Editing Mendocino, California (section)

==Geography==
[[California State Route 1]] (Shoreline Highway) runs along the eastern edge of the downtown area; it leads north {{convert|10|mi|0}} to [[Fort Bragg, California|Fort Bragg]] and south {{convert|29|mi}} to [[Manchester, California|Manchester]]. Comptche-Ukiah Road departs east from Route 1 just south of the town, leading across the [[California Coast Ranges]] {{convert|14|mi}} to [[Comptche, California|Comptche]], and {{convert|44|mi}} to [[Ukiah, California|Ukiah]], the Mendocino [[county seat]]. The [[Big River (California)|Big River]] forms the southern edge of the community and joins the Pacific Ocean at Big River Beach within [[Mendocino Headlands State Park]], a quarter mile south of the center of town.

The Census Bureau definition of the area may not precisely correspond to the local understanding of the community. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the Mendocino CDP has a total area of {{convert|3.0|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|2.3|sqmi|km2}} are land and {{convert|0.8|sqmi}}, or 25.56%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2021"/>

In 2021, some [[aquifer]]s feeding the settlement's demand for water failed. Wells in the area are typically dug to a depth of {{convert|8|to|30|ft|m}}. One well was dug to a depth of {{convert|165|ft|m}} without successfully tapping into an aquifer. Water is now brought in by tankers, and local businesses have fitted chemical toilets to conserve water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2021 |title=The California tourist town that's running out of water: 'It's a shock' |url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/07/california-drought-water-mendocino-tourism |access-date=August 9, 2021 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

===Climate===
Summers are characterized by frequent fog and highs mostly in the upper sixties and lows in the fifties. Winters rarely, if ever, see frost or snow, due to close [[Coastal California|proximity]] to the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Mendocino averages about {{convert|43|in|mm}} of rain per year, concentrated mainly in fall, winter, spring, and early summer.

This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above {{convert|71.6|F|0}}. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Mendocino has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=89137&cityname=Mendocino%2C+California%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Mendocino, California].</ref>