Gas prices may be skyrocketing, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit at home this summer. Jump in the car and see what’s within easy reach of major cities around the country. We’ve got all the detail on the four new one-tank trips that Peter introduced on CBS This Morning and you can find plenty more in Peter’s book, New Rules of the Road.
San Francisco to Mendocino
155 miles
US-101 N to CA-128 W to CA-1
Most people think of driving from San Francisco to the Napa Valley, but keep driving north and you’ll encounter a special little coastal community. With the Pacific Ocean, redwood trees, and vineyards all within a few miles of one another, this is a true California experience.
Along the way…
From San Francisco, the 101 will take you right into the heart of Sonoma County. Most people go into Healdsburg for wine tasting, but don’t overlook historic Santa Rosa. Peanuts fans can’t miss the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, which showcases the work of the famous cartoonist and offers classes and other workshops. The Luther Burbank Home & Gardens was the home of the famous horticulturist, and features a 1.5-acre garden and greenhouse.
Keep going north and then veer onto the winding CA-128 into Boonville in the Anderson Valley. This area is home to a number of vineyards and wineries, including a number of organic and biodynamic wines. Beyond wine, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company produces local favorite microbrews. If you can, spend a night at The Other Place, a sprawling, 500-acre ranch overlooking the valley.
Mendocino
Keep going on CA-128 it connects to Highway 1 into Mendocino. This community has long been an artist haven, so start at the Mendocino Art Center. Locals frequent the coastal Mendocino Headlands State Park for hiking, jogging, and winter whale watching. Breakfast overlooking the water at Ravens Restaurant is a must, as is dinner at Mendo Bistro (don’t miss the crab cakes!). Get a taste of old Mendocino at the scenic working harbor, Noyo Harbor, at the south end of Fort Bragg, where you can charter a fishing boat to catch crab or salmon, or head out on a whale-watching excursion.
