SanFran to Mendocino to Napa...
Mar 23rd, 2004, 08:31 AM
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SanFran to Mendocino to Napa...
Message: I have booked a very ambitious week in California...Flying into SF for one nite (no hotel or restaurant plans yet)and then driving 3 hours to mendocino (Brewery Gulch) for 2 nites...2 nites in Napa at Miliken Creek inn, then down to Big Sur at Ventanna...any super recommendations for Sanfransisco Hotel and Restaurant? Any ideas on stops from SF to Mendocino and then back down to Big Sur from Napa?
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Mar 23rd, 2004, 09:40 AM
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Stop off at St. Orres on your way to Mendocino, it's an all wood building shaped like a russian orthodox church, complete with onion dome. They hae a restaurant there, you might be able to get lunch there, I've heard dinner is pretty great. On the way to Napa, take highway 128 to go through Anderson valley, and make sure you visit both the town of Boonville and the Navarro winery.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 10:08 AM
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St.Orres, unfortunately, is not open for lunch.
If you do stop in Sea Ranch/Gualala on your way to Mendocino try The Sea Ranch Lodge or Oceansong (Gualala) for lunch. Both have good food and gorgeous views.
Also, it takes me almost three hours to get to S.F. from Gualala, taking Highway 1 through Bodega Bay. From Gualala, it is another hour and 15 minutes to Mendocino. The drive is much slower in the summer because many tourists are unsure on the road and tend to drive very slowly (posted speed limit is usually 55) much to the chagrin of the locals!
If you do stop in Sea Ranch/Gualala on your way to Mendocino try The Sea Ranch Lodge or Oceansong (Gualala) for lunch. Both have good food and gorgeous views.
Also, it takes me almost three hours to get to S.F. from Gualala, taking Highway 1 through Bodega Bay. From Gualala, it is another hour and 15 minutes to Mendocino. The drive is much slower in the summer because many tourists are unsure on the road and tend to drive very slowly (posted speed limit is usually 55) much to the chagrin of the locals!
Mar 23rd, 2004, 12:06 PM
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SF restaurant - Faralon, at Post off Union Square. Hotel - try the Argonaut at Jefferson and Hyde, near Ghirardelli Square.
Mendocino to Napa - take STH 128 out of Geyersville to Calistoga. It'll drop you into the north closure of the Napa valley. (don't miss the Copola winery near Rutherford - a left turn off 128)and a visit to Yountville.
Mendocino to Napa - take STH 128 out of Geyersville to Calistoga. It'll drop you into the north closure of the Napa valley. (don't miss the Copola winery near Rutherford - a left turn off 128)and a visit to Yountville.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 02:04 PM
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Was just up in the Mendocino area last week.
Highlights were:
Driving along the coast. Gorgeous, gorgeous scenery!
Stopping off in Mendocino itself and getting some baked goodies at a coffee shop, then went to Crown Hall where some ladies were selling home made pies. Got three pies!
Gualala (WA-la-la), where the local supermarket, instead of telling us where to get some crab for lunch, sold us a couple of crabs of their own! Cleaned it out for us and offered suggestions for other picnic goodies!
Salt Point State Park - recommended by the lady at the Gualala Supermarket. We drove all the way down to the fish cleaning station and found a huge bench below it. Stopped in this spectacular site and had a wonderful picnic. Watched the petrals, ducks, seals, and seagulls. Waves crashing against the jagged coastline. Didn't want to leave.
Fort Ross - fascinating chapter in California history. Built by the Russians. The Ranger was very knowledgeable: showed us where a ship had been wrecked just off the coast, where the San Andreas Fault line was, and shot off one of the cannons with a blank shot (there was a large tour group there). Extremely well-built fort with mortise-and-tendon joints.
Wonderful and Awesome coast!
There's been a lot written here on Fodors on Sonoma and Napa wineries. Just do a search in the box above.
Enjoy your trip!
Highlights were:
Driving along the coast. Gorgeous, gorgeous scenery!
Stopping off in Mendocino itself and getting some baked goodies at a coffee shop, then went to Crown Hall where some ladies were selling home made pies. Got three pies!
Gualala (WA-la-la), where the local supermarket, instead of telling us where to get some crab for lunch, sold us a couple of crabs of their own! Cleaned it out for us and offered suggestions for other picnic goodies!
Salt Point State Park - recommended by the lady at the Gualala Supermarket. We drove all the way down to the fish cleaning station and found a huge bench below it. Stopped in this spectacular site and had a wonderful picnic. Watched the petrals, ducks, seals, and seagulls. Waves crashing against the jagged coastline. Didn't want to leave.
