Benbow Inn
Garberville, California
445 Lake Benbow Dr, Garberville, California 95542
Original Property Opened in 1926
Historic Hotels of America member since 2014
Benbow Historic Inn, 2018 Historic Hotels of America Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel (Under 75 Guestrooms) winner, sits amid natural landscapes of the Northern California coastal region, where the indescribable beauty of Avenue of the Giants and world famous redwood groves are moments away. Opened to the public as Hotel Benbow in 1926, architect Albert Farr—designer of Jack London’s Wolf House—was commissioned by the Benbow family to construct a cornerstone property for the growing resort community. The hotel in Garberville California was an instant success and popular stop for motoring tourists along the newly completed Redwood Highway, including Hollywood luminaries Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, and dignitaries Eleanor Roosevelt and President Herbert Hoover.
Discover
- Admire the Tudor Revival-style architecture present throughout the Benbow Inn. This historic hotel was one of the first hotels to accommodate travelers on the new Redwood Highway, and became known for its seclusion and elegant hospitality for both San Francisco travelers and the Hollywood elite.
- Discover the original and historic rooms of the Benbow Inn, some of which include original doors with hand-painted designs by Eva Benbow. Originally designed by noted architect Albert Farr, this hotel opened to the public in July 1926.
- Discover the beauty of the Pacific Coast at Black Sands Beach Trailhead. Hike along 3.5 miles of picturesque pebble beaches.
Explore
- Explore the magnificent Avenue of the Giants. This world-famous scenic drive is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101 that winds through Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which has the largest old-growth forest of redwoods in the world.
- Spend a day exploring the Redwood National and State Parks, as these four parks contain redwoods, prairies, streams, and more. Spanning a combined 139,000 acres, these parks protect 45% of all remaining coast redwood old-growth forests.
- Look inside the famous One-Log House. Built inside a hollowed-out 2,100-year-old redwood tree, this unique tiny home toured the United States for over 50 years before settling in the area.
Experience
- Wander through the Victorian Village of Ferndale, a charming town where the past and present meet. This stunning collection of preserved Victorian-era architecture is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Walk through the streets of Historic Old Town Eureka, a carefully preserved and restored district containing shops, museums, historic buildings, and more. Many of the buildings are prime examples of Victorian-era architecture.
- Experience Confusion Hill, which is home to the world-famous Gravity House and other unique optical illusion attractions. This officially recognized California State Point of Interest was established in 1949.
Taste
- Enjoy complimentary tea and scones every afternoon in the lobby, in addition to complimentary in-room coffee, tea, and crème sherry.
- Taste some of the finest locally sourced ingredients at the signature restaurant of the Benbow Inn, which features items from the on-site garden, fresh local seafood, and a careful selection of meats. Indulge in the seasonally rotating menu, which features a blend of international flare and local farm-to-table freshness, while sitting in the Tudor Revival-style dining room.
- Sample any of the 450 wine options and selections available at the Benbow Inn. Many of the wines are sourced from local wineries in Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino Counties. Enjoy a glass of wine by the fireplace in the lounge or out on the front porch or patio.
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
