Hello all! My husband and I are planning a trip to San Francisco and Wine Country in late February. Right now the plan is to spend 4 nights/5 days in San Francisco, and 5 nights in Wine Country (split between Yountville and Healdsburg, most likely).

However, I'm wondering if it might be worth it to take a "side trip" to the coast for 1 or 2 nights. This is our first trip, so we'd like to see a lot, but I don't want to pack too much in. Also, I don't know if the weather in February will be nice enough to enjoy the coastal towns?

Any suggestions/experiences would be excellent! Thank you.

You should definitely do the side trip to the coast providing the weather cooperates. If it isn't raining, it should be sunny and mild along the coast.

You could even do it as a day trip, if you don't go all the way up to Mendocino. Take the Russian River route (116) to Jenner, from there south to Bodega Bay the immediate coast is state park land. Take a picnic lunch to eat by the ocean. See Goat Rock, Arch Rock. Maybe head down towards Point Reyes and get some oysters in Point Reyes Station.

If you do spend a night, you can easily get to Mendocino. Again, this all depends on the weather, but between storms it is generally sunny, unlike the foggy summer.

Oooh, that sounds like a good plan! I hadn't thought about Jenner. I believe we can do that easily from our stay in Healdsburg.

Thank you for the suggestion!

You could easily do a loop driving River Road to Jenner then head south to Bodega Bay on Hwy 1 and back in to Hwy 101 on Hwy 12, Bodega Road through the town of Bodega Bay. The drive will take about 2 to 3 hours depending on the traffic on 101.

Your post says "Mendocino in February"

Well, you are not in Mendocino if you go to Yountville and Healdsburg. You are in Sonoma County.

I know the country well, and agree with the former posts.

Have a great trip.

Thanks for the suggestions! I just read that Bodega has some good spots for whale-watching, and that end of February is when they begin to migrate back home. That sounds interesting!

jtrandolph, you're right- my travel plans currently include San Francisco, Napa and Sonoma counties. I was just curious if it was worth taking a day or two away from one of the above places to add Mendocino to the trip. However, it sounds like there are great coastal towns to explore that might be closer, without changing our itinerary.

Thanks all!

Dear Tarheels,
I have had good weather luck on trips to Mendocino in Feb. and March. We often get some weeks of sunny mild weather in those months. If it looks like rain, take Route 128 from Cloverdale through the Anderson Valley out to the coast. It's a pretty drive and will spare you the nail-biting stretch of coastal road just north of Jenner - dramatic at any time of year, but seriously so in winter/early spring because of rock slides and slippery road surface.

Love the suggestion of Goat Rock Beach near Jenner - it's at the Russian River's outflow into the Pacific, and a beautiful place. Incongruous but true and terrific - an Indian restaurant on the highway near the Goat Rock entrance!

Trust me, February/March is a much more "authentic" time to be in the wine country or on the coast. Take it from a long-time local.

February can have some stunning days. We spent a weekend in the Anderson Valley the end of January and sat outside for a wine tasting! I'd say plan on two days which will allow you travel and stopping time. Hwy 128 is a lovely ride out to the coast with a surplus of very good,small wineries.(DO Not miss Lazy Creek).

I think Goat Rock Beach is where the seal lions pup. There are docents who protect the pupping area. It's quite a site.

Enjoy!

Follow that Pam and dovima !
Add me as another local who's enjoyed some stunning days around here in late Feb - we have played hookie just to go out to Jenner for the afternoon and catch the sea lion show.
R5

Thank you all so much for your optimistic responses! Because my husband is a teacher, we have very specific times we can travel. I'm so glad to know that there is potential for great weather in February! We live in New York, so even the "lows" will likely be a nice change for us.

Some other places you might like to see along the Russian River/coast route. Armstrong Redwoods, two miles north of the small town of Guerneville for redwoods. It's about the same size as Muir Woods (small) but far less crowded and has taller trees. A short way north of Jenner are Fort Ross historic park and Salt Point State Beach. Fort Ross is where the Russians made their claim for California in the early 1800s. You could do these along with Bodega Bay as a day trip from Healdsburg, or spend an afternoon north of Jenner, then head south on Highway One through Bodega Bay on your way to San Francisco.

This site
<http://www.californiacoastline.org/> has aerial photos of almost the entire California coast. Do a search for Jenner, Salt Point, Bodega Bay, etc. Most of the pictures were taken in the fall, in February the hills should be green, not brown.

Did someone just recommend taking Hwy 128 through Anderson Valley if it's raining? I can't think of a more dangerous idea. If it's raining, that road gets washed out or completely overrun by the river. Sometimes, both ends of 128 get washed out along with the road to Ukiah, and the valley inhabitants are stuck with no exit for a few days. No, it's not always bad in the winter -- it's often perfectly fine. But no matter what, check the road conditions before you head out, and drive slowly in the rain.

Tarheels.

You mentioned an overnight on the coast?

Here is another idea, go NORTH from Jenner to Timber Cove. This is a spectacular drive. It is about 14 miles, but high and twisty with incredible ocean views. Three miles before Timber Cove is the Fort Ross Historical State Park.

The Timber Cove Inn is also spectacular. I think you can see it on timbercoveinn.com.

It is great to stay there, but a little expensive. Another choice is Fort Ross Lodge, individual rooms with little patios and barbeques..views of the ocean over a meadow. Hot tub. Or a motel called Ocean Cove, I believe.

You won't have problems finding lodgings in February, I don't believe, unless it is abalone season <grin>.

Bodega Bay is pleasant, but not as dramatic....

OH, P.S. This is still in Sonoma County. I think the town of Mendocino is too far for a trip like you are contemplating. But, doable if you take two nights, I think.

Mendocino County begins on the other side of the Gualala River, about 25 miles north of Timber Cove. This is a small art colony and the arts council has a lovely facility. Worth a visit.

jt-The Timber Cove Inn has gone
downhill and is now a rather dirty,
worn at the seams place-used to be quite nice. I surely wouldn't advise anyone to stay there these days.
It's for sale, so maybe someone will fix it up.
R5

Thanks, Razzledazzle, what a shame. I own some property there and used to enjoy myself at the inn in the winter when I needed to check on things and the rates at the Inn were off season.

But a stop to see Benny Bufano's statue to St. Francis and to at least enjoy the architecture and the surrounding cliffs and crashing waves would be worth the time, I think.

I was around when it was built. I have not been inside for some years.

I did know that it was for sale. Let's hope someone with the vision of Richard Clements (the architect and original owner) buys it.

The Fort Ross Lodge is comfortable, and a trip to Gualala would be interesting.

My SIL shows baskets at the art center there...and there are very interesting pieces, to include watercolors, etc.

These are such great suggestions. Thank you all so much!