18725 N Highway 1, Fort Bragg, California, United States | (888) 635-3814
Cozy fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs
Fresh home-baked cookies at the front desk
Large outdoor hot tub with deck, open year-round
Picnic areas with gas and barbecue grills
Cottages have private carports
All rooms are non-smoking
Free Wi-Fi
Welcome basket for guest dogs upon check-in
No breakfast or food service on site
No air-conditioning
No fitness facilities or swimming pool
The 11-room, mid-range Shoreline Cottages is charming and romantic, like a friendly campground with the comfort of guest rooms. The property resembles a quaint roadside motel. Guests have the option of Family Rooms (sleeping four), Suites, or adorable freestanding Cottages with private carports. The grounds are park-like, with wooded areas and a large lawn with a fire pit where guests gather to socialize over s'mores. Rooms are clean and homey, with modern bathrooms, comfortable beds, and, in some, kitchenettes or full kitchens. There is no fitness center, pool, nor on-site restaurant, but the beach is five minutes away, and there are restaurants within walking distance.
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Scene
Outdoorsy and fun, with picnic areas and barbecue grills
A row of light-green cottages, with fresh white trim and lovely flower beds and planters, charm guests on arrival. The lobby has home-baked cookies, courtesy of the owner's mother; otherwise, the room is utilitarian, with postcards for sale, brochures for area attractions, and a small library of DVDs, magazines, and books to borrow. Outside, the grounds feel park-like, with picnic tables and barbecue grills -- both gas and charcoal-- set amidst the trees. There is a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs where guests gather at night. The hot tub, large enough for six, has a small deck space for sunbathing. The Shoreline is a friendly, outdoorsy motel made excellent by the owner's careful attention to detail and upkeep. All in all, it's a fun, laid-back place to stay.
Location
In a commercial neighborhood, five minutes' walk from the beach
Shoreline Cottages is located in a residential and commercial neighborhood south of Fort Bragg. Set back from the road, the property is a reasonably quiet spot for an outdoorsy break -- highway noise can be heard in the outdoor spaces. There are plenty of places to eat and shop in the immediate area, and the beach is five minutes' walk from the hotel. The Cottages is a great base for visiting Fort Bragg and the wineries and sights of Mendocino. San Francisco is three hours away, or five hours via scenic Highway One; Sacramento is a four-hour drive.
Rooms
Bright and clean, with gas fireplaces and cooking facilities
Rooms at the Shoreline Cottages are clean and fresh, painted in bright colors with cheerful printed bedspreads and hardwood floors or pretty carpets. The sweet little cottages each have a theme (such as dolphin, birdhouse, or lighthouse), reflected in the artwork and colors. Sun and Surf Suites have whirlpool tubs and rain showers; some have private backyard patios. All rooms have flat-screen TVs with cable, DVD players, microwaves, and coffeemakers; some have kitchenettes or full kitchens. Room Eight has facilities for scuba divers to clean their gear. Some cottages have private carports, which bikers may also appreciate. Rooms near the fire pit can be noisy.
Features
Picnic tables and grills, whirlpool, and a dog-friendly policy
Shoreline Cottages is dog-friendly (there's even a resident Golden Retriever), and provides a welcome basket for four-legged guests upon check-in. The closest beach, five minutes' walk from the hotel, allows dogs to run off-leash. There is a library of DVDs, magazines, and books for guests to borrow. There are picnic tables on the grounds with charcoal and gas grills for cooking out, and a fire pit for evening gatherings. The whirlpool fits six, and there is an attached sundeck. There is an area for divers to wash their gear after use.
