We left San Diego and headed north up the California Coast. We stayed on scenic Highway 1 as much as possible, and the views were spectacular. We made a short stop at Pacific Dunes, an RV Park set on miles of sandy dunes leading to the Pacific Ocean.
Then, we resumed our drive north, heading to Wine Country. Along the way, we visited the Grey Wolf and Barton Winery, and the following day, we toured Hearst Castle, an amazing property with an interesting story. The luxury is overwhelming, but the most interesting part of the tour was learning about the woman architect responsible for this castle, Julia Morgan. “Arriving in Paris in 1896, she was initially refused admission because the Ecole had never before admitted a woman. After a two-year wait, Julia Morgan gained entrance to the prestigious program and became the first woman to receive a certificate in architecture. While in Paris, Morgan also found a mentor in her professor, Bernard Chaussemiche, for whom she worked as a drafter.” Read more about her at https://hearstcastle.org/history-behind-hearst-castle/historic-people/profiles/julia-morgan/.
San Francisco North /Petaluma
It has been at least ten years since we visited Wine Country, and I noticed some changes. Many wineries now require reservations, and tastings were more expensive than I remembered. We visited several, enjoyed the tastings, and bought some nice wines.
On Day One, we visited Dry Creek Vineyard. This was one of my favorites, and the setting was relaxing and beautiful. We sat in the garden and were served each wine by a knowledgeable host. I did purchase several bottles. The next day, we drove to Bodega Bay, on the coast, for a picnic lunch. We didn’t count on the wind and very cool temperatures, so our picnic was quick! But then we stopped at Sonoma Coast Vineyards Tasting Room, and I liked their wines so much that I did join their club.
On Day Three, we took the train to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and played tourist. The Aquarium was worth the visit!
Then, on Day Four, we had reservations at Buena Vista Winery, another wonderful winery with a large tasting room.
We resumed our drive up the California Coast, which became more beautiful. A quick stop in Greenwood uncovered a true gem: the Elk Store, Greenwood’s Grocery and Deli. This was a true gourmet shop full of delicacies and great sandwiches! We spent a small fortune finding sardines, herrings, and more goodies.
Our trip north then took us through the Redwood Forest, a spectacular drive I will never forget.
Our next stop – Port Orford, Oregon.