What would be the best route to get from Calistoga to the coast? How long is the drive time? Thinking of going first thing on a Wednesday morning. Which area in sonoma county is the best for walking along beach. Never been to the ocean, but can't wait to dip a toe in, probably to cold to dip anything else. Thanks for all the help.

Well, this is one of those "you can't get there from here" tales, but here goes: Take the Petrified Forest Road out of Calistoga to Calistoga Rd to Santa Rosa. Take Hwy 12 west to its end to 116 West (Gravenstein Hwy). This will take you to the Sonoma Coast and you can either go north to Jenner or south to Bodega Bay. If you go south, you can return on Hwy 1 to Valley Ford Rd to Bodega Ave back to the other end of 116 to 121/12 to catch back up with 12/29 north back to Calistoga. Very scenic--but will take all day (not a bad thing).

Hi cofarmer!! Me again. I would take a little different route: From Calistoga take the Petrified Forest Rd., but turn off on Mark West Spring Rd. into Santa Rosa. Stay on this and cross US 101. This turns into River Rd. You will pass vineyards etc. and perhaps stop at Korbel. This will meet up at Hwy. 116 right at the Armstrong Redwoods. Check them out!! You will hit the Pacific at Jenner.

You could then head south to Bodega Bay for some clam chowder!!

Please do a trip report when you get back. Are you actually a farmer?? We farm here in Central Cal.

Good luck,

MY

Just use MapQuest or google Calistoga using the mapping option. The latter will ask you if you want directions. Specify the end of the trip and you will get verbal directions and a map.

PS: This could take about 1-2 hours.

Bodega Bay is a gorgeous area of the Sonoma Coast. The Duck Club at the Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa has nice breakfasts and dinners. Enjoy your time on the coast! ***kim***

I would take the River Road route by Armstrong Redwoods. You want to walk on a beach, right? Between where Highway 1 turns south just before Jenner and Bodega Bay there are several State beaches. At Bodega Bay go east to Petaluma, then Sonoma, then Napa to get back to Calistoga.

To answer your question about the best place to stroll~when you get to the intersection of Hwy 116 & Hwy 1, just south of Jenner, turn left. Travel about 10 minutes and look for the pull-out parking (it will be on your right)for Portuguese Beach. This spot is one of the Sonoma Coast/Salmon Creek State beaches.

You can walk for miles if you hang a left once down on the beach from the parking lot.Bring your camera

R5

...and if you go to Bodega Bay, expect it to look familiar. It was called Cabot Cove when "Murder, She Wrote" was filmed.

I always thought Mendocino stood in for "Cabot Cove". Bodega Bay was featured in "The Birds".

Cofarmer: You are so close to SF. Are you going to take a peak at the Golden Gate & the city by the bay???

MY

Thanks for all the help. I guess I should have also told you that we are switching hotels that day and will be spending the night in Windsor. Yes MichelleY, I am a farmer in northeast Colorado. We raise mostly wheat, but also raise a little oats and millet. I don't think we are going to go to San Francisco on this trip. After reading all your suggestions, I think we will take river rd. towards Jenner. Will probably stop by Armstrong forst first and then head to the beach before returning to Windsor. Any good places to pick up picnic stuff on the way to the coast? Thought a picnic lunch at the beach would be nice. Is it legal to drink at the beach? Thanks again for all the help.

In Bodega Bay we stop at the Tides Wharf Fish Market and Wine Shop across the Hwy from Inn at the Tides for picnic supplies. http://www.innatthetides.com/tides_wharf.asp
If the weather isn't nice we'll eat at their restaurant next door.

I don't think it's legal to drink "adult beverages" in State parks, but we've taken the risk... just be careful & have fun!

Check out this site - http://www.californiacoastline.org/?

Dear cofarmer:

I know how the farming thing goes: have to vacation around planting, pruning, spraying for mites/cutworms and harvest. Luckily my DH has a great foreman who has picked up alot of the slack, but harvest time is still off limits!! If you have a chance, stop by the Dry Creek Vineyard. All their Chenin Blanc is from out grapes. They also buy other grapes from us.

You can stop by any super market: Safeway etc. to pick up picnic supplies. What ever you see on your way. Probably when you either leave Calistoga or get into Santa Rosa/Windsor area.

I am not sure about drinking on the beach, but I would do it. Be on the look out for rangers or sheriffs. Be sneeky.

I checked out your other post. We also love Bistro Don Giovanni. Their pizza is great. They are located just outside of Napa going towards St. Helena. Remember, there is not wrong choice. Lots of good places.

Don't worry too much about Sacto traffic. The time of day you will be thru is nothing. The biggest bottle neck is in Santa Rosa & then again around Fairfield.

Have fun and please report back.

MY

Thanks for the heads up on not(wink,wink) drinking at the beach. We'll absolutely try to stop by the Dry Creek Vineyard to try their/your Chenin Blanc. It is just north of downtown Healdsburg, correct? I hope you are right about Sac. traffic. The town we live in doesn't have a stop light. In a given day, I'll pass more tractors than cars on the way to work. Have mapquest directions to most of the sights and restaurants we want to visit, so I hopefully won't get too lost. Thanks again.

If you are spendint the night in Windsor, go to the "new" downtown and eat at Langley's on the Green. You usually need reservations if you want a white-clothed table but we have a ball sitting at the "bar" facing the open kitchen, watching all of the goodies being "plated". Don't miss it. Great food...$$$$...but worth it.