Getting Here
While all roads may lead to Rome, there’s only one official road to the house, namely the Shoreline Highway, also known as State Route 1, or California Highway 1. The instructions from Highway 1 to the house remain the same.
At mile marker SOM 57.72 on Highway 1, turn into Halcyon, right at Leeward Road, and left at Main Sail.
However, there are many ways to reach Highway 1 from your point of origin. The GPS directions are often not the preferred and easiest way to reach this road. Below are a few tips and tricks that will make for an easier and expedited journey.
Print and carry the directions with you. Mobile devices will be of little help in dead spots or areas of weak network signals.
Check for delays or detours. due to road work, land slides or accidents. (Click here for District 4 CalTrans projects in the Bay Area Counties and Jenner Traffic and Road Conditions and use Waze while driving along freeways).
If you are like us, you intend on enjoying the journey as much as the destination. Here are a few recommendations for making the most of your drive up to/down from The Sea Ranch. We recommend making reservations where available and check on the business hours of the places you plan to visit to avoid any last minute disappointments. Business hours tend to change by season. Restaurants, wineries, galleries and exhibition spaces are at times booked for private events. Here are a few pitstops we enjoy the most.
The Santa Rosa Farmers market is open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings and provides a well-deserved break mid-way into the journey.
Woodenhead winery deserves another pitstop. They serve, brag worthy line of Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels, and have surprises like a French Colombard, sparkling white and rose. Ask for Zina or Erin and let them know that Kevin and Nirmal say Hi! and send a big hug. They have an eclectic display of local art and sculptures and their patio hosts a vista of vineyards in the foreground and on clear sunny days, Mt. Diablo on the horizon.
The Russian River Pub makes for a good lunch/early dinner pitstop.
We love stopping by the shops in the the cute little towns of Duncans Mills. While Guerneville can offer a host of things to do, we tend to drive through it or stop at the Safeway only to pick any essentials we might have missed.
The Fort Ross Historic State Park is another cool place to visit if you find yourself with plenty of time before check-in or after check-out.
From the Fort Ross Historic State Park , drive up the ridge to Fort Ross Winery. Order a wine tasting and a cheese plate and soak in the views of the Farallon Islands from their patio (weather permitting of course).
Don't forget to slow down to 25mph when passing through the town of Jenner to grab the opportunity to take a turnout for some Instaworthy vistas from the bluff.
There is plenty more to do along the way, but we have highlighted the ones we enjoy the most. As you drive on Highway 116 and especially on Highway 1, it helps to remember that drivers behind you might be locals in a hurry to get to their workplace or visit a client. They have driven this route a thousand times and know the bends and twists and turns like the back of their hand. Be kind, use your signal, take the next turn-out and let them pass. They often wave at you in gratitude. It is also a good idea to wave a "thank-you" when a camper or slower vehicle ahead of you takes the turn-out to let you pass.
Hope this helps you have a fun journey to and from The Sea Ranch.
Check out The New York Times' "Everything You Need to Know for a Road Trip Up the Coast". Starting at San Francisco head north > Bodega Bay> Mendocino via The Sea Ranch on to Fort Bragg and then back south through Sonoma.
From the North
Directions from North Coast/Fort Bragg/Mendocino Village:
Follow Highway 1 south to Gualala.
Continue south on Highway 1 over the Gualala River bridge, and you are at The Sea Ranch.
At mile marker SOM 57.72 turn into Halcyon, right at Leeward Road and left at Main Sail.
Directions from Anderson Valley/Boonville:
If you wish to follow your GPS directions and feel comfortable driving along curvy one lane roads, you can take the Mountain View Road from Boonville west till you reach Highway 1.
Turn left (south) once you reach Highway 1 and follow it south to Gualala.
Continue south over the Gualala River bridge and you are at The Sea ranch.
At mile marker SOM 57.72 turn left onto Halcyon, right at Leeward Road, and left at Main Sail.
From the South
From the South: Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and South Bay:
Follow your GPS direction to North Highway 101 past the Golden Gate Bridge.
