Bay Area/Napa/Portland road trip

[Brodarious Hamm Sandwich 126]

Heading out at the end of August for almost 2 weeks. Starting out in SF midweek, then Berkeley for a few days (UNC vs Cal to open the season on Sat September 1). Sunday, we’re heading to wine country, then Tuesday or Wednesday, my wife and I are splitting from the other couple we’re going with and driving up the coast, finishing in Portland.

 

I’ve never been North of LA when on the West Coast, so any recs of restaurants, vineyards, breweries, and places to stay in Napa and up the coast would be appreciated. Any advice on Sonoma vs Napa? Stops between Northern California wine country and Portland? Thoughts on National Park/state parks?

 

I also really want to rent a fun car for the drive, but I only know of Turo for that and would prefer not having to return a car from Portland to the Bay Area.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[markstanco 12611]

Check out the Portland thread.

[HenryJames 66171]

Driving up the coast from SF is very different than driving down the coast from SF.

[Brodarious Hamm Sandwich 126]

Driving up the coast from SF is very different than driving down the coast from SF.

 

No shit. Everything is on the other side! That’s why I’d do it in reverse

[6th Street 6508]

Sonoma + Healdsburg over Napa if you want a more laid back experience absent all the bachelorette parties, bus groups, and tasting fees. 

Also highly recommend driving out to Mendocino/Fort Bragg - drive thru the redwood forest which eventually hits the 1 with incredible views. Other stops time permitting are Bodega Bay and Point Reyes although the windy road can be taxing. 

If you want the detour en route to Portland, Crater Lake is badass, and Bend is one of the coolest towns I've been to.

Edited April 17, 2018 by 6th Street

[Brodarious Hamm Sandwich 126]

Sonoma + Healdsburg over Napa if you want a more laid back experience absent all the bachelorette parties, bus groups, and tasting fees. 

Also highly recommend driving out to Mendocino/Fort Bragg - drive thru the redwood forest which eventually hits the 1 with incredible views. Other stops time permitting are Bodega Bay and Point Reyes although the windy road can be taxing. 

If you want the detour en route to Portland, Crater Lake is badass, and Bend is one of the coolest towns I've been to.

 

Thanks, 6S! This is why I pay dues here. As far as Crater Lake, is that a day trip, or should we try to stay on the lake or camp there?

[Incredulity 11683]

Crater Lake is a huge detour from the coast.  It is awesome and maybe what you want to do, but it is no simple detour from driving up the coast.

[6th Street 6508]

36 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

Crater Lake is a huge detour from the coast.  It is awesome and maybe what you want to do, but it is no simple detour from driving up the coast.

True. If you're coming up the 5 the detour is doable but a massive detour from PCH.

Oregon coast highlights are Coos Bay, the Dunes (rent 4 wheelers), Cannon Beach/Ecola State Park. 

[HornPhD 1368]

Leave early for the trip to wine country. Especially if you're heading to the Santa Rosa area via 101N.

If you like beer, stop by Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma (off of 101). They also have a pretty decent food menu. 

[Chewbacca 7785]

Leave early for the trip to wine country. Especially if you're heading to the Santa Rosa area via 101N.
If you like beer, stop by Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma (off of 101). They also have a pretty decent food menu. 

Lagunitas had a great tap room.

[TheFlyingBoat 907]

Make sure to stop by Salt and Straw for some ice cream in Portland. Best ice cream I've ever had. Beats Lick by a good margin imo and therefore, obviously blows out Amy's out of the water (still love Amy's though). I'd recommend getting a flight and treating yourself.

[otisdog 365]

Sonoma is a very cool old town set around a square....worth an overnight , for sure.  The Marin Headlines, across the Golden Gate, are nice, as is the town of Bolinas. The Francis Drake peninsula is rugged and remote, and has a nice herd of Elk...but everything on the coast heading north is rugged and remote. North of SFD peninsula is Tomales bay, which has good oyster farms and restaurants. Interesting to see the russian architecture thats further north - many folks don't know that they were once here, harvesting sea otters for their fur.

Edited April 18, 2018 by otisdog

[workswithseed 2111]

My parents are making basically the same trip up to come see me in Portland. Mom found a place called Fern Canyon in California and she wants to stop there. It looks pretty damn cool. I also second Lagunitas as well, thier beer is good.