# Vines, redwoods and fog coast – by camper through Napa, Sonoma and the Anderson Valley to Mendocino

> Just over 300 kilometres from vineyard to Pacific: haze over the vine rows in the morning, redwoods along Highway 128 at midday, surf beneath the Mendocino…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-075-napa-sonoma-mendocino/

**At a glance:** 6-day road trip of about 250 km (155 mi) with 10 stops, from Sonoma to Fort Bragg. About 2 h 46 min of driving in total. Just over 300 kilometres from vineyard to Pacific: haze over the vine rows in the morning, redwoods along Highway 128 at midday, surf beneath the Mendocino cliffs in the evening.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 250 km (155 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 46 min |
| Suggested days | 6 |
| Stops | 10 |
| Route | Sonoma → Fort Bragg |
| States | CA |
| Updated | September 1, 2026 |

*Just over 300 kilometres from vineyard to Pacific: haze over the vine rows in the morning, redwoods along Highway 128 at midday, surf beneath the Mendocino cliffs in the evening.*

## The spirit of the route

In the Napa Valley the day begins with ground fog lifting between the vine rows and with the smell of mown grass and ripe grapes when the harvest is under way in September and October. From the sliding door you see rows of cypress, old stone wineries and hot-air balloons in the first light. Beyond Healdsburg the landscape turns rougher: Highway 128 winds through the Anderson Valley, where apple orchards and Pinot Noir vines lie between oaks and redwoods and the local dialect Boontling still echoes in Boonville. Then the valley tips towards the sea, and beyond the coastal redwoods Mendocino appears: wooden houses with water towers on cliffs, cold wind, kelp in the air. The route rewards those who drive after the tasting hours rather than before, who start early and who book pitches in advance.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Sonoma to Yountville (approx. 40 km)

- **The drive:** From Sonoma take Highways 12 and 121 through the Carneros area to Napa, then Highway 29 north to Yountville. Mostly two to four lanes, flat, few bends; at weekends and during the harvest traffic backs up between Napa and Yountville. Pure driving time is about an hour, a full day with stops. Petrol stations and supermarkets are plentiful in Sonoma and Napa.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Sonoma Plaza: one of the largest town squares in California, with Mission San Francisco Solano, the Bear Flag Monument and cafés; the old town is easy to explore on foot. Motorhomes park at the edge, so check garage heights beforehand.
  - Jack London State Historic Park near Glen Ellen: the ruins of the house, a museum and trails through oak woodland above the Sonoma Valley; check admission and opening hours with California State Parks beforehand.
  - Oxbow Public Market and the riverfront promenade in Napa: a market hall with cheese, oysters and coffee, plus the Napa River Trail for a short walk.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** For the first nights Bothe-Napa Valley State Park between St. Helena and Calistoga is a good choice (see stage 2); to the south there is Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa with simple pitches on the hillside – check vehicle length and status with the operator beforehand. In Sonoma County, Spring Lake Regional Park near Santa Rosa offers pitches with hook-ups and a dump station (check length limit and hook-ups when booking).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Napa and Sonoma valleys, overnighting in your vehicle on streets and in vineyard car parks is not allowed. If you want to park up for free, use membership programmes such as Harvest Hosts, where individual wineries take campers for one night; the hosts’ rules (advance notice, wine purchase, maximum length) are binding.
- **Insider tip for campers:** During the harvest (September to October) wine and harvest traffic are packed together; with the camper drive early, limit tastings to a few estates and then leave the vehicle parked: in California the alcohol limits also apply to motorhomes, and an open container in the vehicle is prohibited. Taxis and shuttles usually collect guests from the campgrounds.

