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Directions to Mendocino Coast
Alternatives for Reaching Mendocino, CA
From the San Francisco Bay Area
Fast, Slow and Scenic, or Both
Please read Part 1: Introduction to redwood and Mendocino scenic drive, if you haven’t done so.
In this section, you'll travel from the Bay Area to the Mendocino coast. You have a choice of routes based on time available and interests.
For the route that best combines scenery and speed, you'll find precise and easy-to-follow directions from San Francisco to Mendocino.
Alternative routes to Mendocino
You have several alternative routes to reach the Mendocino coast from San Francisco:
- The U.S. 101 freeway and then Highway 128 to Highway 1 north
This takes about 3 hours from the Golden Gate Bridge to the town of Mendocino and Van Damme State Park and maximizes your time on the Mendocino coast.
Although you travel several miles through a redwood preserve, this is the least scenic of the routes. However, you should find it quite enjoyable during the late winter and spring when the hills are green and apple and other trees are in bloom.
- Scenic Highway 1 all the way
At its best, Highway 1 takes some 4 and 1/2 hours without stops from the Golden Gate Bridge. But, this is very optimistic.
Summer fog can really slow you down and hide your views. Moreover, the often twisting and narrow road doesn't easily give you the option to pass slower vehicles.
Although the middle portion of this drive is less scenic, Highway 1 all the way may be the way to go if you have a full day to explore. Add more time if you want to do Point Reyes National Seashore in depth.
If you have just 3 days for the entire redwoods and Mendocino scenic drive, don't use this option.
- U.S. 101 to Ukiah and then Orr Springs Road to Highway 1
This takes around 4 hours without stops and is described in detail below.
You'll avoid the possible fog and traffic of Highway 1, while still enjoying a scenic crossing of the coastal range.
Because a portion is very narrow and winding (but still paved), extremely timid drivers shouldn't use Orr Springs Road. Use option 2 instead.
- A hybrid route
The hybrid route uses Highway 1 for a Marin County scenic drive and then either option #1 or #3 from Santa Rosa to the Mendocino coast.
To do this right, devote a full day in Marin County to visit Point Reyes National Seashore, Mount Tamalpais State Park, etc., and then part of the second morning from Santa Rosa or Ukiah to Mendocino.
If you're going to use route #1 or #2, skip to the Mendocino scenic drive. You'll be arriving at Van Damme State Park, near the town of Mendocino, from the south.
Otherwise, learn more about route #3 below, which is not so heavily traveled.
Option No. 3
Northbound from San Francisco and Santa Rosa
Via Orr Springs Road
From the Golden Gate Bridge take the U.S. 101 freeway north.
This is also called the Redwood Highway, and takes about 50 minutes outside of afternoon rush hour to Santa Rosa.
Travelers from the Marin County scenic drive join you in Santa Rosa, the northernmost extent of Spanish settlement along coastal California.
Or, start your drive here. Santa Rosa's Charles M. Schulz (yes, the creator of "Charlie Brown" and "Snoopy") Sonoma County Airport has the closest scheduled air service to Mendocino.
Santa Rosa's "Luther Burbank Rose Parade," held each May, begun within 4 years of the one in Pasadena. Hundreds of plants and trees still commonly cultivated today originated with Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa, including the Burbank rose, the Freestone peach, and the potato used to make McDonald's french fries. The local climate is idyllic for farming.
North to Healdsburg
From Santa Rosa, drive north on 101 toward Healdsburg.
As you approach the Healdsburg city center, take the Healdsburg Avenue - Old Redwood Highway exit off of 101.
Continue generally north—in the same direction as U.S. 101—at the end of the off ramp.
That puts you on Healdsburg Avenue.
Continue until you reach Plaza Park on your right downtown.
Historic Healdsburg has become quite the “in” wine country town, with the Plaza at its center. The Plaza area makes a nice brief stop.
The charming streets around the Plaza provide a fine venue to grab a gourmet snack, provision a picnic, or dine on a fine meal.
In fact, although we haven’t had a chance to try it, Food and Wine Magazine called Cyrus, at 29 North Street, a block from the Plaza, the best new restaurant in the Wine Country. It joins the Dry Creek Kitchen on the Plaza and others in turning Healdsburg into an important culinary center.
North to Ukiah
Continue north on Healdsburg Avenue, the old redwood highway, to Dry Creek Road, the first major intersection.
