I don't know how you made it from SJ to Ukiah in 2 hours. I live in Healdsburg and drive to Ukiah every two weeks for work. It's 45 minutes from my house, and my house is 1 hour and 15 minutes from Oakland. Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but budget your time accordingly. I think SJ to Ukiah is closer to 2 hours and 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

-Brian

 

880 -> Richmond bridge -> 101 and up. I was driving up on Sunday afternoons, so basically no traffic. Coming back to SJ on Friday afternoon could easily be 3-4hrs though, depending on the maze.

 

Yeah, I was planning on it being 4 hours.

$34.95 for adults for the aquarium, guys. Monterey Bay Aquarium :: Ticket Selection

I would like to check it out NOT alone. I think it would be kinda creeper to go alone, but if I have to then I have to. I might have someone to go with if my buddy's wife's family is there and not busy... I'll letcha know.

 

That's pretty damn quick. At 160 miles, you'd be averaging roughly 80 mph which is tough to do. You must have been flying.

Back on topic, you should definitely hit up the Mendocino Brewing Co. tasting room in Ukiah. It's tucked back off the street in a retail shopping center on Airport Park Blvd. a stone's throw from the brewery.

-Brian

 

Anderson Valley brewing co is worth a stop too.

https://avbc.com/

 

Agreed. Definitely worth a stop if you've got a bit of extra time. Plus, the drive from 101 to Boonville is amazing, as is the drive from Boonville to Ukiah.

Cloverdale, CA to Ukiah, CA - Google Maps

-Brian

 

Sounds about right, but might have been 2hrs 20min Even with the speed limits in that area as you approach through the 2 lane hilly areas where the wineries area and the super slow speeds in Hopland.

There's a decent Mexican place in the same shopping center as the Mendo Brewery storefront too - Mi Pueblito. Ukiah Brewery downtown also has some great brew and food too. My favorite place in town was Oco Time though, whether you like sushi or not.

Another favorite place for lunch around there - The Bluebird Cafe in Hopland. Good burgers, great pie.

 

What's your guy's input on driving along the coast? I definitely want to do some coastal driving. I'm just not sure for how long I want to commit and where to start. I was thinking from Ukiah to Monterey. Or I could start further north before reaching Ukiah, then make it a straight shot from Ukiah to Monterey. Or I could start in SF, dart to the coast and cruise that to Monterey.

Any preferences for "most bang for the buck" routes?

Breweries sound delicious.

 

Just a reminder that I'll be down in Ukiah next Wednesday, May 8th for the day, then I'm heading down to Monterey later Wednesday and plan on spending the night and hanging out Thursday, May 9th all day. If I love it there I might chill for most of the day on Friday, May 10th before I have to head back to Ukiah for my family reunion on Saturday, May 11th. If anyone in Ukiah is down to meet on Friday night, that would be cool. I'll most likely leave Ukiah Sunday late afternoon to head to San Diego and try to get there Sunday night.