This drive has so much to offer on the way to and from the coast. Great wine tasting (we like Roederer and Navarro) , wonderful fruit and veggie stands (Gowan's had nice corn, apples and pears), wonderful Mexican food (Libby's in Phillo), a walk through the redwoods....there is never enough time to do everything this beautiful place has to offer. Really a relaxing change from the business of Sonoma or Napa. It feels like Napa used to be 25 years ago.
This road between Mendocino and clear lake: road 128 and 253 is superb. You find along a lot of really good wineries without pretention and certainly less expensive than in The famous Napa valley. Specially the road 253 seems flight on the top of the hills. The landscape is wonderful. Take your lunch , Spend your journey, it will be a really pleasure.
Very beautiful. Authentically rustic. Hendy Woods is great. Coast access is great. Real darming and small town community.
Driving to the coast through the Anderson Valley is a constant enticement to stop and get distracted--by the myriad wineries with their great Pinot Noirs and aromatic white wines. For beer drinkers, there is a brewery and tasting room in Boonville. In season, the apple orchards have gravenstein and other apple varieties. Plus, a stop off in Hendy Woods State Park will bring you face to face with old growth redwood trees, or you can enjoy driving through the second growth redwoods of Navarro State Reserve.
Its a gorgeous valley with friendly people and great wineries without the pretentiousness of Napa or Sonoma. Bucolic.
The drive from Mendocino on Rte. 128 is so beautiful and I'm so glad I decided to go this way. You can't throw a stone and not hit a beautiful vineyard or just see a gorgeous view. The road goes through an awesome huge redwood forest and then opens up to wine country. The area seems mostly unspoiled by tourism, yet very accommodating. The views are spectacular, especially at the Husch, Phillips Hill and Goldeneye Vineyards. After that, since I was driving I had to keep on going past the rest of the wineries. I just don't get the whole spitting it out thing :)
Loved the inn called The Madrones, great wineries, especially liked Bink winery, not many shops but the ones there were great, cool windy roads, beautiful fall colors, will come back.
Go to the anderson valley for wine tastings!!!!! many tasting rooms give free flights, and the wine makers will tell you more about the vineyards, processing etc.
Beautiful scenery, great wines, really nice people all over. We relaxed during our stay and learned about the regional wines in an exceptional setting. Also hiked in 2 great parks. Thoroughly enjoyed it! A grown up vacation!
This area, Anderson Valley is a beautiful drive with lots of excellent vineyards and tasting rooms. If you are in or near this area, it is worth a visual visit!!!