2023 Annual Conference: Ukiah, The Heart of Mendocino County

The Redwood Valley on a misty morning. Image created by Emma-Quin Smith.

CGLHS will gather in Ukiah for our 2023 annual conference. Save the date (October 13-15), reserve your room, and watch this space as we develop our program. Registration will open early this summer. 

Join us to explore the sweet and little-known heart of Mendocino County. Nestled in between forested hills that are covered in a mix of oak woodlands and redwood forests, the rich valley floor is called Redwood Valley. Some of the largest redwood trees in the world are just west of town.

Ukiah's bustling downtown is adjacent to historic neighborhoods. The town is home to the Sun House, built in 1911 by painter Grace Carpenter Hudson (1865-1937) and her husband John. We'll meet at the property in the adjacent Grace Hudson Museum to hear from landscape architects who were involved in the concept for the museum gardens, tour the gardens and the Sun House, and learn about the the life and legacy of renowned local horticulturalist Carl Purdy (1861-1945). The following day we'll visit the nearby Montgomery Woods with California State Parks.  

Ukiah is located about two hours north of San Francisco and one hour north of the Santa Rosa airport. Agricultural businesses flourish in the valley, with wine grapes taking over from pears and hops in recent years. Reaching the town is a pleasant drive along Highway 101; CGLHS will help organize carpools from the Bay Area as needed. 

A note on accommodations: Click here to see our list of recommended hotels and camp sites in Ukiah. 

Rather than provide one hotel location, CGLHS is suggesting preferred hotels, thereby providing a range of options. Please feel free to stay any place you like. The Holiday Inn Express is offering our members a discount; instructions for booking can be found in in the link above. Some room options are expected to sell out as the summer advances.

A former service station along the Redwood Highway in Ukiah. Eleanor Cox.