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mle
Quote | Reply | This message was updated on 6/8/2005 9:06:38 AM by mle |
california wine country
replied on: 6/7/2005 6:11:17 PM Do you want Healdsburg or no Healdsburg? Because I can give a some-winery western SoCo loop that includes seeing the redwoods and the ocean, or I can give a more-than-that winery tour that just includes the ocean, doable in a day trip from SF. If you want to drive all the way up to Healdsburg, you can park in the downtown plaza area and taste wine from about 15 wineries all in a tiny area . There's also that swanky grocery store, and you can get some overpriced swanky food and eat in the plaza. From there, take the Old Redwood Highway south to Mark West Springs Road and head west for a mile or so until you see Martinelli Vineyard (it's on the left as you're driving west). Stop in there and taste some swanky, super boutique but super tasty wines. Continue west on Mark West Springs and take a left on Olivet Road. Stop in at DeLoach, then take a right on Guerneville Road til you get to Highway 116. Drive 116 and stop in at Topolos. Continue all the way out on 116 til you get to the ocean (Jenner) and drive south on PCH 1 to Bodega Bay. Head inland again on Bodega Highway through Sebastopol and take 116 south til it hits 101 in Rohnert Park. Tomorrow I will post an itinerary that includes the redwoods, but for now I have to go to the gym. |
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wendles
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california wine country
replied on: 6/7/2005 8:39:33 PM I am not worthy! |
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mle
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california wine country
replied on: 6/8/2005 10:57:19 AM For a redwood-included, no-Healdsburg tour, I would have you start out on 101 north to 116 west. Drive through Sebastopol (stop if you want, but it's not necessary) and continue out Bodega Highway to Bodega Bay. It's a gorgeous drive out to the coast. Drive north on PCH 1 (there are any number of small beaches at which to stop if you want to feel some cold wet sand on your toes) and have lunch at this fabulous Indian restaurant called Sizzling Tandoor that's in a really unexpected location just south of Jenner. Take 116 in from Jenner to Monte Rio and hang a left on Armstrong Woods Road. Drive 'til you get to some redwoods. Bask in their gigantic, George Lucas-y glory. Coming back out on Armstrong Woods Road, take a left on River road to Korbel and taste the good champagne (not the crappy-ass stuff). Continue east on River road and take a right on Mirabel and a left on 116, stop in at Topolos. Continue southeast on 116, take a left on Guerneville road and a left on Olivet and stop at DeLoach. Hang a right on River road and stop in at Martinelli. From there, if you're done with tasting, you can head back to 101 south, or if you want some more wine, use the west sonoma county winery map to find other wineries you'd like to try. Personally, to avoid the most tourists and get the best tour through the west county, I'd do the second trip, but if you are interested in seeing what the wine industry has done for Healdsburg, do option 1. The nice thing about that would be getting to taste wine from a bunch of wineries without actually having to go to those wineries (there are tasting rooms all around the plaza). |
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wendles
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california wine country
replied on: 6/8/2005 11:01:37 AM Redwoods and beach sound better than swank groceries and tasting rooms. Thanks so much, M! You're wonderful and a true ambassador for Sonoma County. 
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Pussy Galore
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california wine country
replied on: 6/10/2005 12:11:32 AM hey, I like swank groceries and tasting rooms! |
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wendles
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california wine country
replied on: 6/10/2005 2:07:29 PM Hey, me too! But redwoods and beach sound just a wee bit better to me. I have swank groceries out here, but no Big Ass Endor Trees or beach. |
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drewmeister_sd
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california wine country
replied on: 6/13/2005 9:46:27 AM Over the weekend I drove up the 1 from Frisco to Bodega Bay. It did have a few dramatic views at the Southern end, but frankly, I was a little disappointed. It is time consuming as well. With a couple of quick stops, it took a good 2.5 hours to get there. On the way back, we took the 101 which was much quicker (but obiviously less scenic). Maybe it was due to the howling winds, but I didn't find much of interest in Bodega Bay. I did stop by one of my fav microbreweries in Novato for a tasty beer. We wandered around downtown Petaloma for a bit. It must have been "Disaffected Youth" day. Lots of mohawks and girly boys wearing mascara. |
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wendles
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california wine country
replied on: 6/13/2005 12:39:18 PM quote: My favorite! Nothing's hotter. |
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wendles
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california wine country
replied on: 6/28/2005 5:28:22 PM MLE, we strayed a bit from your itinerary but still managed to hit many points. We decided to wander up 1 after crossing the GGbridge for a bit and wandered over to Petaluma to pick up the wineries. So we ended up kinda bassackwards on your trail. The first place we stopped at is a new place run by a very nice Australian guy, Loxton. Amazing port and of course a wonderful Syrah. The winemaker himself did the pouring and chatting and was so cheerful and helpful and very nice. We made the mistake of wandering into Kenmore (sucky wine and rude staff, although good bathroom) and St Francis (turned around and left after being sort of ignored for a while). But! we did make it to Martinelli and DeLoach, both of which were delightful and fruitful visits. Since you can now ship wine to Kentucky (stupid old law!) we joined the DeLoach wine club because we like to say "our wiiiine club" in Thurston Howell voice. At DeLoach, we heard about the hoard of maraudering NASCAR visigoths who tore through the winery earlier that day, much to the dismay of just about everyone. The bus driver hit the side of the building and the whole bus load of NASCAR fans were drunk and left beer cans outside. Yeesh! Then we wandered up to the redwoods, ate some awesome burritos, drove down to the beach (DANGER! Goat Rock Beach!) and wandered down Bodega Bay until we picked up the 101 again to go back to the city. Thanks for the itinerary and winery recs! |
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vera
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california wine country
replied on: 9/13/2005 2:21:37 PM Drew: Moylan's ? |
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