### Stage 2: Yountville to Calistoga (approx. 40 km)

- **The drive:** Take Highway 29 through Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena to Calistoga; the quieter Silverado Trail, with fewer traffic lights, runs parallel. Both roads are well built but busy: in the town of St. Helena it is stop-and-go. Pure driving time is about 50 minutes, easily a full day with stops and tasting appointments. Fuel and shopping in St. Helena and Calistoga.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Robert Louis Stevenson State Park on Mount St. Helena: hike along the fire road to the summit (about 5 miles one way, 700 m of ascent) with views as far as the Sierra Nevada; check the weather and fire situation before setting out.
  - Calistoga: a spa town with thermal and mud baths; the main street is easy to explore on foot. The bathhouses are privately run, so ask about times and prices beforehand.
  - Silverado Trail: instead of Highway 29 we recommend this route along the eastern slopes with views over the vine rows; stop for photos only in winery car parks.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Bothe-Napa Valley State Park on the boundary between St. Helena and Calistoga: pitches under oaks and Douglas firs, drinking water and coin showers, but no dump station and no hook-ups; according to State Parks, motorhomes up to 31 ft (about 9.4 m) and trailers up to 24 ft (about 7.3 m); check details with ReserveCalifornia before booking. In Calistoga the Napa County Fairgrounds has an RV area with hook-ups (check status beforehand; occupied during events). State Parks reservations open up to six months in advance; book early for the harvest.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Free camping is not possible in the valley. The nearest legal areas are BLM land near Ukiah (Cow Mountain Recreation Area) and Mendocino National Forest further north: narrow, steep access roads, fire bans and closures in summer, mostly unsuitable for large vehicles. Check the status with the Bureau of Land Management beforehand.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Sort out fresh water and a dump station beforehand at a private RV park in Napa or Calistoga, because Bothe-Napa has no dump station; this applies above all before heading into the mountains. Drive through St. Helena’s main street in the morning; at midday and at weekends it is jammed, and there are hardly any large car parks. The Silverado Trail has almost no hard shoulder; watch out for cyclists.

### Stage 3: Calistoga to Healdsburg (approx. 50 km)

- **The drive:** From Calistoga take Highway 128 through Knights Valley and the Alexander Valley to Geyserville and Healdsburg. The road is two-lane, winds over the pass and has short climbs; large motorhomes need patience, as overtaking opportunities are rare. Alternatively, Petrified Forest Road leads to Santa Rosa, but it is narrow and not suitable for long vehicles. Pure driving time is about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Alexander Valley: a broad valley with vine rows along the Russian River; short walks are possible at several wineries. Ask about motorhome parking beforehand.
  - Healdsburg Plaza: the square in the town centre with wine bars, bakeries and a weekly market (check dates in advance); explore on foot.
  - Lake Sonoma Recreation Area: an Army Corps of Engineers reservoir near Geyserville with trails, swimming spots and tent sites; the Overlook visitor centre has a view across the lake.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Lake Sonoma Recreation Area (Army Corps of Engineers): Liberty Glen Campground without direct lake access (about 1 mile on foot to the shore), with pitches without hook-ups, drinking water and showers; many pitches are small for long vehicles, so check vehicle length and status on Recreation.gov. Alternatively Spring Lake Regional Park near Santa Rosa (Sonoma County Regional Parks).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Alexander Valley and around Healdsburg, overnighting outside designated sites is not allowed; wineries with Harvest Hosts agreements are the only legal free-camping option. Overnight parking in Healdsburg is monitored.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Healdsburg is a good place to stock up: supermarkets, petrol stations and launderettes before you head into the more thinly populated Anderson Valley. In late summer do not set out along Highway 128 between Geyserville and Cloverdale without a full tank, as petrol stations are rare and expensive afterwards. After the harvest, from October, the vines turn red and yellow.

