By Emma Krasov. Photography by Yuri Krasov
California’s Pacific Coast is a place of many wonderful surprises for a discerning traveler. Rugged, wind-swept cliffs over the stormy ocean, foggy meadows, endless walking and biking trails, fresh-caught seafood in casual shoreline restaurants, arts-and-crafts communities and workshops, and any amount of unique inns and hotels, each with its own story to tell await you here, in Mendocino County.
The Grey Whale Inn stands out even in this history-rich environment. The building from 1915, founded as the Redwood Coast Hospital back then, has been recently restored and renovated by Natalie and Joe Dingman who own and operate the newly-formed boutique hotel along with their children and other family members.
In Fort Bragg, a California Historical Landmark, founded in 1857 as a military garrison, and now a quaint North Coast town of about 7000 residents, the Grey Whale Inn bears more significance than any other historical structure simply because many people who live here are direct descendants of turn-of-the-century loggers, mill workers, sailors, fishermen, and longshoremen who were born, treated, and healed in this building, at the busy, full-service hospital.
In its new, glorious life as a luxurious bed and breakfast, the building still carries the artifacts of its past, like floor-to-floor ramps, formerly intended for gurneys; wide wooden doors, leading to once-upon-a-time surgery and delivery facilities—now spacious hotel rooms; an original sink, where midwives used to wash newborn babies; a fascinating speakeasy bar (crystal chandeliers, and all), and an art gallery in a basement facility that happened to be a morgue in its previous role. (Some guests say they dream especially vivid dreams in their comfy plush beds outfitted with premium linens, when staying at the Inn).
Besides the generously appointed guest rooms with all the modern conveniences, some with private kitchenettes, fireplaces, artful furnishings and wallpaper, and ocean views, the Inn has light and cozy common areas, a breakfast nook in a sunlit gift shop facility, outdoor tables for warm weather days, a penthouse terrace, suitable for parties, a fully equipped for work meetings conference room, and a spa, owned and managed by Natalie Dingman’s sister-in-law, Jesieka Grover Silva.
The hotel is tastefully decorated with period furniture, lovingly collected by the owners, and boasts dozens of masterful original oil paintings of landscapes, figures, and local Mendocino Coast scenery by Larry Silva, Natalie’s father.
Natalie, a Fort Bragg native, whose grandmother actually worked in the building as a nurse when it was a hospital, and Joe, an Air Force veteran of distinction, who displays his own military family memorabilia inside these walls, invested so much love and devotion in their legacy project that even a short stay at the Grey Whale Inn creates a joyful, unparalleled experience, and long-lasting memories.
If you’re traveling in Northern California, relaxing here, at the Inn, for a couple of nights would be great for restoring your senses, and keeping your spirits high, but should you be looking for local adventures, walking along the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, teaming with wildlife, would lead you to the famous Glass Beach—a place where one man’s trash from the past became another man’s treasure with the incessant polishing of broken glass, ceramic, and porcelain pieces by the stormy waters. (Please take only pictures, though, so other travelers could enjoy this regional landmark as well).
A short walk from the Inn leads to Noyo Headlands, from where it’s easy to watch the grey whale migration December through April. The California Western Railroad, a.k.a. the “Skunk Train” is located mere blocks from the Inn, same as fresh seafood restaurants, cute downtown shops and cafés, and art studios, like Flockworks Creative Center, where you can engage in one of the interactive art programs for a token price. (On November 18 there will be open to the public “Introduction to Rubber Stamping and Collage”, and on December 16 “Making History Cards with Letterpress and Robber Stamping” classes.
“At The Grey Whale Inn, hospitality is unhurried, personal, and sincere,” say the Dingmans. “We believe luxury is found in authenticity, meaningful service, and the feeling of being genuinely welcomed. Our commitment is to preserve the history entrusted to us while offering an exceptional guest experience – one that is intimate, elegant, and unmistakably one of a kind.”
The Grey Whale Inn is located at 615 N Main St, Fort Bragg, California, United States. For more information and reservations call +1-707-941-4227 or visit https://greywhaleinn.com/.
