Temple Kwan Tai Museum

Not sure what rating to put as we didn’t get a chance to go inside. We were there on both Sat and Sunday but the temple was closed. Looks like it only opened on the weekend for a very limited time.
We were there around 2pm on Saturday but it was closed although the hour is 12pm –3pm. We thought we would have a second choice to visit it on Sunday as there is a sign on the window that listed the hour as 11am-​2pm.
The exterior looks well maintained though and it is very unique building and has a lot of history. So if you are around the area and it opens, check it out.

If You drove into town, you probably wouldn’t even have known a temple like this existed because it is not on a Main Street and it is tiny! I actually found this temple through Unilocal.My grandmother likes to visit temples and we were going to be in the area so I decided to take her here. I like going as well, gives me a sense of calming.
There isn’t much to see here. And there is only one lady who works here, who is absolutely the sweetest lady. She told us the history behind the temple and how her great grandfather had built it long ago. Her father entrusted her with the temple so now it is her duty to protect and look over it. You probably can’t tell but she’s actually part Chinese!
FYI there are no restrooms there but a nice art center two blocks up offered their restroom :)

A little gem in Mendo to visit. Docents are there May-​Oct on the weekends. Definitely stop by and visit with the docents as they have a lot they can share with you on the Chinese history in the area. They’re very friendly and welcoming. Other Unilocalers’ reviews explain this wonderful CA State Historical Landmark. But give it a visit as you’ll have a nice visit.

Like most people I suspect, Jamie W. and I came upon this little house quite by accident since we were making our way to the headlands from the town center off the main thoroughfare. I was immediately struck by the bright teal color contrasting with the faded red of the steps (see my photo). We knew it wasn’t your standard clapboard, «Murder She Wrote» cottage, and yet we were wondering how the owner violated the all-​white, Cape Cod-​style conformity of the rest of the homes.
As it turns out, it’s a Taoist temple built by the first Chinese settlers in the early 1850’s. In fact, it’s the oldest Taoist temple in the state. The temple is dedicated to the Chinese god of war, and the outside of the building has a sign that says from (right to left) «mo dai miu», translates to mean «Temple to the Military God». It’s open on weekends but only between May and October. For the rest of the year, you have to turn into a lookie-​loo like me and unapologetically peep through the windows. They don’t mind… I think.

If you’ve visited the town of Mendocino, you’ve probably walked by the Temple. It’s on Albion Street, one block behind Main Street. The temple has been preserved by family members and is now a recognized State Historical Landmark. Very recognizable by the bright red exterior. You can peek through the windows to see the interior which is closed to the public. But the altar and many of the artifacts are authentic. This temple was built by one of the earliest Chinese settlers in Northern California.

A state historical landmark, this temple was built by the first Chinese settlers in the Mendocino area during the 1850s. The building, only recently recognized as a state landmark, has been beautifully kept up by the family that built it over 150 years ago. Occasionally, the Joss House is open for the public to visit.