Sea Gull Restaurant Stories
© 2026 David Herstle Jones
The Sea Gull Restaurant was a popular hangout in Mendocino during the 1970s and 80s. Lots of things happened there, good and bad. Think in the Morning has posted memories of several of these happenings in our blogs over the years. A list of all the Sea Gull Blogs with links posted below makes these stories easy to find and read. Click on the blog name (blue link) to access any story you want. Maybe start with The Sea Gull Saga Parts I and II for an overview. Most of us who remember those times are now in the autumn of our lives. I’m working on a fictional novel of the Sea Gull Restaurant and Cellar Bar. I’d love to hear from you with any stories you have or comments on stories I’ve posted. Happy Reading!
3. Clifford
7. 86’d
8. B-Not
9. Henry
12. Lella
14. Coffee
22. Home Cooking
23. Booze
29. Oyster Stuffing
30. Water
31. Smoking
32. Fire !
36. After The Fire
41. The Coffee Shop
53. Chicken Kiev
54. Sweetbreads
57. The Bartender
58. Sticky Buns
59. The Phoenix Myth
Thank you David
What a blast to find this website. I lived in Mendocino on and off from the early to mid seventies, starting in a teepee on Middle ridge Road in Albion, then down to a lean-to on the Navarro River by that strip of land owned by Boise Cascade, then up to Little River in a plastic and redwood shack with cold running water and a wood burning stove, then up to Noyo Harbor in a dingy motel room, then a summer in the Caspar Garage. I had many breakfasts at the Seagull and muffins at the Pyewacket. I have only just begun to read your stories, can’t wait to dive in
You are the kind of reader I love! Thank you so much for responding.
I hitch-hiked from MN and landed in Mendocino for a few nights back in September of 1975. I planned on staying in a campground nearby, a KOA I think. I got my camp set up and decided to go into town, look around, and find a place to eat at. I found the Seagull Inn. Outside had a cold dampness from the ocean but the Seagull was nice and toasty. As I was eating my meal I met some friendly people around my age. They invited me to stay with them. I agreed because there was someone at the campground that made me very uncomfortable. After I got my stuff and went back to the Seagull Inn and ordered an Irish coffee. We sat and had great conversation going on and then they asked how old I was. I was 18! We didn’t stay much longer because, unknown to me at the time, drinking age in CA was 21. I always thought that CA was much more liberal than MN so they would have the drinking age of 18 at that time too. I did go back to the Seagull Inn after that night but only drank plain Ole coffee.
After 50 years I still think back to those few days I spent in Mendocina and tge Seagull Inn. Someday, maybe I’ll be back.
Thanks for that. Alas, the Sea Gull is gone but the spirit still survives. Sad news out of MN today. It pains me greatly to hear it. Here’s to sharing an Irish coffee together vicariously.https://thinkinthemorning.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Lindstrom-Hand-Drink.jpg
David, you accomplished more than you know. Sometimes the art is the painting, sometimes it’s the frame. Or the wall where it hangs, or the nail that holds everything up. You and the Gull were more than a few of the above.
Aw shoot! You make me blush.