Getting Oriented in the North Coast
It's all but impossible to explore the Northern California coast without a car. Indeed, you wouldn't want to—driving here is half the fun. The main road is Highway 1, two lanes that twist and turn (sometimes 180 degrees) up cliffs and down through valleys in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, with U.S. 101 proceeding parallel inland until the two roads join northward in the Redwood Country of Humboldt County.
- Bodega Bay. Harbor seals bask on Bodega Bay's windswept beaches.
- Jenner. Cliffs here overlook the estuary where the Russian River empties into the Pacific.
- Elk. Perched high above the ocean, Elk entices with a downscale roadhouse café and an ultraluxurious resort.
- Little River. Bask in breathtaking ocean views at inns and restaurants in Little River and nearby Albion.
- Mendocino. Artsy Mendocino is all about aesthetics, from sweeping coastal vistas to stylishly plated cuisine
- Ft. Bragg. Travelers love this down-to-earth town for its botanical garden, working harbor, and water's-edge trail.
- Philo. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir star in scenic Philo.
- Boonville. Sip beer at a famous brewery or drop by family-owned wineries at this town with a certified language all its own.
- Hopland. This wisp of a town has acquired a hip cachet for its tasting rooms, restaurants, and lodgings.
- Ukiah. Wine making in and around Mendocinio County's largest city dates back a century-plus.
- Avenue of the Giants. This glorious stretch of redwoods passes through tiny Weott.
- Eureka. Ornate Victorians line downtown blocks of this gateway to national and state parks.
- Trinidad. A former trading post, Trinidad trades these days on its beauty and proximity to ocean and redwoods.