### Stage 4: Healdsburg to Boonville (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** First take US-101 north to Cloverdale, then Highway 128 west: the road climbs from the coastal plain into the mountains, twists over Yorkville and drops into the Anderson Valley. Two-lane, tight bends, in places without a hard shoulder, with 35–45 mph advisory signs. Mobile reception is patchy. Pure driving time is just under 2 hours. Petrol station in Cloverdale and Boonville, nothing in between.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Anderson Valley near Philo and Boonville: Pinot Noir, sparkling wine and apple orchards; wineries along the main road invite short visits. Boonville is known for Boontling, the local dialect from around 1900.
  - Hendy Woods State Park near Philo: Hendy Woods has two groves of old redwoods (Big Hendy and Little Hendy), short loop trails of 0.5 to 1 mile, with ferns and oxalis on the ground.
  - Mendocino apple stands and farm shops along the road (season September and October): apples, juice and honey, best shortly before sunset.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Hendy Woods State Park near Philo: Azalea Glen campground under redwoods with drinking water, showers and a dump station; check the length limit and access for motorhomes with ReserveCalifornia beforehand; there are no hook-ups. There are only a few other sites in the Anderson Valley itself: in Navarro River Redwoods State Park (Hwy 128) there are small, simple sites (Paul M. Dimmick Campground) for short vehicles.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Dispersed camping is practically impossible in the Anderson Valley: private land and wineries dominate. In Mendocino National Forest (further east) and Cow Mountain Recreation Area near Ukiah (BLM) there are simple sites and dispersed camping; access roads are steep and narrow, so check the status.
- **Insider tip for campers:** On Highway 128 between Cloverdale and Boonville, trailers and long motorhomes are slowed down: pull well over to the side at free pull-outs, and select a lower gear downhill. If you want to avoid the route, you can take Highway 101 to Ukiah and then Highway 253 to Boonville; this road, too, is narrow and winding.

### Stage 5: Boonville to Mendocino (approx. 75 km)

- **The drive:** From Boonville via Philo and Navarro take Highway 128 down to the sea; at Albion it joins Highway 1, which leads north to Mendocino. On the way through Navarro River Redwoods State Park you drive through dense redwood forest; the road is narrow and shady, in places without a centre line. After that the coast opens up with cliffs, bridges and pastures. Pure driving time is about 1 hour 30 minutes. Mobile reception drops out in the valley.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Navarro River Redwoods State Park: a road in the shade of the redwoods, with stops at the pull-outs; swimming spots on the river only when the water level is safe.
  - Mendocino Headlands State Park: cliffs, sea stacks and trails around the town; Mendocino itself looks like a New England settlement with wooden façades and water towers.
  - Point Cabrillo Light Station (State Historic Park) near Mendocino: a lighthouse from 1909 with a view of the sea, whale watching in winter; check opening hours before visiting.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Russian Gulch State Park near Mendocino: pitches in the forest and by the gorge, showers, very tight vehicle length limit (24 ft, about 7.3 m, according to State Parks; season roughly April to October). Van Damme State Park in Little River: pitches in spruce forest, motorhomes up to about 35 ft (the lower pitches are easier to reach), drinking water and showers. Check the current status for both before booking; reservations up to six months in advance, quickly booked up in high season.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On the coast the rule is: no overnighting in car parks and on streets in Mendocino and Little River. Jackson Demonstration State Forest near Fort Bragg allows camping only at designated sites with a permit; check the conditions with Cal Fire beforehand.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Mendocino is small and the streets are narrow: leave the vehicle at the campground and go into town by bike or on foot. Car parks on the edge of town are often too short for motorhomes. Whale watching from the cliffs December to April, fog is frequent in summer.