Turn left onto Dry Creek Road.
When you reach the U.S. 101 “Redwood Highway” freeway, take the northbound onramp toward Eureka.
Continue north on the U.S. 101 freeway.
Your trip continues to take you through a portion of the wine country.
You’ll frequently follow the Russian River, named after Russian fur dealers from Fort Ross on the coast who traded with Native Americans in this area. It’s strange to think that czarist Russians once claimed and settled in this area.
Continue north on U.S. 101.
Ukiah
Once in Ukiah, take the Vichy Springs Road/Perkins Street exit off of 101.
At the end of the off-ramp, turn left.
Drive Perkins Street westbound until State Street (Business 101).
Turn right onto North State Street, the main street of Ukiah.
Make sure that you have ample gas in your vehicle. After Ukiah, you’ll find no gas or food available until you reach the coast. Also, if you got a late start, Ukiah offers a nice selection of motor inns and chain motels.
Continue north along State Street.
After going under the U.S. 101 freeway overpass, turn left onto Orr Springs Road.
Orr Springs Road
Do not take the first portion of Orr Springs Road after dark or during heavy rain. In these cases, you're better off using Highway 128 to the coast from 101.
There’s good news and bad news about this road.
The good: Orr Springs Road is paved all the way, nearly free of traffic, and very scenic to drive. Its grades are not grossly steep.
You’ll completely transcend the tourist-dominated areas of California. Even the smell of California laurel uplifts as you drive.
The bad: The first few miles involve real mountain driving. This winding road in several places becomes too narrow for vehicles going in opposite directions to pass. There are several narrow blind curves where you must slow and then honk your horn to warn any oncoming drivers.
Because it’s much easier to control a runaway vehicle in forward gear with a view ahead, instead of via the rearview mirrors while in reverse gear, the law states that you must back up a hill if you encounter an oncoming vehicle when the road is too narrow to share.
Remember this rule as you drive the first portion of Orr Springs Road.
Orr Hot Springs
Quickly, Orr Springs Road becomes easier to drive and you reach Orr Hot Springs spa and resort, an optional stop.
This very rustic clothing-optional spa set in simple gardens and woods offers day passes and overnight tent and cabin accommodation.
Call 1 707 462-6277 to book day or night visits and to confirm opening times. Although the springs has no website, this link tells more about it.
Orr Springs is the most northerly natural warm springs along the California coast.
Montgomery Woods State Preserve
Less than a mile beyond Orr Hot Springs, Montgomery Woods State Preserve has old growth redwoods and ferns set in the bed of a former lake. On most days, you can walk an approximately 2-mile loop trail or picnic here and not encounter many people or perhaps none at all.
If going on to the redwood parks portion of this drive, skip this stop to save time. You'll see bigger trees later on.
Otherwise, as you drive west, watch for a dirt parking lot on your left to access the preserve. In case of standing water in this rather flat preserve, bring mosquito repellent.
You'll find a loop trail and picnic tables.
Because you’ve already crested the coast range before reaching Orr Hot Springs, there’s more winter rainfall and thus more lush vegetation. Quickly, you descend to the coast.
Just keep going in the same general direction.
Orr Springs Road changes its name to Comptche-Ukiah Road.
Mendocino Coast
Your first view of the Mendocino coastline is beautiful. You’ll see immediately why Mendocino is so special.
Orr Springs Road, now called Comptche-Ukiah Road, ends at Highway 1.
Carefully turn left onto southbound Highway 1.
Go on to Part 3: Mendocino coast scenic drive, and continue your redwoods and Mendocino scenic drive!
Part 1: Redwood and Mendocino scenic drive introduction,
Part 2: Directions from San Francisco to Mendocino,
Part 3: Mendocino scenic drive,
Part 4: Avenue of the Giants scenic drive,
Part 5: Avenue of the Giants scenic drive (continued),
Part 6: Scenic drive from Avenue of the Giants to Arcata,
Part 7: Arcata travel guide – what to do,
Part 8: Humboldt and Mendocino counties in depth,
Part 9: Scenic drive from Arcata to Redwood National Park,
Part 10: From Redwood National Park to San Francisco,
Part 11: Motels and hotels along your redwood scenic drive,
Part 12: Camping along your redwood scenic drive, and
Part 13: Mendocino and Redwood parks airport choices.
