Last week, the stars all aligned (thanks to my daughter’s school retreat!) and my husband and I were able to sneak off on a two-day adventure to Northern California.
For this get-away, we decided to take a road trip up one of my all-time favorite stretches of road — Highway 1 through West Marin and up the Sonoma Coast.
California Road Trip: West Marin & Sonoma Coast
My husband and I both grew up in the Bay Area. But we don’t come back to visit as often as we’d like. And it’s been a long while since we’ve driven this magical route.
It’s hard to believe that just a few short miles from downtown San Francisco, you can find yourself is such an unbelievably beautiful, rural landscape with redwood forests, bucolic farmlands, and dramatic, rugged coastline.
Oh, and did I mention the food and drink? While you might feel like you are in the middle of nowhere (with no cell phone coverage) as you drive along this wild stretch of California coast, but the region is actually a foodie destination thanks to the all the available fresh, locally-sourced produce, dairy, and seafood.
Marin and Sonoma Roadtrip Route:
We started our trip at the San Fransisco airport, driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, through Mill Valley, and along the Panoramic Highway towards Highway 1.
Dramatic Coast Views from Mt. Tamalpais
Our first stop was to check out the spectacular views of the coast from the ridges of Mt. Tamalpais. We turned off the Panoramic Highway at the Pantoll Campground and headed up the mountain via the Pantoll Road.
There are several great viewing spots right off the road. On one side, you can get a spectacular bird’s-eye view of San Francisco and the Bay. And on the other, you can see Stinson Beach and the coastline (if there’s no fog!).
Stocking up in Point Reyes Station
From there, we headed north on Highway 1 to the town of Point Reyes Station, which serves as a home base for the Point Reyes National Seashore, a 71,000-acre national park.
This protected, outdoor playground includes miles of wild coastal beaches, wildlife including elk, whales, and shorebirds, as well as some historic, private farms and ranches. It’s a great spot for hiking and camping.
We stopped to pick up some lunch at the Cowgirl Creamery at Tomales Bay Foods in Point Reyes Station before heading off to the park. We bought sandwiches (the house-roasted turkey sandwich with Fromage Blanc and onion jam is so good!) and stocked up on our favorite Cowgirl Creamery cheeses.
Favorite Spots to Visit in Pt. Reyes National Seashore
- The Bear Valley Trail: This is an easy hike that will take you from the Bear Valley Visitor Center to the ocean. The relatively flat hike, which is 8.2 miles total, meanders through forests and meadows and is largely protected from the sun and wind. Although it’s a popular trail, we saw only a few people the day we hiked. And there are plenty of places to stop and picnic.
- Cypress Tree Tunnel: This landmark is an easy drive from the town of Pt. Reyes Station. The trees, which were planted around 1930, line the driveway of the historic KPH Maritime Radio Receiving Station. Although the tunnel is popular on IG, there was only one other person who drove by during our visit.
- Pt. Reyes Lighthouse: The iconic lighthouse was built in 1870 to warn mariners of the dangers of the Pt. Reyes headlands. NOTE: It’s currently undergoing restoration. Make sure to check to see if it’s open before you go.
Oysters and Cocktails in Tomales Bay
After an afternoon exploring Pt. Reyes, we headed north to Nick’s Cove in Tomales Bay, a region known for its delicious oysters.
Dating back to the 1930s, Nick’s Cove has been serving up fresh seafood to passing tourists. They’ve also been renting out their waters-edge cabins, which are still in use.
We enjoyed a leisurely snack of fresh BBQ’d oysters, a regional specialty, and cocktails. Our picks: the Coastal Collins and the Tomales Tonic. Both went perfectly with the food — and the stunning view of the fog rolling in over Tomales Bay.
Timber Cove Resort
From Tomales Bay, we headed north to spend the night at the Timber Cove Resort, which is located just north of Jenner (where spot where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean).
As you drive north on Highway 1 into Sonoma, the views become even more dramatic as the road winds up the steep bluffs overlooking the ocean.
But while the driving can be a tad scary at times (don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights!), it’s also these same cliffs that make the views from the Timber Cover Resort so amazing.
The wooden-framed, 54-room hotel, which was built in 1963 and remodeled in 2016, is perched on a hilltop overlooking the ocean. It has a hippy-chic vibe, a bit reminiscent of the Post Ranch Inn, with vinyl recorded players, eco-friends toiletry products and fireplaces in all the rooms.
It also has a west-facing, ocean-view restaurant, Coast Kitchen, which is the perfect spot to dine while watching the sunset. And there is also a fun, bar featuring a large, stone fireplace.
Since we’d pretty much snacked our way up the coast, we opted to eat a light meal in the bar, where a guitar player belted out iconic 70s hits, before heading outside to the firepit to enjoy cocktails.
As the sun set, and the night air turned cool, we decided to head back to our room. And even though the front desk staff warned us that raccoons sometimes sneak into the rooms looking for food, we kept the door open (screen closed!) so we could fall asleep by the sounds of the waves crashing below. It was heavenly!
And by the way, I never saw a raccoon anywhere on the property.
Things to Do Near Timber Cove:
- Tour Fort Ross: Just a few miles south of the hotel is the cliffside Fort Ross State Historic Park, which was a Russian-American settlement from 1812 to 1841 before it became a working ranch in 1878. There are several walking trails, and the preserved Fort, as well as a museum and a historic orchard. Tip: bring cash to pay the $8 entrance fee.
- Hike at Salt Point State Park: This gorgeous state park, with 20 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of rugged coastline, is located about 5 miles north of the hotel. It’s a great place to bring a picnic and enjoy the stunning scenery.
- Explore the Gualala River with Adventure Rents: If you’re done looking at the water and are ready to get out on it, try this rental and tour company. It’s located in Gualala just over 20 miles north of the hotel. Tip: you can also explore the Russian River with the Jenner-based Watertreks Eco-Tours or Russian River Adventures.
- Wander through the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: This grove of ancient redwood trees is located in Guerneville, a small town along the Russian River as you head inland from the coast. Tour the trees by hiking along an easy (flat), well-marked trail. The entrance fee is $10 per car.
Things to Know Before You Go:
- Cell phone service is horrible in this area. Make sure to download any directions you need before you go.
- Also, bring some cash. We didn’t spot any ATMs.
- And make sure to pack some clothes for cooler temperatures. Yes, it’s California. But it can be foggy, windy and pretty chilly on the coast.
WANT TO SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER? JUST PIN IT!
Just a note: This is not a paid or sponsored post! All the opinions expressed here are all my own.