Jug Handle Creek Farm

We rented out the Jug Handle for our wedding. We rented the house+ cabins on a Friday night and the whole place on the following Saturday a weekend in September. Factors in the decision: it was really affordable, many people could stay at the house, cabins, and camp, and the property was really quite charming. We were so happy that we choose the location. It helped that Saturday we had great weather.
When looking for a wedding venue, we searched in San Francisco, around the bay area and Mendocino. My mom lives up in Mendocino and we went up to see her one weekend and check out places. We didn’t have the Jug Handle on our list of places to check out that weekend, but I had seen the website, and when we were driving by we stopped there on a whim. The woman managing the property at that time was super sweet and let us look around. We loved the property, the pictures online at that time didn’t do it justice. We also really liked that we would be giving our money to a non-​profit that looked like it contributed to the community, as an alternative to feeling like we were just being gouged by renting a popular «wedding» venue. We were not looking for fancy.
We were a little concerned when the management changed earlier this year, if the new people would be Ok and if rules would change. But things worked out really well. We corresponded with Michelle for questions, who answered emails promptly and Warren greeted us when we checked in Friday and was awesome. He was nice on Sunday too when were were scrambling to pack/​clean up. They requested we rent a port-​a-​potty for the event, as there had been trouble before, Michelle said with a group of school children that clogged the pipes. It was our backup, but we didn’t end up needing it.
We used the large area downstairs in the house for drinks after the ceremony and later dancing, the area behind the house and the orchard for dinner. We had photos taken at the Jug Handle bluffs during the «golden hour» (there is a path from the property that goes under Hwy 1). We had many people stay in the house and cabins and a few people that went camping. We rented tables, chairs, heat lamps, lights from Matt Rowlands and the orchard was so pretty at night for tables for dinner for about 60 people. The house is old, but really cool and it was clean. It was a perfect venue for what we were looking for. Many people at the wedding commented on how nice the property was (we were so lucky it was a beautiful, clear weekend)

Almost 2 years ago my husband proposed to me here and 6 months ago we got married here in front of our closest friends and family. This place holds a special place in our hearts and the staff here is amazing. We hosted 50 people over two days, and it went smoothly. Everyone that came couldn’t stop talking about how special this place is.

Our local bike guide service reserved the camp ground for up to 300 bike racers and was told two days before the event that no one could use their showers. Do not use these people for camping.

This is a sweet little place just south of Ft Bragg/​Glass Beach. We drove up 1 from San Francisco on our way to Montana so we were looking for the perfect road trip stop! This was definitely it. We got in late so our instructions were waiting for us (didn’t have to wake anyone up). The cabin had a loft and a little wood stove, which we used. The communal kitchen is stocked with appliances, bring your own food. I would absolutely stay here again!

I am certainly a fan but this type of accommodation isn’t for everyone. You have to make your own bed and then strip your own bed before you leave. There is no TV and no internet. It is time to truly relax which I appreciate! Since you are sharing the house, your stay hinges upon the other people in the house. If they are quiet or not. My room was spacious and clean. The location is great and the owner was cool. I will certainly be back. They also have «cabins» which look like sheds and you can camp out here too.

We stayed here for our honeymoon with our dogs last weekend. I’m not sure if we’d go back there again when we go there for our anniversary though. The manager told us they no longer allow dog guests in their cabins so we booked dry-​tent-​camping spot and nearly froze to death. Mendocino in July is winter in Bay area. We found the next day that some people were staying in one of the cabins with their dogs. What the fuck? I didn’t bother confronting them as they probably had their reason for getting someone else (maybe their friends) in a cabin with dogs while they didn’t want to accommodate us instead, even though I told them I am a professional dog trainer and our dogs are very well behaved.
Their campground was spacious and quiet too. But… their outhouse is simply gross. We stayed away from the campground just so we don’t have to use the outhouse often. It makes me want to throw up just thinking about their outhouse again.

