Hwy 1 Bodega Bay to GGNRA
 

Rethinking my Jul 14 morning to afternoon drive from Santa Rosa to Bodega Bay and along hwy 1 to the GGNRA. I just completed a fairly long look at the Google street view of hwy 1 from south of Bodega Bay along the coast and over to Hwy 101. While it was drivable, the "consistant" fog obscured the possibility of this being a "scenic" drive the entire distance. Scenic views along the coast would be the primary reason for driving this route. I understand July is a foggy month and fog or not, I will drive hwy 1 north from Bodgea Bay to Eureka on the 15th. Are the views south worth flipping the coin and hoping for a more clear or spottier foggy Jul day and if so, how much time should I allow for a casual drive from Bodega Bay to the GGNRA? If not, then I'll look for somewhere along hwy 101 to spend this time frame. Thanks for any suggestions.

Well, I think it is worth the risk. The drive up 101 to Petaluma or where ever you plan to get back to the 1 isn't anything to write home about (IMO). If you get lucky, Highway 1 will be clear and sunny!

The GGNRA is "everywhere" in the Bay Area. Which specific area are you interested in????

Stu Dudley

Thanks boom_boom, I'll keep this as the plan, but will prepare an alternate just in case. Is there a local weather station I could call from Santa Rosa to check the fog forecast early in the morning? Or is this something that would be covered by early morning (6-7am) local news. Stududley, thanks to your and other poster recommendations we will be spending most of the time in the GGNRA area along the Conzelman road for shots of the Bridge and coastline (fog permitting). Time permitting we'll cross the Bridge to the S.F park on the other side. Any idea of the normal drive time in the morning from Bodgea Bay south would be helpful. Looks like 35MPH is the normal speed limit for this stretch. Thanks

The upper part of Conzelman Road will be closed when you are here due to construction. Only the lower viewpoints will be accessible and these are often below the fog layer at that time of year. They will also probably be very crowded. Your chances of having clear weather are less than 50-50. The best newscast for local weather is probably KTVU (Channel 2) in the morning between 5am and 9am. You could also call the visitor center in the Marin Headlands after 9:30am (415-331-1540).

Although the drive from Bodega Bay south on Hwy 1 is very pleasant, it is quite slow and it's not actually on the coast except along Tomales Bay and south of Stinson Beach for a few miles. Since you will be seeing much of the coastline when you drive north to Mendocino, you might consider skipping it and taking the inland route (US 101) instead. Besides, it most likely will be foggy especially in the early morning.

If it is foggy while you are visiting the GGNRA, consider driving up Mt. Tamalpais. There are outstanding views from here even if it's socked in below with fog.

For more information about the Marin Headlands Construction Project, see:

http://www.projectheadlands.gov/clos...elaysroads.htm

>>The upper part of Conzelman Road will be closed when you are here due to construction. Only the lower viewpoints will be accessible <<

I thought that the only part that will be closed is the less-traveled section that becomes a smaller one-way road - which is past the "peak" of the drive.

Stu Dudley

Super is correct - the best part of the drive will be closed

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...MNDI1C63EN.DTL

Stu Dudley

Thanks Super/Stu, this is very welcome news (not good news, but very welcome). While I would love to visit and photograph this area, it's becoming more iffy and complicated than I like. I guess if all else fails, I'll just drive on into town, find a "senior" tour company and leave the driving to them (LOL) Thanks for the info.

Let's just hope that you luck out with the weather while you're here. It "can" happen. However, it happens more in the Spring and Fall and sometimes even in the winter. We've had some really glorious days this month (March) on the coast.

I had forgotten that I had commented before on your other post. I apologize if I repeated myself. At that time, I was not aware of the Conzelman closure. I'm sorry that it will be closed for all summer but it will be better and safer when it reopens. Now, you have to dodge all the bicyclists as you negotiate the twists and turns. The new road will have bicycle lanes. And then next year, they start again with the widening and repaving of the lower section. So that will be closed all of next summer.

There are also some excellent viewpoints in SF around the Presidio, Baker's Beach, and Land's End where you can get some stunning photos if the weather cooperates. If not, you can always find a bar or restaurant that's celebrating Bastille Day.