Road trip stops & our local favorites

Driving from San Francisco up the coast

The fastest way

Departing from SF, you’ll drive inland through Marin County along the 101 and transition to farm roads once you hit Petaluma. You have a few fantastic options for lunch along this route in Marin, including Hook Fish Co, In N Out, or RH Rooftop if you’re feeling fancy. If you like beer, stop at the iconic Lagunitas Brewing or Henhouse (our favorite!)

For a funky ‘locals only’ experience, stop for long lunch at Rocker Oysterfellers in Valley Ford - or grab-and-go at Valley Ford Creamery.

Once you get to the scenic coastal roads, you’ll pass through Bodega Bay where there’s a great little winery called Sonoma Coat Vineyards.

Highway 1 scenic route

If you drive Highway 1 all the way up from SF, there are endless amazing stops along the way! We highly recommend stopping in Point Reyes Station for lunch, where you have several great options like Brickmaiden Breads and Side Street Kitchen. Whatever you do, don’t miss the buffalo milk gelato at Palace Market. They have a great sandwich bar too! For unique local experience, we also recommend stopping at Heidrun Meadery to try some honey and sparkling mead.

You’ll also pass through Marshall, which has great oyster and seafood options like The Marshall Store or Hog Island Oyster (reservations are required here now, but you can always try your luck!)

Jenner

Brunch at Café Aquatica

Start your day at Café Aquatica, a charming roadside retreat for a casual, organic meal, and a hot cup of coffee. Enjoy breakfast pastries, savory breakfast burritos, or bagels with cream cheese and lox. The café deck overlooks a beautiful estuary, offering views of local flora and fauna.

Kayaking with WaterTreks EcoTours

Nature and outdoor enthusiasts can live out their vacay dreams via a kayaking tour with WaterTreks EcoTours, owned by Suki Waters, a local Native American guide and kayak instructor. Visitors can explore quiet estuaries or the Pacific Ocean while learning about local wildlife, Sonoma County history, and more.

Outdoor adventures

If you're seeking some fun out of the water, take a short drive south on Highway 1 to Goat Rock Beach, which offers views of immense sea stacks (tall, rocky columns that rise out of the ocean), white-capped waves, sand dunes, and the massive, flat-topped rock that gives the beach its name. The spot is popular for birdwatching and hiking, and features several trails, including Kortum Trail, a 4.6-mile loop that connects Blind Beach, Shell Beach, and Wright's Beach. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, the 6.2-mile Pomo Canyon Trail follows the historical trading route of the Pomo and Miwok peoples and leads hikers into a redwood forest with a waterfall.

Wine tasting in Downtown Jenner

Browse for locally crafted souvenirs at Jenner Sea Gifts and Wines, a small shop offering jewelry, clothing, chimes, seashells, and local wines. Then, visit Tasting by the Sea, a wine bar in the back of the gift shop. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting, or order wines by the glass or bottle, while enjoying gorgeous views of the Russian River.

Wine tasting & small bites pairing at Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery

Known for their zesty Pinot Noirs and crisp Chardonnays, this vineyard is closer to the Pacific Ocean than any other vineyard in California. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays through Tuesdays, Fort Ross offers Wine Tasting & Small Bites Pairings. Their in-house chef sources all of the products locally, providing guests with a true farm-to-table experience.

Fort Ross State Historic Park

Dive into history at Fort Ross State Historic Park, which from 1812 to 1841 was the hub of the southernmost Russian settlements along the West Coast. Faithfully reconstructed buildings recall the once-thriving colony, including the stockade, a Russian chapel, a barracks, two blockhouses, and a windmill. Visitors can explore the park at their own pace, with helpful staff available to assist with any questions or other needs.

San Francisco

It’s too hard to narrow down our favorite San Francisco spots, so we’ll share Molly + Matt’s picks! Please feel free to reach out to us if you want neighborhood-specific recommendations.

Favorite bar

Molly: True Laurel

Matt: Trick Dog *conveniently close to True Laurel!

Favorite burrito

Molly: Taqueria Cancun

Matt: La Taqueria (warning- cash only!)

Favorite city hike

Molly: Bike through Golden Gate Park and hike Land’s End

Matt: Twin Peaks

Favorite place for a drink outside

Molly: Grab some wine & snacks to go at Bi-Rite and drink at Dolores Park

Matt: Zeitgeist (warning- cash only!)

Favorite sandwich

Molly: Souvla

Matt: Palm City in the outer sunset (get the mortadella hoagie!)

Favorite restaurant

Molly: Mister Jiu’s

Matt: Zuni Cafe

Favorite touristy experience

Molly: Fisherman’s Wharf + In N Out + Ferry Building

Matt: Tonga room

Napa

Drive along the Silverado trail and stop for lunch at Oakville Grocery (we recommend the off-menu tuna niçoise sandwich!) We are members at Odette, Frog’s Leap, Cade, and Ashes & Diamonds. Let us know if you would like us to book you a reservation! Insider tip: both Trefethen winery and the iconic Plumpjack winery both accept walk-ins in case you don’t book reservations in advance.

Sonoma

Wander Sonoma Square for some walk in wine tastings (we love Three Sticks Winery) and grab lunch at Valley Bar & Bottle!