Was just here over the weekend with Jamie M. and loved it. Dealt with Gailen from start to finish; from making the reservation in mid-​May for a July placement down to getting checked in and even getting some answers to questions about routes, hikes, jaunts, eateries and more in the area, he was tremendously helpful and seemed to be bonded to the place and what it is all about.
The farm is just off the highway 1 headed North towards Fort Bragg. The area had a main farmhouse and several cabins only footsteps away. We stayed in the Orchard Cabin, which is about 30 extra footsteps from the farmhouse (I’m counting footsteps because Gailen initially told me over the phone that getting to the bathroom may take 5 minutes from the Orchard Cabin, the farthest cabin of them all from the farmhouse where restrooms and showers may be found; the walk is a mere minute at most). Orchard Cabin has two double beds, one on the ground and one on a left with a woodsy, comfy feel inside. Smells slightly of moth balls and has a heating cauldron of sorts with plenty of firewood. We used it on both nights and loved it. We also had a balcony which was on the ground level, not the loft level, and since it is fairly exposed to an open pasture, you probably want to keep your tom-​foolery to a minimum there.
Loved the farmhouse which contains a few distinct rooms that take you back in time to a Mendocino that is probably not too unlike modern Mendocino; rustic furnishings, chairs crowded around the heating stove, books, maps, a well-​tuned piano, puzzles, large windows, and an upstairs area that I never got to explore (where the extra rooms are). There are 3 total restrooms, 2 of which have baths, so you’ll rarely be waiting around for one unless it’s an unusually busy time of day or year.
Cabins don’t have locks unless you’re inside. I thought that was actually endearing; really means you can trust people who are around.
And, you will definitely meet the requisite European traveler who seem to be at every type of hostel no matter where in the world. Our European traveler was a German man riding across the world on a motorcycle named Gabe; he had riden from Germany, down through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and India and finally into Malaysia, where he «mailed» his bike to Los Angeles, and flew to it and came to Mendocino. Cool.
So the cabin was $ 86 a night, which I think is the most expensive accommodation you can get there. That’s it. Bring your food, use the facilities, go on hikes, and that’s really all you have to pay. Huge steal if you want to stay in the Mendocino area (this particular plot of land resides in Caspar just before the Fort Bragg city limit), have your ocean view/​access and want to relax. Highly highly recommended.

If you are looking for something different than just booking any motel for your Mendocino getaway, this is your place!
Book a cabin if you want some intimacy, we booked the Eucalyptus one, a rustic little place with one single bed and a double upstairs as well as the do-​it-​yourself fire place, and the bathroom and shower are to be shared in the Farm house. We almost regretted not booking in the Farm house for the real community experience, but we will be back!
Yes, we did the mistake to believe that we could not put more wood in the fire before sleeping and woke up freezing but hey, dude, you could have though about it!
Very friendly people and the scenery of the place itself is great.

We had a terrible stay in this place.
We were explained that we have to leave all the doors and lights open (no intimacy!!!) and then when a big group arrived, they were all over the place and we just didn’t know where to be to find a little peace and calm.
What really bothered us is that we were not said it often happens that big groups book the place. So you SHOULDN’T go to this place if you want to spend a quiet or peaceful or relaxing time.

Such a wonderful place! Friendly folks & a great location. Michael, the person who runs hospitality there is super helpful and will answer any question you have.
It has a kind of hostel-​like feel w/​a bunch of great common space, friendly people always around, and a really nice and big common kitchen. The location is hard to beat — within short walking distance to a wonderful little beach & a pygmy forest hike! And super close to Ft. Bragg that has a kind of whole foods-​ish kind of supermarket (Harvest Market or something) so you can easily get groceries within a 5 minute drive or so. Also Eggheads, the breakfast spot in town, is really tasty & has a crazy amazing menu. What’s not to love?
I think it would be great as an individual get-​away if you like hostels (and only $ 38/​night for students for a private room & cheaper in the dorm!) It was also nice as a get-​away for a couple, especially if you stay in the quaint cabins instead of the farm house. The cabins may not be for everyone, but my boyfriend and I really loved staying in the cabin ourselves & they’re super clean and comfortable (they are a little small/​outdoorsy & you have to start a fire in the wood stove, though Michael can show you how if you’re unsure).
Also, they run awesome ecology classes for kids, so it’s great to support this friendly, positive place!

This is quite the experience. Everybody is very friendly and the «vibes» of a place like this are pretty good. It has quite a romantic atmosphere. (We stayed in the farmhouse.) But you are paying 80 dollars a night for a tiny room with an old bed that you have to clean yourself. I guess it is just part of being in this expensive area.
They don’t take debit/​credit cards. You have to physically mail them an envelope with a check in it to guarantee your reservation. I think they kind of enjoy being this «old fashioned». But paypal/​squareup would be kind of nice too.

Laid back place. Super friendly people. They even have electricity at the camp sites … not just water.
Easy trails to get to all kinds of places. Woodsy, quiet area.
Prices are great.

This place has a lot of great qualities but I give it a three star because I was really cold even with the fireplace going downstairs. The positives include:
— Amazing property with an organic garden you are welcome to harvest from
–Awesome trails to the beach and «staircase» trail (to a pygmy forest) is available from the property
–You are left to your own devices (big kitchen to cook, large table, lots of places to sit and read downstairs, and a fireplace you are welcome to burn at any time)
This is a great place for a large group of people in the summer time!

