My parents lived in Redwood Valley California, near Ukiah...when I had to take my mom down to a doctor in Napa, my aunt suggested that rather than driving down 101, I go through the back roads, and that way we could go through the heart of the Napa Valley, and see the vineyards, the wineries, and just the general beauty of the whole area...
So with map in hand, and some directions from my aunt, we did just that...and what a wonderful ride it was....that whole Napa Valley is gorgeous...a for a treat, we got to see the Wine Train going down the tracks, taking visitors from one winery to another...
Three years ago, my hubby and I, and my hubbys best friend, were visiting my relatives in Petaluma...for the day, we went down to Bodega Bay, and had a wonderful seafood dinner...Yummy...then we all went on to Ft. Ross, and I think, Armstrong Grove...
That whole area north of San Francisco is just so enchanting...
Did you ever find out if that Copper River Salmon came in yet? We had our Copper River Salmon last evening, and I still have enough left for two more meals...love that salmon...
My wife hates it with the narrow road, curves, and up and down the hills between 101 and Calistoga. I have driven it so many times that even in a Bronco we are moving right along.
Our favorite day trip is to drive over to Bodega Bay, walk around the head and then find some great Calamari for lunch. Then drive up to Jenner and a little north. During steelhead/salmon season, my wife will drop me off at Casini's ranch go do some shopping and come back. We take a cooler to carry back the fresh salmon, rock fish or D. Crabs that we buy right on the piers many times.
For two or three day trips we go to Bodega and do the same and then drive up to Gualala for a couple of nights. There are a couple of really great restaurants there. Then up the road is a great seafood restaurant at the foot of a pier. There is a seafood company and they bring the food right to the restaurant. We have seen the chefs go down to the pier and meet the boats and bring back dinner.
I called the sea food place that sells the Copper River Salmon, and they said that they didn't have it yet. There is a new sea food store opening in Napa, and they may have gotten the rights to the fish. Thanks for the heads up.
Napa is a great place to live except for all of the liberals.