Living in Mendocino County

Ukiah is a unique small town that charms you with its rich character, arts, vineyards and natural surroundings. It offers a little bit of everything for everyone, from outdoor activities and an historic downtown, all of which is surrounded by lush vineyards and rolling green hills. Here, it is eclectic, quaint, unconventional and a place where freedom of expression is a tradition and a way of life. Sunset Magazine recently profiled Ukiah, praising it’s “19th century architecture, charming tree-lined neighborhoods, and laid-back vibe.”

Named California’s best small town, the sixth best in the entire country, Ukiah enjoys 300 days of sunshine each year. Located just two hours north of San Francisco and 45 minutes from the Pacific Coast, there is undoubtedly a reason why so many families feel passionate about calling this home.

Places of Interest:

  • Lake Mendocino: Lake Mendocino is perfect for hikers, campers, fisherman and outdoor enthusiasts. Miles of trails wind through the redwood trees and around the lake, making it the perfect place for kayaking, paddling, swimming and more. It’s the perfect place to live or visit for a weekend getaway.

  • Hiking and Biking: With rolling hills, Lake Mendocino and thousands of miles of trails, Ukiah is a hiker’s dream.

  • Parks: From Cow Mountain, a 52,000-acre park, to Low Gap Park, an 80-acre park featuring skating, tennis, playgrounds, dog parks, a picnic area, archery range and amphitheater and miles of scenic hiking trails, and Montgomery Woods, a 700-acre redwood park, and many others, there are thousands of acres of beautiful parks with plenty for everyone.

  • Vichy Springs: Named after the world-famous springs first discovered by Julius Caesar in France, Ukiah’s Vichy Springs surge from six miles deep from within the earth. Featuring the only warm and naturally carbonated “Vichy” mineral baths in North America, the water is naturally warm and effervescent, filled with minerals and energy. The Resort combines its natural and historic charm with modern comfort and convenience.

  • Downtown Ukiah: This historic town boasts plenty of arts, entertainment, specialty shops, restaurants and a cool downtown vibe with plenty of sophistication and charm.

Community Activities

Want to know what's going right in the town of Ukiah? The community calendar of events is packed with activities, be sure to check out these staff recommendations as well:

  • City of 10,000 Buddhas: This is the first large Buddhist monastic community in the United States. Over a hundred volumes of Buddhist scriptures have been translated into English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages here, laying a solid foundation for the dissemination of the Buddhadharma in the West.

  • Space Theater: School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education (SPACE) SPACE’s mission is to empower our youth to discover and trust in their innate ability to be creative, responsible and compassionate individuals through effective training in dance, theater, music and cultural education.

Learn More About Mendocino County

To get to know Mendocino County, your first stop should be the visit Mendocino county website. From the coastline to the forest, inland to in-town, you’ll have many dynamic experiences to choose from. View Visit Mendocino​ today and check out their Instagram as well.

Schools and Housing

Whether renting or buying is right for you, there are beautiful homes available in Mendocino County, many options are within a reasonable commuting distance to the hospital.​

For residents who have or are planning children you can find a list of quality academic programs​ for students grade K-12 both within Ukiah and greater Mendocino County.