getting there is half the fun
Here are our best tips, starting from the Golden Gate Bridge and continuing north to Oz Farm, to have a memorable and delicious journey!
A few good resources overall for this region:
Sausalito
A gorgeous place to check out while still in the Bay Area, if you've already seen San Francisco or need a spot to stop before heading north to Oz Farm. Idyllic shops and restaurants on the water, views of SF, so nautical! We like eating at The Spinnaker.
Point Reyes Station
A small town with a Wild West feel, super interesting vintage & maker shops, cafés, a fab bakery. Just outside of that town along Highway 1 is Heidrun Meadery (Mjöd!).
Stinson Beach
Our favorite beach within the Bay Area. Pretty good waves, lots of dolphin sightings, amazing sand, lots of parking, Stinson Market is epic for beach snacks and Parkside Cafe is perfect beachside food.
Tomales Bay/Marshall
Fresh oysters are farmed in the Tomales Bay. Every time we go north we stop at The Marshall Store for fresh or BBQ local oysters, salmon plates and beers. Sit in the sun, look out over the Bay...the spot is a major vibe!
Nick's Cove
If you didn't stop at Marshall Store, but still want awesome oysters and seafood and a cozy waterside vibe, stop at Nick's. Down-to-earth restaurant on the water with lovely surroundings (look at Google Images!). There's a cute hut out on the pier with a gorgeous piano in it, and a phone you can order food from the main restaurant! Nick's Cove also has an amazing place to stay too.
Bodega Bay
Fantastic little town to stay for a couple days, stop for whole day or just lunch! Beaches to hike, kayak the bay, wine taste, shop, and eat seafood to your heart's content. Eat and drink: fresh Crab and the best clam chowder we've had on the West Coast at Spud Point Crab Company, Other great places to eat include Fishetarian Fish Market, Boat House or a world class dinner at Terrapin Creek. Have a very small beach town shopping experience at Candy & Kites.
Jenner (Cafe Aquatica & Wine Tasting By The Sea!)
This is a blink-and-you-miss-it mini-town that has one of our most favorite spots in the world. Wine Tasting By The Sea is a cozy chillaxed place with lots of live music weekend afternoons and next door is Cafe Aquatica with great light food, coffee and merch. These spots look out at the Russian River where it empties into the Pacific Ocean! The gift shop there is a favorite as well. You can rent kayaks or enjoy the beach here too. Stay at Jenner Inn, or River's End Inn. If it works out, catch a sunset dinner at River's End restaurant! Magic.
Duncans Mills
By Jenner, drive off Highway 1 for just 12 minutes on 116 to get to this super unique village. This place feels like stepping back in time, into a western fairytale. It has charming 1800s buildings full of bohemian maker shops, both local and international gifts and art galleries, and cute options for tea, coffee, lunch. We always stop by Gold Coast Coffee & Bakery and you CAN"T miss wine & cheese tasting at Sophie's Cellars.
Sebastopol (on 116, links to Highway 1 and 101)
Okay here's the deal - skip Napa on this California trip! Go to Sebastopol! If you want to find yourself surrounded by more funky wineries, delicious cheesemakers and artsy shops than you could ever hope to cross off your list, this town is your jam! Farm to table restaurants galore too! Pax tasting room introduced us to some of our favorite wine, if you like natural wine do not skip that spot!
Guerneville (on 116, links to Highway 1 and 101)
Everyone at some point in their lives should spend a couple summer days here! One of our favorite towns in California! It's about 20 minutes off Highway 1 and easy to go through on your way to or from Point Arena. There is a laid back bohemian summer camp vibe but with some hip spots blended in. We like to go tubing down the river here or hang on Johnson's beach, catch a beer at Stumptown Brewery, catch live music and dinner at Rio Nido Roadhouse. Get hella chic good food at Boon or Brot.
Shop at fantastic ungentrified thrift shops as well as plants and antiques at Sonoma Nesting Company. Or get some ice cream or buy some crystals!
Fort Ross
Historic colony for Russian settlers, see how they lived in 1836! Cool place for a 1 hour tour on your roadtrip, with absolutely stunning views sitting cliffside over the ocean.
Timber Cove Resort
This hotel is perched on an ocean bluff and gives mid-century modern meets coastal mountain cozy. It's an amazing place to stay the night, but even just stop by for a drink in the lounge and you'll have a cherished memory in your roadtrip scrapbook.
Ocean Cove Bar & Grill
Super casual spot, casual American food, but with a world class ocean view deck and bar. A fabulous, quick, affordable, delightful road trip stop.
Sea Ranch
Description to come
Gualala
Description to come
St Orres
Description to come
Cooks Beach
Description to come