A Kelley House Museum Fundraiser

MURDER, SHE WROTE FESTIVAL FAQ
Friday, May 21st – Sunday, May 23rd, 2027

Here is a short FAQ to help plan your trip.

When should I arrive? When should I leave?
Ideally you would arrive on Thursday, as we have a full day of events on Friday and Saturday. Sunday event programming is lighter since we realize many of you will travel home that day.

Where should I stay? Check out our guide to local lodging. All of these inns have helped make this festival possible, so patronize them and help Mendocino thrive. If you don’t want to drive much, make sure to book lodging within the town of Mendocino.

Where should I eat? Mendocino only has a handful of restaurants in town so it is a good idea to call ahead and make reservations. Please book your reservation early enough to allow yourself enough time to get to the next event. If you get stuck, our local market, Harvest at Mendosa’s, always has some prepared food for takeout. Here’s a fairly comprehensive guide to Mendocino restaurants, just doublecheck the location if you are trying to dine in the town itself, since some of these require driving in a car to get to them.

How long will it take to get to Mendocino?
If there’s one thing all first-time visitors learn, it’s that it takes longer to get here than your Google Maps tells you. The roads are windy, and you’ll want to stop for a stretch, a bite, and to admire the view. Bring carbonated beverages or Dramamine if you are prone to car sickness. These are the general driving times and do not account for traffic:

  • 4 hours from Sacramento Airport
  • 4 hours from San Francisco and Oakland Airports
  • 5 hours from San Jose Airport
  • 2.5 hours from Santa Rosa Airport

Can I get to Mendocino on public transit?
Getting to Mendocino on public transit is possible but not easy. It requires bus transfers in Santa Rosa and Fort Bragg and involves a long travel day. From the San Francisco (SFO) or Oakland (OAK) airports, take Groome Transportation (a private bus company) to the Sonoma County airport in Santa Rosa, and then transfer to the Mendocino Transit Authority’s Route 65 from Santa Rosa to Fort Bragg. In Fort Bragg, transfer to Route 60 Southbound to Mendocino. Give yourself plenty of time to make connections. If your lodging is in Mendocino, you can walk to all the venues once here.

Is there an airport shuttle?
Tour Mendocino, a private company, has set up a shared shuttle for festival goers traveling from San Francisco and Santa Rosa! Professional drivers will get you to Mendocino safely with a Thursday pickup and a Sunday return. You can also book them for a private trip. Airport Shuttles | Book Your Ride Today — Tour Mendocino.

Can I catch a ride with someone?
We hope to start a private Facebook group for folks who want to rideshare, but you’ll have to coordinate those logistics on your own. Keep an eye on your email because the group will be for ticket holders only.

Where and when do I check in?
We will communicate this information by email a few weeks before the festival.

What do I need to check in?
Please bring the receipt from your pass purchase to expedite check in (we also have all ticket holder names so can check if you forget). 

Will there be Festival merchandise?
Yes! We will have Festival merchandise for sale at check in and the Kelley House Museum. 

How accessible is the Festival and the town of Mendocino?
General Accessibility

  • While Murder, She Wrote Festival locations have accessible entrances to accommodate various mobility needs these accommodations may vary by site. Please contact the organizers for information on specific event locations and needs.
  • ADA bathrooms are available at all festival locations.
  • Reserved designated ADA seating is available at most locations. Please contact the organizers to secure a spot.
  • Self-guided walking tours are included in your festival pass. The tour can be downloaded from the Kelley House Museum website (you will be given an access code in your festival packet). The tour may be done by car for those with mobility limitations. All self-guided, app-based tours include text and audio options.
  • Service animals are welcome at all locations. 
  • Disabled parking spots can be arranged at most locations but must be requested in advance for Kelley House Museum, Crown Hall, and Blair House.
  • Additional ADA bathrooms available to the public located on Main Street in Mendocino. 

Local Limitations
As a historic village many of Mendocino’s “vintage” buildings lack elevator access. Additionally, several parts of town lack formal sidewalks or may have walking paths that are uneven or non-paved. If you have questions regarding general accessibility or require additional accommodations, please contact us as soon as possible so we may do our best to support your needs.

Venue addresses:

We are finalizing the venues for 2027, stay tuned. 

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This event is an Unofficial event and is not associated with NBCUniversal.
Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote holding magnifying glass