Pacific Star Winery is positioned along the Mendocino coast in Fort Bragg, California, and it possesses without a doubt one of the most dramatic views of any winery. Here's everything you need to know about visiting this coastal gem!
When visiting Mendocino County, this is a must-visit location for wine lovers! You'll enjoy a picturesque drive along HWY 1 from downtown Fort Bragg to arrive to this spot, which takes around 15-20 minutes.
We initially came across Pacific Star Winery by chance during a camping trip at Westport Beach, and after driving past, I knew we'd have to come back to visit again! The winery is about 10 minutes up Highway 1 from Westport Beach and RV Park, which is an excellent spot to stay if you prefer to camp in Fort Bragg. You can read about our beach camping experience here.
We revisited Fort Bragg in May of 2021 while on another camping road trip to Patrick's Point State Park, and it was well worth the extra stop! Plus, who doesn't love stock piling local wine with them when they go camping?
If you are looking for other places to stay and things to do while visiting the Mendocino area, you can read my full visitors guide here.
Stay locally in a hotel or rental home!
Before visiting Pacific Star Winery, there is pertinent information that you should know. Because it's such a remote spot, you'll want to double-check all details before heading out to the Mendocino coast.
Hours and Address:
33000 CA-1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Open Thurs-Sun 12pm-5pm
Parties of 10+ Call Ahead
You might be wondering why is it called Pacific Star? Well, Pacific Star Winery is named after a unique geologic fault line that runs across their specific coastline. The exposed rocks on their property are 130,000 years old! You should note that there are no vineyards on the property of Pacific Star Winery, as they source their grapes from local Mendocino Wineries to make their wines.
There are many wineries in California, but the Mendocino region is particularly appealing since it is nestled between a beautiful coastline and mountain ranges. Pacific Star Winery's spectacular and dramatic ocean vistas are hard to surpass. No wonder this coastal gem went viral on Tik Tok, here were some of my most asked questions about visiting!
Keep an eye out for whales migrating, as you look out across the picturesque ocean while drinking a bottle of wine!
Do you need a reservation?
You don't need a reservation, but you should call ahead if you are planning to come in group of 10 or more people. There's no need to be worried about finding a seat because the property is quite vast, with plenty of seating selections for couples and groups. Grab a bottle of wine and settle into one of their Adirondack chairs to take in the views of the coast.
When are the Best Times to Visit?
The best times to visit Fort Bragg and the Mendocino region depend on what you may be looking to get out of your trip. April - October are the warmest and least rainy months, although coastal winds can pick up during this time. December-April is the best time if you are looking to see the gray whale migration along the coast. Who wouldn't want to watch the whales migrate while sipping a glass of wine and looking out over the ocean?
Make Sure to dress cozy!
Is the Wine Expensive?
The wine itself at Pacific Star Winery is very reasonably priced and you can get a wine tasting flight of 5 wine samples for $12! Especially if you compare it to Napa prices which will cost you at least 2x more! I love that each wine is an ode to the unique geology and property of Pacific Star Winery.
Where is the Nearest Airport?
The nearest international airport to Fort Bragg, CA would be San Francisco Airport (SFO), which is approximately a 3.5 hour drive. The drive itself is gorgeous and I recommend taking the scenic route!
Are Dogs Allowed at the Winery?
Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the tasting room or on the bluff, so you will need to leave your fur baby in the car. Although, they do have a dog walking section on site.
If you are looking to explore more wineries in California you have to download my FREE WINERY BUCKET LIST!
I hope you have an awesome time exploring this hidden gem of winery along the Northern California coast! I love hearing your experiences visiting spots from my blog, so feel free to DM or tag me on Instagram!
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