Avoid turning off at Petaluma to drive through Valley Ford Road. This will save you the curvy roads, slow tourist traffic and floods during winter storms. Stay on Highway 101.
Continue north on Highway 101 to Santa Rosa and take River Road/Mark West exit from Highway 101.
Be sure to turn left (west) at the first signal upon turning onto River Road, continue on the overpass (crossing over Highway 101).
You will travel 18.5 miles on River Road as it borders the Russian River, through the redwoods, passing through the town of Guerneville and into Highway 116.
As you continue on Highway 116 towards Jenner, about 6 miles past the town of Duncan Mills you will turn right onto Shoreline Highway 1.
Continue on Shoreline north to The Sea Ranch (31 miles).
At mile marker SOM 57.72 turn left onto Halcyon, right at Leeward Road, and left at Main Sail.
From the East
Directions from Sacramento:
Follow I-80 West to Vallejo, exit Highway 37 West (right lane), past Six Flags/Marine World.
Continue West on Highway 37, past Infineon Raceway. Turn right onto Lakeville Highway.
Follow Lakeville Highway North West to Highway 101.
Continue northward to Santa Rosa and take River Road/Mark West exit from Highway 101.
Be sure to turn left (west) at the first signal upon turning onto River Road, continue over the overpass (crossing over Highway 101),
You will travel 18.5 miles on River Road as it borders the Russian River, through the redwoods, passing through the town of Guerneville and continue on Highway 116.
As you continue on Highway 116 towards Jenner, about 6 miles past the town of Duncan Mills you will turn right onto Shoreline Highway 1.
Continue on Shoreline north to The Sea Ranch (31 miles).
At mile marker SOM 57.72 turn left onto Halcyon, right at Leeward Road, and left at Main Sail.
From Napa/Sonoma
Directions from Napa/Sonoma:
From Highway 29 in the town of Calistoga, turn left onto Petrified Forest Road driving West towards Santa Rosa.
Pass the Petrified Forest Park, turn right onto Mark West Springs Road.
Continue northwest to Santa Rosa and take River Road/Mark West exit from Highway 101.
Be sure to turn left (west) at the first signal upon turning onto River Road, continue over the overpass (crossing over Highway 1o1),
You will travel 18.5 miles on River Road as it borders the Russian River, through the redwoods, passing through the town of Guerneville and continue on Highway 116.
As you continue on Highway 116 towards Jenner, about 6 miles past the town of Duncan Mills you will turn right onto Shoreline Highway 1.
Continue on Shoreline north to The Sea Ranch (31 miles).
At mile marker SOM 57.72 turn left onto Halcyon, right at Leeward Road, and left at Main Sail.
From Healdsburg
Directions from Healdsburg:
OPTION 1 - Shortest, Slow, windy, curvy and single lane for almost 10 miles:
Your GPS will direct you to exit Highway 101 turning west on Dry Creek Road and drive through over 40 miles of windy, curvy and often single lane roads for 12 miles. If you choose to follow your GPS, make sure you fill up gas at the Dry Creek Road exit at 101.
Turn left on Stewarts Point – Skaggs Springs Road (28 miles).
Turn right onto Annapolis Road (Metal Bridge) and follow it to Highway One (15 miles).
You are in the Sea Ranch once you reach Highway 1.
From here, head north on Highway 1 and at mile marker SOM 57.72 turn left onto Halcyon, right at Leeward road, and left at Main Sail.
OPTION 2 - Longer, less windy and speedy traffic:
Continue south on Highway 101 to Santa Rosa and take River Road/Mark West exit from Highway 101.
Be sure to turn right (west) onto River Road towards Guerneville.
You will travel 18.5 miles on River Road as it borders the Russian River, through the redwoods, passing through the town of Guerneville and continue on Highway 116.
As you continue on Highway 116 towards Jenner, about 6 miles past the town of Duncan Mills you will turn right onto Shoreline Highway 1.
Continue on Shoreline north to The Sea Ranch (31 miles).
At mile marker SOM 57.72, turn left onto Halcyon, right at Leeward road, and left at Main Sail.