank. Dahlias, heritage roses, heathers, begonias, fuchsias, hydrangeas, perennials are at their peak bloom August-October. Dogs are welcome on leash. Those who want to can eat at Rhody's Cafe where you can get fresh made sandwiches and salads, homemade soup and desserts, coffee, drinks, and Cowlick's ice cream. Please let Mary Sue know by phone or email (msittner@mcn.org) one week in advance if you plan to come and eat at Rhody's so they will be able to accommodate us as Rhody's is very busy this summer. We will order and pay when we arrive and our lunch will be ready to pick up when we are done hiking. You can get an idea of the possibilities by looking at the menu on Facebook. It's also fine to bring your lunch if you prefer. https://www.facebook.com/pg/RhodysGardenCafe/menu/?ref=page_internal
Leaders: Bob & Mary Sue
photos contributed by Mary Sue