Fort Ross - fascinating chapter in California history. Built by the Russians. The Ranger was very knowledgeable: showed us where a ship had been wrecked just off the coast, where the San Andreas Fault line was, and shot off one of the cannons with a blank shot (there was a large tour group there). Extremely well-built fort with mortise-and-tendon joints.
Wonderful and Awesome coast!
There's been a lot written here on Fodors on Sonoma and Napa wineries. Just do a search in the box above.
Enjoy your trip!
Mar 24th, 2004, 09:44 AM
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Easytraveler: I'm so glad you enjoyed your time here in Gualala and along the coast.
However, now that you correctly know how to pronounce the name, we can no longer consider you a tourist - it means you're one of us!
We actually had a town meeting about 15 years ago and the first topic discussed was the proper pronunciation which you got right!
However, now that you correctly know how to pronounce the name, we can no longer consider you a tourist - it means you're one of us!
We actually had a town meeting about 15 years ago and the first topic discussed was the proper pronunciation which you got right!
#39;(
Mar 25th, 2004, 06:20 AM
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WA-lalalisa: I am SOOO honored! It's wonderful being one of "you" - or rather "us"!
It's beautiful country your way! God's country.
When I asked the lady in the coffee shop in Mendocino, since they live in Heaven, did they get to talk to God every day? Her reply was: Every day, and several times each day!
On another post, you mentioned dropping in to see you somewhere in Gualala and to say hi, but I forgot to write down the location. Maybe you could tell me again and next time - because there definitely WILL be a NEXT time - I'll definitely drop by and say hi!
BTW, when you see God this morning, be sure to thank Him for me for creating such a wonderful place on earth for all of us to enjoy!
It's beautiful country your way! God's country.
When I asked the lady in the coffee shop in Mendocino, since they live in Heaven, did they get to talk to God every day? Her reply was: Every day, and several times each day!
On another post, you mentioned dropping in to see you somewhere in Gualala and to say hi, but I forgot to write down the location. Maybe you could tell me again and next time - because there definitely WILL be a NEXT time - I'll definitely drop by and say hi!
BTW, when you see God this morning, be sure to thank Him for me for creating such a wonderful place on earth for all of us to enjoy!
Mar 25th, 2004, 10:02 AM
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Razz: Yes, Pangaea is still good but has moved from its original location in Point Arena to "downtown" Gualala where the Alinder Art Gallery used to be.
Easy: You are so nice - it really is God's country here and I appreciate it all the more when I read the comments on this board. When I have to "commute" from Gualala to Point Arena or Mendocino/Fort Bragg I am still awed by the scenery even though I've lived here 23 years. The ride is just as beautiful to the south, either all the way on Highway 1 through Bodega Bay or through Guerneville and the Russian River.
A funny thing happened just today that illustrates what a small town Gualala is: Hubby calls the gas staion to get a quote on a price for tires on a used truck he bought several years ago. Clerk asks: "Which truck?" Hubby: "Amy's old truck." Clerk: "Oh, the one that's been parked in your driveway for over two years?" No last names, no addresses, everyone knows everyone. If you dial a wrong number, you always know the person who answers anyway - it's a kick.
Anyway, you can e-mail me if you're coming this way. If you're here on a Wednesday-Saturday, just stop by the Gualala Hotel bar and ask Debbie, the bartender there for 33 years, where to find me - she of course will know!
Best regards,
Gualalalisa
Easy: You are so nice - it really is God's country here and I appreciate it all the more when I read the comments on this board. When I have to "commute" from Gualala to Point Arena or Mendocino/Fort Bragg I am still awed by the scenery even though I've lived here 23 years. The ride is just as beautiful to the south, either all the way on Highway 1 through Bodega Bay or through Guerneville and the Russian River.
A funny thing happened just today that illustrates what a small town Gualala is: Hubby calls the gas staion to get a quote on a price for tires on a used truck he bought several years ago. Clerk asks: "Which truck?" Hubby: "Amy's old truck." Clerk: "Oh, the one that's been parked in your driveway for over two years?" No last names, no addresses, everyone knows everyone. If you dial a wrong number, you always know the person who answers anyway - it's a kick.
Anyway, you can e-mail me if you're coming this way. If you're here on a Wednesday-Saturday, just stop by the Gualala Hotel bar and ask Debbie, the bartender there for 33 years, where to find me - she of course will know!
Best regards,
Gualalalisa
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