My wife and I have been returning for several years with other friends - this place is quiet, cosy, and very much a nesting place. Common areas allow us to socialize - we love the pot belly stove! We arrive with food for lunches and dinner and use the small but functional cooking facilities (food bought in Fort Bragg, on the way up). Great beach to walk on, and ocean cliff-side walks, too. Sally's Breakfasts are gorgeously wonderful - and in truth, are so good that we often skip lunch. We BBQ nightly - and soak in the tub, read, and play board games. No TV!... Great, long, rejuvinating sleeps. Note: Howard Creek Ranch is sort of funky and has wonderful nooks and interesting crannies -- clean and orderly, and perfect for those seeking a respite from the crazed, picture perfect world of make believe other B&B's present.

I feel the 60-acre Howard Creek Ranch offers simply the best of California's lost coast. It is rustic, intimate, remote and right on the ocean. Its owners clearly aim to retain the essence of the pioneer spirit that developed this land - and they succeed, in Sunny's exceptional hand-crafted wood, tile and land-maintenance work and Sally's decorating expertise, daily farmhouse breakfasts, garden, library, and overall dedication to preserving the original buildings. Charming accents include a fun swinging bridge and a goofy surprise at the end of a hike on the property. Yes, there are construction works-in-progress that minimally distract us visitors from the mental escape sought, but the attributes unquestionably make up for it. We saw abundant wildlife, old growth trees, had brilliant weather, thoroughly enjoyed our gorgeous rooms (Walden/Redwood Suite) and meals - though they are best-tasting right at 9AM - so late sleepers - be forewarned. Check in and check out were smooth and easy. I felt the attention to our needs was easily met. Rubber boots are provided for tromping around the beach, massage is available, hot water plentiful. Westport Deli 3 miles south has excellent rustic sandwiches and a good wine selection. This place is geared for any adventurous, nature-loving spirit in need of a refuge from civilization.

Howard Creek Inn is....is....is.....well, the best word to describe it is "unique".

If you are looking for a cookie cutter Pottery Barn inspired Bed and Breakfast Inn, Howard Creek Inn is not for you. If you are in search of something different, something a little out of the ordinary, something you experience rather than observe, then this out of the way Inn just might be what you are looking for.

My wife and I stayed in the Solar Room which is in the Barn. You get to the barn by crossing a swinging rope bridge that leaves you with the feeling that everything below your feet is moving...or perhaps it
is; the Barn is a Winchester Mystery House inspired piece of construction, built from salvaged buildings that Sunny picked over during the 30 year...and ongoing...construction process. It looks sturdy enough but it would probably make most building inspectors drop dead on the spot.

The Solar Room itself is a masterpiece. Beautiful redwood detail, stained glass windows and wonderful decorative floors. The bed is huge and very comfortable. Outside there is a common area filled with bric-a-brac, mismatched furniture from the 1870s and 1970s. Aluminum tube chairs next to comfy leather sofas; like I said, Pottery Barn it ain't.

The exterior of the building and the grounds are equally unkempt. The gardener in me wanted to take a weed wacker to the place and clean it up, but neatly manicured lawns and borders would somehow detract from the hippie commune atmosphere. A little extra care in cleaning up some old cobwebs on the outside of the building and a lick of paint here and there wouldn't go amiss however.

The hosts, Sunny and Sally, are wonderful people and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Sunny built the barn and many of the out buildings himself and is a very interesting guy to talk to. Sally cooks an amazing breakfast which is served family style in the original 1870s farmhouse. Part of the appeal of Howard Creek Inn is the people you meet there and sharing your opinions of the place. Some of our fellow diners were repeat visitors and others like ourselves were there for the first time and were still trying to get used to the place's unique rough and ready charm. Our breakfast conversations were among the highlights of the stay.

The one major drawback of Howard Creek Inn is also its most appealing
quality and that is its remoteness. It is WAY-Y-Y-Y the heck out there. You are 40 minutes in a fast car with a fearless driver from the nearest restaurant and about 50 minutes from Mendocino town. Your options for evening dining are either to bring back a picnic and a bottle of wine or dine in town and designate a driver for the long drive back.

I have stayed in too many cookie cutter characterless Inns and Hotels in my life to be moved to write a critique of any of them. This place is different. It oozes character, and if you are willing to suspend your conventional expectations, then you might just experience something special.

My wife and I spent five days at the Howard Creek Ranch Inn over our one year anniversary. While we enjoyed every day there I would caution that this bed and breakfast is not for everyone. If you are looking for a plush and clean stay this is not for you. However, if you want quietness and nature with a rustic setting, this will be more of your style.

We stayed in the Redwood Suite which was very nice, yet the outside of the building does look dirty and run down. The bed was huge and extremely comfortable but the bathroom was quite small. This suite says it has a private jacuzzi, but we could never get the water to stay hot enough to even get it half way filled. Instead we used the jacuzzi that was for everyone which is upstairs.

There are lots of things to do around the ranch and the beach and ocean are 200 yards away. There is a trail that leads into the
"Enchanted Forest" which has a very interesting surprise for those who make it to the top. To get to our room we had to cross a bridge that only holds one person at a time.

Sally was a wonderful resource for information on things to do around
the area. Ask her a question and she will tell you everything you want to know. I didn't see Sonny as much but he fits his nickname well. The breakfasts were amazing and the coffee was available early.
My wife and I would definitely stay there again.