Can someone recommend whether we should drive to Mendicino from Napa on Route 1. No one really describes whether its a scenic drive or not. I know it will take a while, but driving part of Route 1 was one of the highlights of our trip.

Route 1 from Jenner to Mendocino is lovely and the stretch just north of Jenner is particularly dramatic. More beautiful for me, even, than the Central Coast around Big Sur.

Ditto bon_voyage

Stu Dudley

Yes, it's spectacular. Make your way over to Hwy 116 West and follow it to Jenner where it ends at Hwy 1 and the ocean.

During the winter especially, always call 511 (or go to 511.org) before you set out to check highway conditions. If a big Pacific storm is rolling in (or has recently passed), it good be dicey -- slides, wash-outs, flooding, high winds, accidents, trees down, etc. -- and the route should best be avoided.

This is an extremely scenic drive. It is dotted with more farms, towns, and hamlets than is Highway 1 south of Monterey.

It is also a more strenuous drive because there are many inlets (or coves) which the highway skirts in downhill and uphill diversions away from the more direct path of the roadway. I like the drive, but I have friends who find it too tiring.

HTTY

It's a great drive for me. Absolutely gorgeous. I'll drive it whenever I have the opportunity.

However, it's not for everyone My daughter can't do it because she gets car sick. And I recently had a Midwestern friend come out to California for the first time. She has a fear of heights and had me turn back before we made it as far as somewhere around Jenner and she insisted that we turn back.

"No one really describes whether its a scenic drive or not. "

That seems sort of weird to me.

Not to worry, as the others say -- it is uber scenic . . . .

I think that because this drive is more "off the beaten track" it just isn't talked about much compared with Big Sur. That's probably why the OP hadn't really heard much about it one way or the other.

(I agree. The OP's question doesn't seem odd to me.)

If you continue driving north, the stretch of Highway 1 between Hardy and Leggett is as serpentine as any road I've driven on the the US.

HTTY

htty: "(I agree. The OP's question doesn't seem odd to me.)"

Who the heck said the question was odd?? Of course it isn't.

I said it seemed weird that no one had told bluesman it is scenic.

Thanks a lot for your tips.

Are there any recommended stop offs (cafe's, restauraunts, farmers markets?)

(these are all on the hwy 116 segment btwn hwy 101 and the ocean)

The Applewood Inn in Guerneville is great for dinner (they may serve lunch, not sure) - it has a Michelin star...

River's End in Jenner is good for lunch or dinner and has a great view (it's where the Russian River meets the Pacific) -- a little overpriced...

Cape Fear Cafe in Duncan Mills (a dinky village btwn Guerneville & Jenner, not far from the ocean) serves fierce eggs benedict dishes - if you're passing through around breakfast/brunchtime.

Papas and Pollos is a nice hippie-Mexican restaurant in Sebastopol.

Howard's Cafe has fantastic breakfasts. It's in Occidental so it's a few miles out of the way. They also serve lunch but I've only been there for breakfast.

Also, if you have time, take a little detour and go to Armstrong Woods. It's just north of Guerneville.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

If driving to Hwy 1 from the city of Napa, we would drive over to Petaluma and then out Bodega/Petaluma Valley Road to Bodega Bay. The drive north of Bodega Bay is very beautiful with lots of state beaches to explore. Bodega Bay has a number of places to have lunch.

Coming back from Mendocino, take Hwy 128 through the beautiful Anderson and Alexander Valleys to Healdsburg.

Coming back from Mendocino, take Hwy 128 through the beautiful Anderson and Alexander Valleys to Healdsburg.

This is an excellent suggestion--a beautiful drive.

Also, if you have time, take a little detour and go to Armstrong Woods. It's just north of Guerneville.

Interesting to learn about. I'll check it out the next time I'm in the area.


HTTY

We took Hwy 128 recently and were pleasantly surprised how beautiful it was. We figured it would be scenic, but it was much nicer than we thought it would be. Even in the rain, it was good.