The Andiron Seaside Inn & Cabins

Eleven Redwood Cabins, Each Decorated On Its Own Terms

The Andiron sits on five acres of meadow and woods along Highway 1 in Little River, just south of Mendocino, with decks looking down a grassy hill to a fringe of cypress trees and the Pacific beyond. New owners took over eleven redwood cabins and redecorated each one with quirky rummage-sale finds rather than a matching catalog, so no two rooms share a theme: Cabin No. 5, called Read, goes all in on library chic, while others lean toward retro, nautical, or playfully eclectic looks built around whatever the owners found worth keeping, from vintage signage to secondhand furniture with a story.

Why It Works

We chose The Andiron because it treats decor as a point of view rather than a budget line. Hidden animal figurines tucked into some cabins turn a stay into something close to a scavenger hunt, and the handmade, mismatched approach to furnishing eleven separate cabins is the kind of detail a corporate redwood-coast inn would standardize away. It's playful without losing the comfort a coastal getaway needs: kitchenettes, fireplaces, and full-sized refrigerators sit alongside the magic 8-balls and telescopes.

Why This Location

Little River sits a few minutes south of Mendocino village, close enough for its galleries, headlands, and restaurants without the crowds that build up in the village itself during high season. The property's own five acres back onto meadow and forest before the land drops to the coast, giving guests a quieter version of the Mendocino coastline than a cliffside hotel directly on Highway 1. Wineries and beaches up and down this stretch of coast are all within a short drive, and the redwood forests further inland make for an easy day away from the water, with Fort Bragg's glass beach and skunk train close enough for a half-day trip for guests staying more than a night or two.

Fast Facts

• Prix: €€

• Vibe: eclectic, playful, redwood-coast cabins

• Chambres: 11 individually decorated redwood cabins, some connectable for families

• Best For: couples who want character over polish, families, anyone touring the Mendocino coast

• Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: the hidden animal figurines tucked into the decor of several cabins

• Dining: weekend happy hour with fondue and wine, toast bar breakfast

• Amenities: hot tub, archery, fire pits with s'mores kits, petting area with goats and chickens

• Attractions: Mendocino village, coastal wineries, Pacific beaches and headlands

A Petting Area, an Archery Range, and a Coastal Backyard

Beyond the cabins themselves, the property runs more like a small coastal camp for adults than a standard inn: a petting area with goats and chickens, an archery range, fire pits stocked with s'mores kits, and badminton on the lawn fill the hours between a cliffside walk and dinner. Summer movie nights and star-gazing lean into the setting's actual advantage, dark skies and open meadow, rather than competing with amenities a rural property can't really offer, like a full spa or a fine-dining room, and the informal, slightly scruffy charm is clearly the point rather than an oversight.

What to Know Before You Check In

Wi-Fi here runs at a country pace, fine for checking messages, not built for streaming, which suits a property that wants guests looking at the cypress trees instead of a screen. Dogs are welcome in designated cabins, charcoal grills are provided on-site, and the five acres of meadow and woods mean a car is useful for reaching Mendocino village and the wineries further along Highway 1, with cabins booking up well ahead for summer and fall weekends given the property's small scale.