Driving from the North Coast and would like to include a trip to see some wineriesand enjoy a scenic drive thru the vineyards. My free CA map doesn't have enough detail. I would like to leave Jenner, see a winery or 2 and head back to San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge. Is that a doable day trip? Suggested route? How long will it take me to drive from Fort Bragg to Jenner, with a few stops to take in the views?
Thanks

Ft Bragg to Jenner is about 3 hours - a truly spectacular drive. What time of year will you be here ? Are you going to visit Mendocino from Ft. Bragg ? Do plan to have breakfast, brunch or lunch in the tiny town of Elk at Queenies Roadside Cafe. You might also enjoy a stop in
Pt. Arena out at the lighthouse. Might also enjoy a visit to Ft Ross-google it. Do you have reservations in Jenner ?

From Jenner via Hwy 116 you will travel along the Russian River all the way to Guerneville. Once past Guerneville
you can use the variety of maps at wineroad.com that will show you about a zillion wineries in the surrounding areas around the town of Healdsburg, Probably the easiest for your purposes would be to stick with the areas around Westside and Eastside Rd. Take a look at the Russian River Valley & Healdsburg maps. Yes, it's a doable day trip from Jenner,
a few wineries, a meal and into The City.

Check out the maps and come back and we'll narrow down your winery choices. It would help to know what you have in mind.

R5

We will be there in September in the middle of the week. Weather?? Lots of fog??

After reading the reviews I plan on stopping at Queenies for lunch! I don't have reservations yet...I need a room for 3 people.

No set plans but no hiking, just scenic pullouts. OK this might seem like a stupid question...but will we be able to sealions? Any locations or easy viewing place?

I already looked up the Russian River Valley map but it doesn't have a scale so I was sure of distances. I am with my parents and they don't drink wine but do want to go on a tour and really want to see some vineyards. I was considering Korbel. A few wineries, a nice lunch (something simple) and into SF sounds great. We are not shoppers so cute shops don't do much for us...except if they are food related shops and kitchen gadgets!
Thanks

There are a host of nice restaurants in Healdsburg. Zin comes to mind. Most of our favorite wineries are on the Westside road head from Gurneville to Healdsburg and the old Redwood Highway heading southRoad and the include Arits and Hop Kiln on Westside, Rodney Strong and J Vineyards. For a good tour check out the Kendall Jackson Wine Center just off 101 between Windsor and Santa Rosa. Check out http://www.wineroad.com/ for lots more detail.

I believe smom has already been referred to wineroad.com...
September and October are typically the nicest times
of the year here, fog should not be a problem, (fingers crossed)

The only places to stay in Jenner are the Jenner Inn & Cottages jennerinn.com, the cabins at Rivers End ilovesunsets.com which also has a very good restaurant with spectacular views, including sea lions on the beach below, and a litle north of Jenner at Timber Cove
timbercoveinn.com
All of these places will have better rates on weeknights.

Try this link smom
http://sonoma.com/visitorsinfo/mileage.html
Also if you are a AAA member, they have a very good map
of Napa & Sonoma Wineries. Korbel has a decent tour.
As long as your traveling along River Road, you could head off to Westside road and drive back in to Gary Farrell-
beautiful views up there. Then a stop at Hop Kiln
it's quite historic. If you stay on Westside Road it will take you into Healdsburg where you can have lunch.
Park somewhere along the plaza. Now, what constitutes
"simple" for you, smom ?

R5

Well simple for my parents is a sandwich with no exotic or unusual ingredients. But for me I enjoy trying new foods and eating local items. I enjoy good breads and cheeses (so do my parents) and love a quality dessert made with the freshest ingredients.

I am considering Timbercove Inn.

A very unique and one of our favorite lunch spots for
great soups and sandwhiches is the Jimtown store-
http://www.jimtown.com/
It's about 10 minutes from downtown Healdsburg
in the beautiful Alexander Valley.
If this looks good to you-we'll talk directions.

R5

This is what we have planned: stay in Jenner (tuesday night), stop at Korbel, drive into Healdsburg via Westside Rd (stop at a winery??), lunch at Jimtown, head back to SF and Golden Gate bridge. What is the best route from Jimtown to SF. I have read horror stories about the traffic on HWY 101. We will stop at the Golden Gate bridge. Thanks

What is the best route from Jimtown to SF
I would retrace your drive TO Jimtown-
go back to Geyserville and get on 101 south
there.

You will be traveling south to SF in
mid-afternoon-yes ? traffic in this direction
is opposite the commute so you should be OK.
It will be normal busy, but it always is, but
nothing compared to driving north at this hour.

There is construction on 101 south of the junction
with Hwy 12 and continues to just south of Cotati.
Just slow down, obey the posted 55 mph speed and
you'll be fine.

R5