Northern California vacation information needed....

If you do make it to Santa Rosa, check at Flavor Bistro and enjoy all the Moonlight beers they have to offer, they won't disappoint. It's just down the street from Russian River. Also get all your bottle needs at Bottle Barn...good selection, and great prices.

Good luck if you make it to Toronado. If you do a search on this site, you'll get answers on why it's not a 'fan favorite'.

Hope you have a great time. I'm sure others will have great suggestions as well.

 

+1 to Flavor Bistro & Bottle Barn. I'll be working at a new taproom & bottleshop by then in Roseville, but I'm not sure if we'll have anything you'd be searching for on tap/bottle (just because I haven't started yet).

I'm definitely interested in the Sanctification B3. I have a regular trading partner wanting one. I'll send you a BM.

 

Oh, and if you happen to be going through Davis, the Davis Beer Shoppe is a must! Taylor is awesome!

 

You didnt mention what route you are taking. Thats important as Santa Rosa isn't really near 'the redwoods', rather 3-4 hours south. And the City is 2 hours south of that.

Anyway...in SR AREA must visit breweries are Russian River (Pliny, etc), Lagunitas in Petaluma (more well known brews) and Bear Republic in Healdsburg. These will give you an in depth introduction to West Coast hoppiness. further north try Eel River Brewery in Fortuna/Scotia (a few miles north of Humboldt redwoods park and located in a lil logging town. They specialize in organic beer. Then further north in Eureka go to Lost Coast Brewery (Tangerine Wheat is my fave and Raspberry Brown is really good too. Plus they have other well known beers).

 

I am pretty familiar with the Humboldt area, my favorite spots there are Mad River Brewing in Blue Lake (small tap room with nice outside seating if the weather is good, and I think the best beer in the area too) and Eel River in Fortuna. (good beer and very good food) Some other places...

Six Rivers in McKinnleyville - decent, I like their food, but the beer is hit and miss.
Lost Coast in Eureka - is pretty cool, but it can be REALLY crowded there.
Redwood Curtain in Arcata - tiny tasting room with some interesting beers.

Humboldt Brews in Arcata is a pub with about 20 taps and good food. And the Co-op in Arcata is the best place I've found to grab bottles.

In you want any other insight into the area let me know, I have family that lives there, and I make it over pretty regularly. Cheers!

 

What's your timeline like? Boise to SF is a haul.

As far as camping goes, be warned that some of the nicer spots (particularly State Parks) fill up quickly this time of year, especially weekends.

I think if you want North Coast/Redwoods/Beer-Fort Bragg (North Coast Brewing) has to be on the itinerary. You could take Highway 128 from Ft. Bragg through Boonville (Anderson Valley Brewing) which is a gorgeous drive and puts you a little North of Santa Rosa on 101.

 

I concur big time, how about Bear Republic in Healdsburg too

 

I'm confused about what you said about August, "word on the street" is that you can't go in August, or that it's not happening in August? Because Toronado's anniversary is definitely in early August.

 

Okay, I see, then you'll likely miss it. Also, if your only reason to go to Toronado is to get CC I wouldn't bother, based on what I'm hearing it seems like they won't sell it to anyone at this point. YMMV, of course, if you go with someone who knows the staff you may have better luck.

 

I did a road trip from So Cal to Portland last year. My one must stop would be Brewers Union Local 180, it's about a half hour off the I5, in Oakridge. They brew cask only, it's a real public house (i never knew what that meant until i went here), the food was great. It was truly a unique place, when so many of the beer bars and breweries can start to feel pretty similar after a while.

 

Hey Toby,

Sounds like a fun trip for you. I'm in Oakland for work all summer, so if you happen to decide to pop over to Beer Revolution or the Trappist, shoot me a message if you want to try to meet up for a beer. My lady's coming out for a trip with me too, but it won't be until mid August and will mostly center around the Santa Rosa/Sonoma area. Cheers and enjoy yourself!