where to stop between Pt. Reyes and Mendocino:winery/redwood

Hi - After spending 3 days hiking and kayaking at Pt. Reyes we (4 adults) will be driving to Ft. Bragg. Plan to go 116 and then 128 to 1 as advised on these forums. We would like to do one or two short stops on the way. This could be short hikes or a winery tour or anything! Two of us don%26#39;t drink wine but would be interested in touring a winery that has really pretty scenery. The other two will taste! Or is there something else fun to do along this route. We are open to anything interesting and different. We love nature but enjoy the touristy stuff, too.

Thanks for any ideas.

sue

where to stop between Pt. Reyes and Mendocino:winery/redwood

You will be passing by one of the best redwood groves in the area, Armstrong Grove Redwoods State Nature Preserve.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450

This is in Guernville, just a few miles after you leave Hwy 1 and turn right on Hwy 116 after you cross the Russian River.

After Guerneville you will be leaving 116 and heading for Healdsburg, then going north on Hwy 101 18 miles to Cloverdale, where you pick up Hwy 128.

There are wineries in the Russian River area, but I am not too familiar with them. Forestvillian can help you there, and also for wineries near Healdsburg.

where to stop between Pt. Reyes and Mendocino:winery/redwood

Oh, yes--I would definitely agree with Puter that Armstrong Redwoods is the best place to stop along your route to take a short hike under the canopy of those magnificent trees! Afterwards as you continue west on #116 (which becomes River Rd.) you%26#39;ll see on the left side, Korbel Champagne Cellars (www.korbel.com). It%26#39;s a beautiful, historic property with lively tours and a casual tasting bar. There%26#39;s also quite a nice little deli on-site where you can have lunch or pick up things to take with on your trip. If you opt for passing up Korbel, you could make a stop for your ';winery fix'; at either Geyser Peak or Rosso %26amp; Bianco, both in the Geyserville area along #101, for tasting and scenic views--but Korbel would be the best of the options since it will also please the 2 people in your group who don%26#39;t drink. Yet another option would be to wait till you are traveling #128 thru the Anderson Valley and stop at one of the wineries along the way. I especially enjoy Golden Eye, Navarro and Greenwood Ridge: very enjoyable wines, lovely views and friendly people.

If you want to drive for a while before stopping, you can stop at wineries along 128 West of Cloverdale - there are many, but to name a few - Meyer Family Cellars, Toulouse, Navarro, Goldeneye. There is also Hendy Woods State Park on 128 - a great place for a walk amongst the giants and next door to the famous Apple Farm.

Enjoy - it is a beautiful drive!

I would definitley check out Korbel Champagne Cellars. Maybe do a tour here. I would also try to get to Ferrari-Carano to experience the beautiful grounds and gardens here, pretty views of the vineyards too. There is a great gift shop here that the non-wine drinkers could enjoy while the others wine taste. Have fun! :)

You will find yourself in some of the most beautiful coastal areas of California on your trip, imho.

I agree completely with the Armstrong Redwoods suggestion. I used to live in Guerneville and it is a quirky and great little town.

I assume you know you can take hwy 1 all the way up to Fort Bragg from Pt. Reyes Station, and I assume you are taking the 116/128/back to 1 route for specific reasons.

While in Pt Reyes Station, get yourself a treat at the Bovine Bakery in town. Yum!

Hi - the replies are great - we are taking this route to have a change in the trip and because so many people on this forum recommended it as being really scenic. We figured it would be a great way to go through some of the wine country. After 3 nights in Mendocino we will be continuing up the coast to Trinidad.

If anyone thinks we%26#39;d be missing a lot by not continuing up the coastal route - let me know. We%26#39;re still researching!

Thanks for all the great ideas.

sue

That is a tough one.

Both routes are beautiful.

You could always head east on 116, Go to Armstrong, and then head back west on 116 and take 1 north from there.