Same Time, Next Year
Romance — or not — on the Mendocino Coast at Heritage House
Story and images by Carole Terwilliger Meyers
The romantic 1970s movie, Same Time, Next Year, filmed at The Heritage House Resort in the tiny burg of Little River on the spectacular Mendocino Coast, is the story of two married people who are each visiting the inn solo and wind up having an affair. However, they love their spouses, too, and so decide to stay married but to return here annually to continue their affair. I suggest you scrap that dangerous plot line and instead visit Heritage House with your significant other, as most guests do.
Not following my own advice, I, like the woman in the movie, recently visited this gorgeously positioned inn without my spouse because, unfortunately, he had to cancel out on our trip at the last minute. I decided to go anyway, without him. Fortunately, I found plenty to keep me busy without compromising my marriage vows.
The first day of my two-night visit was spent driving in. Though I drove straight through from the Bay Area in under four hours via Highway 101 and then 128, winding through a dramatic redwood forest before arriving at Highway 1, you might want to plan a stop at the Booneville General Store for one of their specialty hand pies. Also, this area offers many opportunities for some wine tasting. You can taste exceptional sparkling wines at the elegant Roederer Estate, which produces all of its own grapes and ages its wines in elegant, carved French oak barrels. The more informal Husch Vineyards makes a popular Mendocino Chardonnay and an Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Sample them inside the winery’s charming rose-covered tasting cabin, or perhaps with a picnic at a table under a vine-sheltered arbor.
After checking into my room at Heritage House, I didn’t want to do much more than stare out at the fabulous ocean cove view and listen to the sounds of the sea. I did finally mosey on over to the main house lounge to relax on overstuffed couches and enjoy a cocktail at the bar before sunset. I timed my dinner in the dining room for sunset, so I could enjoy even longer the 270-degree view of the coastline.
A while back, a stay here included breakfast and dinner, and men were expected to wear suit jackets to dinner. A complimentary tea was served in the afternoon, and toasters were on every table at breakfast. No more. Things have changed, some due to COVID. Now meals are optional, giving you the opportunity to sample some of the other fine restaurants in the area, and dress can be as casual as jeans and a sweater.
On the first night I had dinner in the dining room, enjoying a perfectly prepared salmon steak and freshly baked breads. The second night, I drove into Mendocino for a meal in the charming converted house that holds the celebrated Cafe Beaujolais, which serves organically grown produce and luscious house-baked breads. My tasty pork chop entree was topped with a light ginger-plum sauce and served with comforting mashed yellow potatoes.
During my one full day at Heritage House, I chose to wake up on my own clock, lighting the propane fire to warm the room while I leisurely got ready. I can’t remember the last time I felt so rested. Perhaps it was due to the enveloping cuddle of the feather bed.
Breakfast in the dining room is ordered from a menu that offers a yummy eggs Benedict, absolutely perfect home fries, and flavorful bacon from a local provider. As I dined, surveying the spectacular ocean view, I noticed the two cabins named for the movie, “Same Time” and “Next Year,” each with a spiffy sportscar parked out front. (These are the most popular units, even though stars Alan Alda and Ellyn Burstyn actually stayed separately, in Meadow 1 & 2, during filming.)
While I was eating, the dining staff had, unasked, arranged for maid service, and so I was able to return to my room and relax. Some guests spend the entire day in their room, ordering a picnic lunch from the kitchen and then picnicking on their deck or in their room (there is no room service here). Others, who are able to drag themselves away from this magical spot, find plenty to do in the area — driving in to Mendocino for some shopping in one-of-a-kind boutiques, or up to Fort Bragg to ride the Skunk Train, or to the river for a canoe ride and picnic.
I found complete contentment strolling the property and checking out a fragrant rose garden, visiting a wildly scenic cliff-top gazebo, taking the stairs and path down to a tiny, rocky cove beach, watching the resident French domestic ducks waddle around the pond, befriending Boots the cat, soaking in my huge ocean-view Jacuzzi tub, and simply reading.
One of the things I read was the journal kept in my room. You’ve probably also read one of these often tattered journals in some B&B. They’re always interesting, and fun to add to, and sometimes the comments really hit the nail on the head. Sitting in front of a cozy, warming fire, with my comfy chair positioned toward the ocean view and with the sliding door to the deck open just a little, letting in the soothing sounds of breaking waves, I read the entire journal.
It was fascinating. Some people wrote of being here for an affair (just like in the movie) or to celebrate a special occasion. Others were proposing marriage, consummating a new marriage, reaffirming an old marriage, trying to save a faltering marriage, and even dissolving a marriage. Here’s a peek at what they said:
“We came here to save our marriage. . . to do so many things we haven’t done together in so long . . . laugh, cry, reflect, take walks, enjoy each other’s company, and try to remember why we fell in love in the first place.”
“After my husband of more than 20 years decided that he wanted a divorce, I thought my life was over and wanted to die! However, God had a much better plan — Bill! We came here for our honeymoon . . .”
“We spent our honeymoon here. Two people with much to learn from one another. Both of us happy and grateful to be together for the second time around. Eat, drink, and remarry!”
“We struggled through some painful issues about our relationship, things we wanted not to deal with, especially here in this perfect place. But in the end everything turned out wonderful and romantic. Mark proposed marriage to me and I accepted.”
And someone with a sense of humor wrote:
“How quickly these 10 glorious days have passed. We are renewed in our passion and have forgiven each other for the previous little murders of the heart. Warren, I forgive you for your past transgressions. Every single one, darling. Should I be worried that you shouted her name instead of mine last night? I’m not. It renews the soul to escape the struggles of Malibu and acknowledge the falseness of Tinseltown. I now realize that you don’t need a hundred thousand a week to be happy . . . Annette B.” (The management assures me the Beattys have never checked in to the Heritage House, though Sharon Stone, Robert Redford, and Sean Penn have. Separately.)
Before leaving, stop at the tiny gift shop for the perfect souvenir — a DVD of Same Time, Next Year.
As it turns out, my solo escape was good for my marriage. My husband is pleased I didn’t meet anyone who swept me off my feet, and I managed to have a restful, rejuvenating, really quiet escape. And though I wouldn’t hesitate to visit alone again, I’d really love to have my hunny with me next time. Perhaps we’ll return as a couple at the same time next year.
Carole Terwilliger Meyers writes and publishes the website Berkeley and Beyond, blogs at Travels With Carole and at Weekend Adventures Update, and is also the author of Miles of Smiles: 101 Great Car Games & Activities. Her YouTube channel has more that 3 million views.
copyright 2023 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