### Stage 6: Mendocino to Fort Bragg and back (approx. 40 km)

- **The drive:** Take Highway 1 north from Mendocino to Fort Bragg (about 20 minutes), with a detour to the dunes and cliffs of MacKerricher State Park. A straight, well-built two-lane road. Highway 1 between Fort Bragg and Leggett is not recommended for long vehicles in places; if you want to continue north, get information from Caltrans beforehand.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Glass Beach in Fort Bragg (MacKerricher State Park): a beach with smoothed pieces of glass from a former dump; stones and glass stay where they are, and taking them is prohibited.
  - Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens: coastal gardens with rhododendrons, dahlias and a clifftop path; check opening hours and admission beforehand.
  - Skunk Train in Fort Bragg: a heritage railway from Fort Bragg: the Pudding Creek Express (about 7 miles) runs all year, other trips and rail bikes seasonally; check the timetable and operating status beforehand.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** MacKerricher State Park north of Fort Bragg: pitches behind the dunes, showers, dump station and drinking water; check vehicle lengths with ReserveCalifornia before booking. Sonoma Coast State Park and Salt Point State Park lie to the south. In summer, book months ahead.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On the Mendocino coast free camping is prohibited, and overnighting in car parks is policed by the sheriff and rangers. Jackson Demonstration State Forest and the BLM land inland are the alternatives, with conditions.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Before the drive back, fill up with fresh water and empty at the dump station; Fort Bragg has supermarkets and launderettes. If you are returning south, take Highway 1 to Point Arena or US-101 via Willits; the mountain stretch is winding, and the drive to San Francisco takes about 3 to 4 hours.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Wild camping is restricted in California outside designated sites: in Napa and Sonoma counties an overnight ban applies on streets, in car parks and at wineries, and on the coast rangers, the sheriff and the city police patrol. Fines run to three figures in dollars.
- Dispersed camping is allowed on National Forest and BLM land, usually for up to 14 days; in this region more likely inland (Mendocino National Forest, Cow Mountain near Ukiah) and subject to fire regulations. Restrictions apply to gas flames and fires in the wildfire season, and a California Campfire Permit may be needed; check bans and closures with Cal Fire and the relevant forest authority before departure.
- Harvest Hosts and similar programmes allow overnighting at wineries and farms for a membership fee; advance notice and the host’s rules are mandatory.
- Many supermarket car parks prohibit overnighting; ask beforehand. Caltrans rest areas allow only limited parking, no camping.
- Wildlife: black bears are rare, mountain lions and rattlesnakes live in the hills; lock food in the vehicle at night, use bear-proof bins. Poison oak is common along trails.
- Useful apps: iOverlander, Campendium, The Dyrt, plus Recreation.gov for federal land and ReserveCalifornia for State Parks (booking up to six months in advance). Road conditions via Caltrans QuickMap, fire reports from Cal Fire.
- If you cannot get a pitch, switch to county parks (Spring Lake, Doran near Bodega Bay), private RV parks in Napa, Calistoga or Fort Bragg, or walk-in sites; reception can often tell you about short-notice vacancies.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Dump stations are available in many State Parks (Hendy Woods, MacKerricher; Bothe-Napa Valley has none) and at private RV parks; sanidumps.com and the apps list them, and at petrol stations they usually charge a fee.
- Tap water in California is drinkable; in wine country and at some State Parks the fresh-water points are at the entrance, and a drinking-water-grade hose is worthwhile. Filter stream water before drinking.
- Never discharge grey water onto the ground; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations. Electricity: hook-ups only on individual pitches (Spring Lake, fairgrounds), usually 30 or 50 A.
- Propane at petrol stations, DIY stores and gas dealers in Napa, Santa Rosa, Ukiah and Fort Bragg. European gas cylinders are usually not refilled, and rental motorhomes have US tanks.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Sonoma, Napa, St. Helena, Healdsburg, Ukiah and Fort Bragg; in the Anderson Valley and in Mendocino the shops are small and expensive.
- Fuel: petrol stations in Napa, St. Helena, Calistoga, Healdsburg, Cloverdale, Boonville and Fort Bragg; between Boonville and the coast there are hardly any stations.
- Laundry and rubbish: coin launderettes in Napa, Healdsburg, Ukiah and Fort Bragg; campgrounds have containers with recycling, some wildlife-proof.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits in mph: highways mostly 55 to 65, in towns 25 to 35; with a trailer the maximum under CVC 22406 is 55 mph. Slow vehicles must pull over under CVC 21656 once five or more vehicles are following.
- Tolls and fees: there are no tolls on the route; the Golden Gate Bridge charges only southbound, electronically. Day-use fees in State Parks are mostly 5 to 10 USD per vehicle, camping prices vary by region; check current amounts beforehand.
- Dimensions and lengths: many State Park pitches are limited to about 27 to 35 ft, some shorter still; check length details with ReserveCalifornia and Recreation.gov before booking. Maximum height 14 ft (4.27 m); multi-storey car parks in Sonoma, Napa and Healdsburg have limits of around 2 m.
- Reservations: State Parks up to six months in advance via ReserveCalifornia, Army Corps and Forest Service via Recreation.gov. During the harvest in September and October and in high summer on the coast, pitches are often booked weeks ahead.
- Alcohol and driving: California has strict blood-alcohol limits and the open-container rule; tasting hours only with a driver who has not been drinking, a taxi or a shuttle. Turning right on red is permitted after stopping where no sign prohibits it.
- Wildfire: fire season roughly July to November; smoke, closures and power cuts (Public Safety Power Shutoffs) are possible. Before departure check Cal Fire, Caltrans QuickMap and the relevant campground page.
- Campsite rules: quiet hours usually 10 pm to 6 am, generators only at set times, fires only in fire rings; alcohol is often banned on beaches. Vehicle and trailer length are checked on arrival.
- Emergency: 911. Mobile reception drops out in the Anderson Valley and on Highway 128; use an offline map and a paper map. Watch for ticks, poison oak and rattlesnakes in the hills, and never turn your back on the sea on the beach (sneaker waves).

