San Francisco to Napa via Coastal Route

We%26#39;re in the planning stages of a trip to San Francisco and Napa in late July. I%26#39;ve driven the route from the city directly to Napa three times before, so I thought it might be nice to somehow get there via a coastal route. It looks like you would have to drive through the Sonoma Valley to reach Napa when you head east from the coast, which is great!

Can anyone recommend a specific way to go if we have a leisurely day (most likely a Friday) to meander through scenic areas - I%26#39;ve never seen that part of the coast nor Sonoma, so all suggestions of scenic places to stop and/or lunch would be appreciated!

San Francisco to Napa via Coastal Route

You can take Highway 1 up to Jenner and then turn east, following the Russian River and on to Hwy 101 above Santa Rosa, then Hwy 12 to the Sonoma Valley and 12/121 over to the Napa Valley.

This takes you past Point Reyes National Seashore and through Bodega Bay, which is a fishing village where parts of Hitchcock%26#39;s ';The Birds'; was filmed. At Guerneville, after you turn east, you could visit Armstrong Grove Redwoods State Park. Then take Hwy 116 to 101.

There are some wineries along this route which others can be more specific about. The Sonoma Valley is very pretty and uncrowded and the town of Sonoma is charming, built around an 11-acre Plaza from the days of the Mexican occupation, with adobe barracks and hotels ringed around it, now housing boutiques and restaurants, etc. As I am sure you know, there are many wineries in this valley.

If, after looking at a map and estimating the time you feel this would take too long, and not leave enough time for stops along the way, you could cut out the first part, which is not really on the coast, all the way, and make a loop from Petaluma. Just go north on Hwy 101 to Petaluma, take the Washington Street exit, and stay on it through town,. It becomes the Bodega Hwy and takes you directly into Bodega Bay. A petty country drive. From here north the 10 miles or so to Jenner are several State beaches, easily reached from their parking lots along the highway.

You can also get to the Napa Valley by taking a curvy mountain road to Calistoga from north of Santa Rosa, on Hwy 101, but then you would miss the Sonoma Valley, which would be a shame.

Have fun planning and have a great trip.