NorCal filter: interesting rest stops 101N from Bay Area to Willits

December 23, 2024 1:23 PM

Looking for recommendations for brief stops not far off the highway that are interesting, unexpected, or just authentically showcase the local vibe for non-Instagrammers.

Later this week my partner and I are driving north from the Bay Area to Willits area for an overdue and eagerly anticipated getaway, and will likely make 2-3 brief stops along the way. We're familiar with the 101N up to about Santa Rosa but less so north of there (though ideas for stops south of Santa Rosa are welcome too). Not looking for typical explicit "sightseeing", but a nice quiet scene, a quick bite, or something that gives the flair of the local culture, economy, or is otherwise memorable. Heck, it could be a thoughtfully apportioned lavatory for what it's worth. Thanks!

posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only to Travel & Transportation around Willits, CA (9 answers total)

Best answer: Healdsburg is very nice and would be my first stop. It is fancified California / Sonoma wine country, so not the place for quirky authenticity.

I kind of like the town of Ukiah but I'd be hard pressed to recommend anything there. That'll be more quirky authentic.

The Boonville Hotel. is worth a detour for lunch but check the schedule before going. I've never driven the tiny CA-253 that connects Boonville to 101 going north but it looks like the kind of road you want good weather for.
posted by Nelson at 2:52 PM on December 23, 2024 [1 favorite]

Best answer: In Cloverdale, there is a great little coffee shop called Plank that has good coffee, nice baked goods, and simple lunches. And a nice clean bathroom.
posted by niicholas at 3:24 PM on December 23, 2024

Diavola in Geyserville has wonderful pizza and pasta.
posted by missmobtown at 4:31 PM on December 23, 2024

Not necessarily a place to stop but perhaps it will give you a smile to remember that Ukiah is haiku spelled backwards.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 6:32 PM on December 23, 2024

Best answer: Our two regular taco places on that route have been Taqueria Santa Rosa and Taqueria Jalos, if that counts as a good reason to stop. Hopland is an interesting little one-street town.
posted by migurski at 9:41 PM on December 23, 2024 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Kemmy’s Pies in Willets was a nice experience and you can opt for tasting sized bits of pie. It’s right near the Skunk Railroad.
posted by childofTethys at 6:33 AM on December 25, 2024

The Barlow in Sebastopol is a cluster of shops/restaurants, less quirky and more “wine country” if you get my drift, but has a really good Mexican food stall (used to be called the Barrio but has a new name that escapes me) and a spot called The Farmer’s Wife that is expensive for a lunch ($40/person) but has grilled cheese melts that I’m still thinking about. Also, you’ll be walking distance from Sebastopol’s main street. It’s not the right time of year for it, but Screaming Mimi’s has the best ice cream.
posted by Eikonaut at 8:02 AM on December 25, 2024

There's a gas station made out of a redwood tree in Ukiah which is the single most raw representation I've ever seen of the American West ideal to conquer nature.
posted by simonw at 8:29 PM on December 29, 2024

Response by poster: Thanks to all for the recommendations. We were very glad to have stopped at Plank on the way up; the espresso is *excellent*, the space has a great vibe, and the brief walk around Cloverdale was delightful. Some excellent sculpture is found right on the main drag.

Another welcome discovery was Belfare in Petaluma. Fresh delicious food and amaaaaaazing hot sauce.
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 12:50 PM on December 31, 2024 [1 favorite]