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Offline maps and a paper map – on Highway 128 and on the Mendocino coast mobile reception fails over large areas.
- Windproof jacket and warm layers: on the coast summer temperatures are 14–16 °C, inland over 30 °C – layering saves the stages.
- Drinking-water-grade hose with pressure reducer and a 20-litre canister for pitches without a connection.
- Levelling ramps for sloping pitches on hillsides and in the redwoods, plus stabiliser jacks for rocking on soft sandy ground.
- Binoculars for grey whales from December to April, harbour seals and birds of prey in the Anderson Valley.
- Small change and 1-dollar bills for coin showers, dump stations and parking meters.

_As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Sonoma** (CA)
2. **Napa** (CA)
3. **Yountville** (CA)
4. **St. Helena** (CA)
5. **Calistoga** (CA)
6. **Healdsburg** (CA)
7. **Boonville** (CA)
8. **Philo** (CA)
9. **Mendocino** (CA)
10. **Fort Bragg** (CA)

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually April–June and August–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Vines, redwoods and fog coast – by camper through Napa, Sonoma and the Anderson Valley to Mendocino?**
6-day road trip of about 250 km (155 mi) with 10 stops, from Sonoma to Fort Bragg. About 2 h 46 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Vines, redwoods and fog coast – by camper through Napa, Sonoma and the Anderson Valley to Mendocino?**
We suggest 6 days: about 2 h 46 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Vines, redwoods and fog coast – by camper through Napa, Sonoma and the Anderson Valley to Mendocino start and end?**
It starts in Sonoma and ends in Fort Bragg.

**Which states does Vines, redwoods and fog coast – by camper through Napa, Sonoma and the Anderson Valley to Mendocino pass through?**
California.

**Where can you camp along Vines, redwoods and fog coast – by camper through Napa, Sonoma and the Anderson Valley to Mendocino?**
OpenStreetMap lists 95 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: AutoCamp Sonoma, Enroute Camping and Casini Ranch Family Campground.

**When is the best time for Vines, redwoods and fog coast – by camper through Napa, Sonoma and the Anderson Valley to Mendocino?**
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and August–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)