My personal opinion is that PCH is overrated, mostly because
it's so damn crowded all the time.
Here are some suggested trip notes for those travelling
through Northern California.
Go north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Head through
Sausalito for brunch or whatever. Then take the road to Hwy
1 (not known as PCH North of SF). You'll pass =
Stinson Beach, Pt. Reyes Lighthouse and Tomales Bay which is
one of the most breathtaking bodies of water.
Hwy 1 will wind inland a bit than then turn west again to
the coast. Cross Hwy 116 and stop in Jenner to take
pictures. Turn around and take 116 East following the
Russian River through the town of Guerneville. =
At the fork in Guerneville, stay to the left and keep
heading east through Rio Nido and Korbel (can you say mud
slide?). You'll wind up at 101 which you take north to
Healdsbusg, heart of Sonoma County, famed California wine
region. Go wine tasting, or just have a picnic at one of
the wineries (don't overdo the tasting, it will catch up
with you fast).
Heading North again on 101 (ugly and boring) but when you
get to Cloverdale, head west again on Hwy 128. 128 is one
of the more scenic drives anywhere. The terrain changes
dramatically as you head northwest towards the ocean on this
winding, meandering 2 lane road.
Mountain pines give way to brief flatland as you head into
Booneville in the Anderson Valley. Stop at the Anderson
Valley Brewing Company for some of the best microbrew on the
planet (again, use good judgement about the alcohol, buy
some in a bottle for later). Last time I was there, there
were two immaculately restored BRG '70 MGBs parked in the
shade near the brewery..... anybody we know?
Continue west on 128 and the valley closes in and you see
the first hints of wet, misty California redwood forest. =
The canopy continues to close in as you drive through a
tunnel of lush green. As suddenly as you entered the
forrest, it ends and gives way to Hwy 1 again. =
Head north through Albion and Little River until you get to
Mendocino! Get a room at a B&B (Jenifer and I like the Blue
Heron), see the town, go shopping, take pictures, hike, walk
on the beach and relax.
North again on 1 (more traffic here) look for Hwy 20 just
before Ft. Bragg. Ft. Bragg is an OK town, you might want
to stop in town and see some of the historic buildings and
go shopping in the little downtown area.
Then go east on 20. Hwy. 20 is a tight, twisting, highly
technical and challenging road that jigsaws its way dead
east into the town of Willits and Hwy 101. Nothing really
to see there, so head north. 101 is becoming more scenic at
this point as you enter the gateway to the California
redwood region. (or, skip 20 and just take Hwy 1 north. It
will eventually do the same thing as Hwy 20 and end in
Leggett at 101.)
Either way, head north and pass through Garberville. There
is a great cafe there. I forget the name, but it's on the
right at the beginning of town as you head through. The
next part is the real treat (as if so far these haven't been
unbelievable anyway). =
First, take what is technically Hwy 254, but I think it's
known as the avenue of the redwoods. This is gorgeous and
well worth the drive! There may be some traffic, but just
be patient. This is the REAL redwood forest. At Mattole
Road, go left and head west again. Mattole Rd. is right
after Founders Grove and Founders Tree.
This is your passage to the Unknown Coast. Every year
there's a bike ride here called the Tour of the Unknown
Coast. If you miss this part of the trip, you'll be very
disappointed.
Mattole Rd. winds through the mountains alongside Bull
Creek. From Cathey's Peak (3040 ft elev.) you'll drop
straight down into the tiny farm/ranch town of Honeydew. I
burned up the brakes on a rental car once doing this drive. =
I was supposed to be driving my '67 Midget, but it had a
dash fire the night before :<. The town itself looks like
it was plucked from some mythical countryside.
The road continues to wind down through rolling hills and
pastoral landscape to Petrolia. BTW, between Honeydew and
Petrolia, watch carefully for sheep crossing the road. Also
watch for cattle gratings along the way. Then it's a short,
flat jaunt out to the coast. Then, you'll be REALLY alone. =
Gas up in Petrolia.
The Unknown Coast is a whole lotta nothin but beach, rocks
and ocean (and cattle) for about 6 or 7 miles. You might
see a car or two. That's it. This is a really great road.
The rocks will get bigger and suddenly the road takes a turn
inland and upward. Ocean scenery yields to what can best be
described as California's answer to the Swiss Alp
Countryside, complete with pastures, great fields of
wildflowers and green rolling hills (except in mid-late
summer).
In this direction, you'll climb back up to 2462 ft elev. and
then head back down through pines, madrones, douglas fir and
some redwoods until you pop out in historic Ferndale.
As you pop out into Ferndale, you'll be at the far end of
town, right by the Henry Ford Oyster Bar, Restaurant and
Historic Car Museum (no LBCs I'm afraid). You'll marvel at
the amazing Victorain architecture, all original from the
1800s. Stop in to the kinetic museum and see the Kinetic
Sculpture Race vehicles. Go shopping, relax, have a ball.
=46rom Ferndale, you can head east and wind up back on 101. =
There are dozens of directions you can take from here,
including heading north to Oregon. Besure and stop at Fern
Canyon to hike if you do go north.
Otherwise the rest is up to you!
Happy travels,
Andy
Larry Macy wrote:
> =
> >I hate to differ, but while the road is pretty good, it is well
> >short of the greatest drives in an LBC.
> >
> >The scenery is good, but there is too much traffic (esp. RVs),
> >too many police, and the road doesn't quite have the variation
> >that the greatest roads have.
> >
> >My vote? Well, somewhat parochially I vote for "The Great Ocean Road"
> >here in my homestate of Victoria, Australia. Similar in the sense that=
it is
> <BIG SNIP>
> =
> I guess if we are starting to vote I'll throw in with my favorites.
> Especially since the good driving weater is starting!
> =
> Skyline Drive and the BRP. And in Arkansas the "Pig Trail".
> =
> my 0.02=A2
> =
> Larry Macy
> 78 Midget
> >>
-- =
Andy Ramm
A silver face in a tweed world.
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