jrbnrnc

On our our last day in SF we want to rent a car and drive to the Healdsburg area and back. We are staying near Fisherman's Warf. Will list some of our ideas and ask for advice on a schedule.
Rent car from Sheraton near Fisherman's Warf.
Drive to Santa Rosa and take ? hwy over to Hwy 1 for ocean view.
Go to Armstrong Redwoods and a least on winery on the way to Healdsburg.
Visit the Plaza in Healdsburg.
On the way back to SF stop at the viewpoint that overlooks the GG Bridge and city from atop the mountain west of the bridge. (Please give us directions including exit to take to get to the viewpoint when coming from the north)
Return either to Fisherman's Warf or return car to SF International for 10:30 flight to NC.
Please suggest roads to take and sites to see as well as timing.

Otis_B_Driftwood

There are several routes you can take. Here's just one idea:

Take 101 north to Petaluma (about 40 minutes from SF). Take the E Washington St exit and turn left (West). After a few blocks, this will become Bodega Avenue. Follow this out of town and then follow the signs to Bodega and you will eventually find yourselves on Hwy 1.

Spend some time in Bodega Bay and then head north for Jenner. This is a very scenic stretch and you can spend all day here if you are so inclined. At least visit Goat Rock Beach which is just before you get to Hwy 116.

Take Hwy 116 along the Russian River to Guerneville. Here, you will find the road to Armstrong Redwoods. Later, stay on the north side of the river instead of following 116 to the south. This is Westside Road and it will take you to Healdsburg.

In Healdsburg, you can visit the plaza and take a winery tour at Simi. Or, you can drive a little out of town and visit Jordan Winery which is one of the most beautiful in California. You need to make a reservation to visit here. Another favorite is Ridge Lytton Springs which is also just a few miles north of town. There are many other wineries and you should visit your favorites.

Then simply take 101 back to the Golden Gate Bridge. Just before getting on the bridge at the last exit is the road up to the viewpoints you want to visit. There are a number of places you can pull over but make sure you go all the way to the top, to where the one way road keeps going west down towards Rodeo Lagoon and Fort Cronkite. The views from here are especially breathtaking.

A

JayZee

Nice job Otis! OP go with this, I've toured this area many times and agree with his suggestion. Get an early start and have a nice lunch in Healdsburg - such as Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar.

http://www.healdsburg.com/index.asp

jtrandolph

Yes, Otis has it. Follow his advice. Just a little embellishment. The drive from Petaluma to Bodega Bay is rural, with rolling hills and farms/dairies.

Stop at Lucas Wharf in Bodega Bay to rest a little and gaze at the fresh fish in the fish market.

On the way to Jenner are several state beaches, but Goat Rock, mentioned by Otis, is where the Russian River enters the Pacific Ocean at Jenneer, and I would definitely drive out to it....(just a short ways).

This is one of my favorite trips....enjoy.

jrbnrnc

thanks for the "drift" of your good help. It sounds like an exciting day. We will follow it. Do you know the exit number or name of the exit before the bridge. do not want to get to toll booth and realize I missed it. Would it perhaps say Alexander Drive Sausalito?

Otis_B_Driftwood

You can't miss the exit. As you come through the tunnel get in the right lane and make the next exit. As you exit make a left and go up the hill. A right turn will take you to Sausalito.