Hi. I got some good ideas from folks who've posted msgs. on this site. I've created my own personal confusion and would like advice. I will be in Calistoga for 1 nite (a Weds.) then have an entire day (Thurs.) to play before I return to SFO at 1:30 Friday afternoon. Armstrong SP sounds cool. Looking for the best route to get to there from Calistoga and what time would be best to start off. At first I wasn't planning on seeing the ocean also, but I saw someone suggest driving to Jenner after Armstrong, then Bodega, and then back towards 101. I'd really like to do this if I could. I know it will take time,but is it doable? All I care about would lodging at destination near 101 before dark. Sebastapol? Santa Rosa? Rohnert Park? I made tentative reservations already at a hotel in Santa Rosa & Rohnert.

Hi Jayne-Calistoga to Guerneville (where Armstrong Woods is) takes about an hour to drive. Guerneville to Jenner is about 30 mins. Jenner to Bodega Bay is about 15 mins.

So, very doable, just depends on the stops you want to make other than
Armstrong Woods. For lodging that eve you might consider Occidental (25 mins from Bodega Bay), Sebastopol,(30 mins.
from Bodega Bay). A 10 minute drive east on Hwy 12 will get you to Hwy 101 from either othese 2 towns.

Also consider Petaluma (45 mins from Bodega Bay)-the Sheraton is right on the Petaluma River marina which is adjacent to Hwy 101.

R5

razzledazzle gives you good advice.

Armstrong Grove Redwoods State Park in Guerneville is well worth a visit. Get yourself from Calistoga to Hwy 101..there are a couple of ways, ask locally, and then on to Guerneville. Hwy 116 will get you there. I like River Road, which follows the Russian River.

After Guerneville and your visit to Armstrong..head to the coast. Now, Hwy 1 doesn't actually go as far as Jenner, it cuts down about a mile inland, but you can do the detour and watch the river come into the sea at Jenner and then come back and continue on down Hwy 1.

Actually, what I like to do is take the Hwy 1 turnoff and then, very soon, the turnoff to Goat Rock Beach. There you see it all.

Go through Bodega Bay, stopping to have a snack or whatever at Lucas Wharf, or driving out to Bodega Head, not very far, and thanking our lucky stars that they did not put a nuclear power plant on the earthquake fault here. (Enjoy the views).

Then take the pretty drive to Petaluma. Staying there the night will allow you time to get to the airport in the next day, but don't tarry, commute traffic can slow you down.

Begfore you check into your hotel, do take time to get off the freeway and explore downtown Petaluma. The Society for Historic Preservation kind of likes what they have done.

About getting to the airport. Just after you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, stay in the right lane and take the first exit. This is Park Presidio, soon to become 19th Avenue. Just follow it through the city until it becomes Hwy 280 and then take the Highway 380 exit to the airport.

Have a great trip.

Thanks for the tips folks. I like the Petaluma idea, but the price for lodging is a bit higher. I found reasonable lodging in Occidental at the Occidental Hotel, and also lodging at the Bodega Bay Harbor Inn. I'm wondering if the Harbor Inn would be a cool place to stay. Hang out by the beach,watch a sunset, etc. Or...will I be pushing it for the drive to SFO the next day?

I think staying out at Bodega Bay is a great idea! If you find yourself there for dinner, the Seaweed Cafe is the best if you have already dined at Lucas.

Just be sure you leave yourself ample time to get to SFO-
let's see you fly out at 1:30, so you want to check in by 11:30 or so-drop rental car by at least 10:45...give yourself at least 2 hrs to drive from Bodega Bay and I'll add in time for
leftover commute traffic...I'd be out
of Bodega Bay by 8 AM.

jt gives good advice and her directions to the airport are right on-if you need a map the mapquest directions (from Bodega Bay, CA to SFO, San Francisco, CA are the same as hers with all the details.

Have a great adventure !
R5

Yes, it would be nice to stay in Bodega Bay. But I am a little nervous about getting to the airport from there by 11:30 the next day.

But, the trip from Bodega Bay to Hwy 101 near Petaluma is about 40 minutes, two lane country. They have re-routed it so that you don't have to go through the city but pick up the freeway north of it. Watch for a sign to Hwy 101 (out in the middle of nowhere) and turn left there. Watch the signs, there are a few weird turns before the freeway, after a very nice bucolic ride through the farmland.

