Itinerary: Sonoma Coast Road Trip
Point Reyes, Guerneville, Sea Ranch
Seeking a week-long road trip from the Bay Area or Sacramento? This is a fun one. Also doable from SoCal, but it’ll take you about seven hours to get up to Point Reyes.
I’ve driven through much of California over the past nineteen years, but find there are some stretches of the coastline I’ve still not explored. This section from Jenner to Gualala was one. The Lost Coast is another I’m eager to see more of. These beach towns are remote—miles tick by with no major roads back to the artery of the 101. If you’re into a foggy and wild landscape, the Sonoma Coast is a great place to get lost.
First up, Point Reyes National Seashore:
For accommodations within the seashore, there are hike-in campsites. Rustic!
If that’s not your jam, you’ll wish to stay right outside of the boundary in Point Reyes Station, Inverness, or Olema.
Stay Here:
There are a few rentals (check the towns above) like this adorable A-Frame
Olema House is super charming with twenty-two rooms and two cottages, good for group and family trips
Inn at Roundstone Farm cute as a button B&B
I car camped the night before, staying at Olema Campground. It was perfect for the day trip, and only three minutes to the Bear Valley Visitor Center.
To Do:
Limantour Beach - The drive from the visitor center was a delightful surprise. A roller coaster of a road provides glimpses of the Pacific, then dips and you’re back in rolling hills. It was still covered in wildflowers by late June. The beach is wide and easily accessed from the parking area.
Cypress Tree Tunnel - A walkable cypress drive planted in the 1930s, leading to the most Wes Anderson-y KPH Radio Receiving Station
Kehoe Beach - A .6 mile walk to a dog-friendly beach with dramatic cliffs to the north.
Next stop, Guerneville:
A sweet hour and forty-five minute drive from Point Reyes and you’ll arrive at Guerneville. It’s located on the Russian River, prime for floating on a tube and hitting up local wineries. The small town feels a bit like summer camp, one that’s also welcoming to your gay bestie.
Stay Here:
The Stavrand - A new luxury boutique hotel. I feel such kinship with their story—the hotelier also enjoyed fifteen years in hospitality, then made their pandemic dream a reality by lovingly restoring this property.
AutoCamp Russian River - I think by now we all know these cushy airstreams and adore them. Rough it but be chic about it.
Farmhouse Inn - in the neighboring town of Forestville, with fab food and spa.
Camping: There are a multitude of campgrounds and some Hipcamps. I tried a couple of spots including Schoolhouse Canyon which was immaculate and has river access.
To Do:
Lightwave Coffee in next town over Monte Rio
Wine: There are 50 wineries in the Russian River region, Korbel being the closest heavy hitter, but you’re also in a prime location to do Santa Rosa and Healdsburg. I just happened to drive up to there to peep favorite winemakers, Martha Stouman at Little Saint, the cutest place in all of Healdsburg. It took little convincing to hang in Guerneville a day longer to attend Big West Wine Fest. Low intervention wines in a redwood forest with cool people yes yes yes. **Bookmark this one for next year, y’all.
On to Sea Ranch by way of Jenner:
You’ll drive along the Russian River until it empties into the sea and arrive at the sweet little town of Jenner.
Stop at Cafe Aquatica. Just do it. Trust me on this. I want to drive up there right now which would be bonkers and worth it.
The drive between Jenner and Sea Ranch is about an hour. It’s stunning. Most of us marvel at the stretch of the 1 between Big Sur and Carmel. This is equally otherworldly with less visitors.
Stay Here:
Sea Ranch Lodge - Newly opened. You’ll get a true sense of the spirit of the place and the history of Condominium 1.
Of course, there are numerous rentals available on various platforms, VRBO, Airbnb, Vacasa
Mar Vista Farm + Cottages - A short distance north of Sea Ranch, near Gualala.
To Do:
Visit the Sea Ranch Chapel for a whimsical and spiritual meditation.
This is the place for strolling for hours along the dunes, pretending you’re the hero of some gothic novel, or working out your own storyline in your head. Play this song as you’re curled up in your cedar house:
Alright, so these are the highlights for this itinerary. Got anything you’d like to share about these destinations? Please comment if so!
As always…if you’d like help booking any of these hotels, or customizing an itinerary (road trip or other) I’m here for you.
Sage Travels,
H
Excellent information!