A few months ago, I got married at this location, and I couldn’t be happier about our choice.
A little bit about the place: it has beautiful pine trees all over, and is the first handicap camping ground in the united states! please note, however, that that was over 80 years ago, and the trails built for the wheelchairs are dilapidated, and it ISN’T a handicap campground anymore. there is a large meadow and another smaller one closer to the house — both are flat and beautiful…
there is a large victorian farm house that can sleep 19 – 20 people and 3 cute cabins right next to it — you can sleep a lot of people here, or the camping ground can hold well over 100 people EASY.
The victorian house is rustic and homely — please note that even though it’s CHEAP, you are going to have to clean it — and i mean CLEAN it, or they will charge you a cleaning fee…
the inn keepers (Michael and Monika) are delightful — I feel like we’ve gained a couple of friends there!
There’s a great trail leading to the beach — you have to go UNDER highway 1, or you can turn right and take the famous stairway trail. The farm is an entrance point to the JugHandle state farm — full of gorgeous trails and nature :)
If you’re planning an event in Mendocino, I highly recommend this spot. Also, this is a nature reserve, so your money will go to help maintain this beautiful spot, and not pad someone’s pocket…

God I love this place!
Definitely not for everyone. We got the cozy Eucalyptus cabin. I slept in the loft, which gets hot and stuffy with the wood stove on. Had some trouble stoking up the stove. And its really cold at night. All this only adds to the experience.
The main house is charming, authentically rustic and surprisingly well maintained. The keepers are friendly, available, and helpful.
The grounds are an inviting, highly explorable mix of open fields, shady forests, gardens, and orchards. The location is 10 minutes drive from the town of Mendocino, and a lovely 15 minute walk thru the forest basin to a beautiful cove beach. I could not stop smiling the whole time I was there, and could imagine spending an entire relaxing week based solely at this retreat, exploring ocean beaches, coastal towns, and redwood forests.
If you’re the true outdoorsy type who just wants to enjoy the Mendocino coast without going the typical 4-​star b&b route, I highly recommend this.

We camped for two nights and it was fantastic. The setting is amazingly beautiful and peaceful. The camping area is set toward the back of the property from the cabins and farmhouse, so it feels like your own campground. There is running water at a sink and counter which made making meals for our group of 17 really easy.
Michael and Monica, the innkeepers, are wonderfully friendly.

I camped on the property with a group of friends in preparation for an upcoming wedding to be held on site. The grounds were wonderful and include a nice trail leading to the nearby beach, and you don’t have to cross Hwy 1 to get to it! There were wild turkeys, eagles, hawks and the beach is close enough to hear the sea lions barking in the morning.
The garden is beautiful and we got to meet Linda, who showed us how to eat the right leaves from a fava bean plant, instruction us on how to cook them into eggs.
The downside of camping was when one of the caretakers showed up around 1pm to ask if we were staying an extra night as check out was 11am. Check out for camping is at 11am!!! No one I know of gets up, eats brekky, breaks camp and is out by 11am! So if you camp, be sure to discuss check out time. We were permitted to stay (eventually leaving at 5p) but it was uncomfortable.
The house was quaint, but full of «do not» do this and that signs, making it feel a little bossy. Don’t leave your bed like this; with photo. Do not flush toilet paper unless it’s for #2. Do not smoke on the patio (OK, that’ s a great rule). And if you get up often in the night to use the lavatory, they are downstairs across the creaky floors.
I’m anxious to go back for the wedding and if you like quaint old homes or really nice camp grounds, be sure to check them out!

The Jughandle Creek Farm is a cute little guest house located across from the Jughandle State Reserve. Monica and Michael, the new care takers, were WONDERFUL and EXTREMELY FRIENDLY. We stayed upstairs in one of the bedrooms in the Farm House. They have a couple of private cabins and a campground. There is also a Nature Educational Center. The farmhouse has 3 shared bathrooms for all guests, shared living and dining areas, and a large shared kitchen for cooking. They have an organic garden which guests are free to pick from. Sheets and towels are included, bring your own warm bedding it gets cold at night. There is limited cell for phone service, so dont expect internet or phone calls, they have a payphone outside if needed. Fees are per person and extremely reasonable. This place was a great find, we loved our stay here.

A grant funded, coastal venue with historical and natural rustic– beauty appeal. The main house is a darn good deal for a group, but I agree with other reviewers that the do and don’t signage is excessive and that you must be your own maid after you have paid to stay seems a bit much. On the other hand, it is beautiful, relatively private, unique and relaxing retreat. Also, no pets allowed in the main house. Not sure if you can have them on the campground. If you are a Marriott type person you probably won’t appreciate this diamond in the rough. Oh yes, please fix the pipes so that tp can be flushed without guilt.