Then it is less than an hour to the Golden Gate Bridge, and if you follow my airport directions it is a pretty easy ride in, except for the traffic lights on Park Presidio and 19th Avenue, which are timed.

Leaving early as razzledazzle suggested should get you there, barring traffic getting into San Francisco. I have no experience on that in the morning commute time.

I do not know the Bodega Bay Harbor Inn and I cannot remember the name of my favorite reasonable place with views there...AAA doesn't list it anymore. Don't count on a "beach". This is a fishing village on a bay. (See my beaches comment later.) But it is "atmospheric", and in case I haven't mentioned it before, Alfred Hitchcok's "The Birds" was partially filmed here.

I suggest you forget about Occidental. It is a wonderful place and I am sure the Occidental Hotel would charm you. They serve, or at least used to serve, humongous multi-course family-style Italian meals. But it is a detour to your path, by a couple of country roads. Come back for that.

If you should decide to stay in Petaluma after all, ignore the Hwy 101 sign and drive into town. You will be on Washington Street. Stay on it to Hwy 101 and look for the Best Western Petaluma Inn. Not too pricey. $89 up, and just fine.

OH, I forgot. On your way down Hwy 1 from the Jenner area to Bodega Bay are several easily accessible state beaches. Allow some time to walk one or two of them. I spent one wonderful afternoon in November with a picnic lunch (sharing it with the seagulls) when I had to make a trip up north on property business.

Have a wonderful trip.

Oops, we have not dealt with the question of getting from Calistoga to the Russian River. razzledazzle...it's been a long time since I made that trek over the hill. Can you fill it in, in cas Jayne doesn't know?

Thanks again. It's all sinking in better and I've gotten a pretty good idea. I have to mention, I need to be at SFO by 1:30, not to catch a flight,but to drop the rental there. Family will be waiting. So...that leaves me a bit more time...and less pressure. What is the name of the pretty road to Petaluma?

From Bodega Bay follow Hwy 1 to Valley Ford where the road turns into Valley Ford Rd. then same road takes you through the Two Rock area and then same Road becomes Bodega Ave and the same road becomes Washington Street as you begin to enter west Petaluma. It's very easy to see on a map or mapquest.

Here I disagree with jt-just stay on the same road as you come into Petaluma
it will take you effortlessly to Hwy 101.

The largest intersection you will arrive at is Washington & Petaluma Blvd.
(if you turn right you would enter our quaint & marvelous downtown).
After crossing this intersection your next light will be Lakeville St., the next Payran St., the next Ellis (the fairgrounds are on your right) and next light will be the on ramp to Hwy 101.
it will be on your right-no over the bridge or cloverleaf to deal with.

Do you still need directions from Calistoga to Guerneville ?
Honestly, if you plug those into mapquest-they are spot on-which is definetly NOT
always true on that site, lol!

R5

Yes, you can just stay on the road to Petaluma and go through town. The route I mentioned is a new one, which is strange and takes you through the country to put you out on Hwy 101 just north of Petaluma. Obviously to speed people along and miss the town traffic (actually, I have never encountered "traffic" in Petaluma.)

If you go straight through town you will automatically come into the Washington Street exit to the freeway. Just follow the signs.

However, it is nice to know that you don't have a 1:30 plane to catch. razzledazzle is right, if you have a spare half hour or so, do explore downtown Petaluma. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has given Petaluma kudos for what they have done downtown.

I am very fond of the town. When I was a child, living in Sonoma, my mother drove me to Petaluma every Saturday for piano lessons.

Thanks for your time Raz, JT! I'm getting excited about coming out there next week. Can just picture it all in my mind. I haven't done a map quest yet for the best route from Calistoga,any suggestions you have are appreciated.

Hi jayne-
The weather is beautiful here in Sonoma County right now-
83 & lots of sunshine !
Here's a link to the mapquest map to get you over to Guerneville-where Armstrong woods is-and on over to the coast.
http://tinyurl.com/33ebr8

Essentially 116 ends and intersects with Hwy 1. If you want to go up to Jenner, turn right and proceed 2 miles-
the view from the deck at River's End
restaurant is worth the trip-
www.ilovesunsets.com

Then you could back track down Hwy 1
to Goat Rock, Portuguese Beach
and then into Bodega Bay.

Have a wonderful time !

R5