Sallie & Eileen’s Place, Mendocino, CA
Sallie L. Werson and Eileen Wolfe
When Sallie Werson and Eileen Wolfe decided to buy and renovate the woodsy respite that would become their “place,” they called a group of female friends to help. Two women came up from Oakland to transform the cabin from a storage shack to an adorable, comfortable hideaway; another buddy helped refurbish the A-Frame into a chalet-like studio.
Both of the lodgings comprise Sallie and Eileen’s Place, a cozy getaway less than a 10-minute drive from the charming town of Mendocino and the awe-inspiring cliffs leading down to the beach. The winding coastal roads are dotted with wineries and artisanal restaurants. Visitors to the area are spoiled with options for outdoor fun: crabbing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, biking, horseback riding and even whale watching are just a few. “Walk through town to
visit the many galleries, shops and eateries” for an afternoon a little closer to civilization, Wolfe recommends. “There aren’t many bars, but there’s usually something happening in town [like] theater or dancing.”
Back at the Place, Wolfe and Werson want to make all guests feel totally at home—because they remember what it was like when they traveled as a couple before opening their B&B in 1987. “We found it hard to find places to stay where we were allowed just one bed,” Wolfe says. The hoteliers and innkeepers assumed “two people of the same gender needed two beds. We wanted a place where women could feel totally welcomed, and not have to worry about such things.”
After a busy day at the beach, guests can unwind in the hot tub and snuggle up in front of the cabin’s fireplace. “The cabin is a wonderful place to hang out,” Wolfe says. “Make some art, read, watch your computer screen or just throw the ball for Billy Elliott, our dancing charmer of a dog!”
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