The beauty and laid-back attitude of Mendocino coax bohemian impulses out of even the most BlackBerry-obsessed urbanites. Forget your PDA and get your hands dirty with a weekend ceramics class at the Mendocino Art Center. Offered for the first time this year for beginning and intermediate potters, the class will focus on sculptural vessels like teapots and cups—expect to go home with a few pieces to put on display. After seven hours in the studio, head just a mile up the road to Auberge Mendocino. These quiet seaside cottages, with fireplaces and oceanview porches (not to mention fully stocked wet bars), help ease the burden of artistic angst.

Having a great time! “You get a whole lot of value for your money,” says Sandy Kinzie of Santa Cruz. “In fact, I’m selling a number of pieces I made, so I might make my investment back! They do a great job of securing enthusiastic teachers.”

-Matt Bloom

THE CLASS RUNS DEC. 1–2 AT THE MENDOCINO ART CENTER AND COSTS $175, WHICH INCLUDES 50 POUNDS OF CLAY, STUDIO USE, AND PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION. MENDOCINO ART CENTER: 707-937-5818, MENDOCINOARTCENTER.ORG. RATES AT AUBERGE MENDOCINO RANGE $179–355. 800-347-9252, AUBERGEMENDOCINO.COM.