Two drives - Fort Bragg to Healdsburg & Jenner to Santa Rosa at night
 

I am not a particularly timid driver but I always much prefer to head north along hwy 1 so that we are not on the cliff side (I don't particularly love the drop-off!). I realize that going from Fort Bragg south, I won't get to enjoy the views because I will be the driver and will be on the cliff side. We are headed down to Healdsburg & Santa Rosa. This will be during the day.

I'm wondering if the drive from Fort Bragg down to where 128 intersects is a very frightening stretch of road or is it better to cut inland sooner and take the Comptchke Ukiah Road south?

Second, I'm thinking of doing late night kayaking trip with my daughter in Jenner which ends at 10:30 pm but will be staying in Santa Rosa and am wondering if the drive is pretty simple then.

I think just the unfamiliarity of it all makes it a bit daunting. Thanks for the gentle advice.

128 is MUCH easier then the Comptche Ukiah rd.
I don't like driving at night so I would not drive from Jenner to Santa Rosa late at night after a kayak trip as I'd be tired!

Ok, really good to know about 128. Part of the appeal of the nighttime kayak trip is there will be a meteor shower and a phosphorescent algae bloom. While being on a kayak in an estuary sounds cool, the nighttime drive is a bit off-putting. I realized I can see those two amazing things from the beach in Fort Bragg at night.

Forgot to add - 128 is still twisty though.

Twisty inland is less scary than a 200 ft. drop to the right into the beautiful pacific ocean.

The other problem that may (or may not) impact the views from Jenner is fog. It can cloud the views - usually a few miles inland it is clear again, but the coast can get foggy. Unfortunately cannot predict the weather (sigh).

We have driven from Bodega Bay to Santa Rosa late at night - except for being dark its an ok drive. Its basically Bodega Highway/turns into CA12. You will need to drive first from Jenner to Bodega Bay - it again is a fairly easy drive. You will need to gauge how tired you are however as the night air; kayaks as already mentioned do have a way of doing that. I would just go this route instead if you do decide to do the night kayak trip.

No, you do not need to drive to Bodega Bay to get from Jenner to Santa Rosa.

You would go 116 from Jenner through Duncan's Mills, Monte Rio, Guerneville and Forestville.

I've done this drive thousands of times, it's fine, just stay alert and watch for wildlife and if Gualalalisa is behind you and you are driving under the speed limit, pull over, and you should be fine!

Best,
Lisa

There are some very very twisty parts of 128 I don't like (between Booneville and Cloverdale), so at night I'd take Hwy 20 to Willets,then head south on 101 to Healdsburg. It is a steeper grade and curvy, but it is a nice road and will be over more quickly. Then it's smooth sailing down 101.