NorCal trip advice

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by pjeagles, Apr 18, 2021.

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  1. pjeagles

    pjeagles Zealot (682) May 29, 2005 New Mexico
    Trader

    Will be driving from Grant's Pass, OR down through northern California and flying out of SFO. Any tips on breweries between the OR/CA border and Auburn-already plan on hitting ones there, but am basically clueless on what's north of there. Probably driving down I-5 but don't necessarily have to, have time to take 101 if need be. Of course I know about Sierra Nevada, but would appreciate any advice on other places. I like em all- hazies, sours, stouts, etc.
    Also, if anyone has any paddleboarding recommendations in the region, please feel free to chime in. Thanks BAs.
     
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  2. AndresR

    AndresR Pundit (832) Jul 19, 2009 California
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    Depends on your time in SF, you can hit Cellarmaker, and grab a bunch of cans.

    Russian River is off the 101. I hear they make IPAs.

    If you are coming in to SF by way of the East Bay, you should stop at Faction Brewing, in Alameda, for an hour or 2. Great beer and the best view of any brewery in the Bay Area.
     
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  3. LetsTalkAboutRex

    LetsTalkAboutRex Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2021

    Lost Coast Brewery, in Eureka, Ca
     
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  4. pinballplayer

    pinballplayer Maven (1,487) Jul 2, 2014 California
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    Redwood Curtain in Arcata was the highlight for us a few years ago. They also had a seafood truck out back making some great eats.
     
  5. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Port-o-pints in crescent city, redwood curtain in arcata or eureka, eel river brewing in fortuna, CA.

    Also, worthwhile bars in norcal include Bigfoot taproom in McKinley ville, dead reckoning, bittersweet, or humbrews in arcata. The chief in laytonville is also a special emerald triangle gem for lunch. Ukiah brewing is decent, hopland has some OK bars but focus more on wine.

    Henhouse, fogbelt, and cooperage in Santa Rosa. And of course Russian River.

    Lots of good options, if you come to some more specific itinerary coming through the crescent city - ukiah stretch I'm happy to offer specific tips for what you're into
     
  6. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you opt for 101 I'll add another vote for Redwood Curtain.
     
  7. kaseydad

    kaseydad Pooh-Bah (1,924) Nov 23, 2008 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Secret Trail Brewing is solid and literally right around the corner from Sierra Nevada. Gets pretty crowded but worth the stop.
     
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  8. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,886) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I loved Port O'Pints when i was camping in Jedediah Smith area. Great bar and a locals type vibe. But I didn't mind Sea Quake either though the feel is more touristy
     
  9. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Port O'Pints is now on my hit list next time I'm in Crescent City.

    Wondering about SeaQuake, had a really nice WCIPA from them, and a poor hazy. But that was 2 years ago. How's their stuff these days?
     
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  10. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you do port o pints they make a mean Reuben. I haven't tried seaquake stuff in a while, I had a god awful hazy IPA and a couple of cans of their citra IPA that were messed up. I just kind of stopped trying after that. My wife has stopped at their spot in crescent city and said its very pleasant with decent pizza. Port o pints is kind of a local/fisherman divey pub vibe, seaquake is supposedly much more of an airy modern brewery vibe. My wife likes the seaquake location better. I'm sure their beer is still mostly decent.
     
  11. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,886) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes totally my impression. Also listening and chatting with some of the blue collar types at PoP, they have quite a distinct accent. Something I hadn't experienced in my years on the West Coast
     
  12. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Interesting, I haven't noticed that but I've always stopped there when on the road with the family so we always got a table away from the bar. I love tiny regional dialects so I'll have to tell the wife I have to hit PoP by myself nextime for a little, ahem, linguistic research
     
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  13. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,886) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It was strange it was a mix of Irish English and= something like the Essex accent i heard as a teen east of London. I guess its because this place is pretty remote an kept the accents of its original settlers.
    I too love dialects..my own being Doric Scots..i only use it when i meet another North eastern Scot or when i am "home".
     
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  14. camcjohnson

    camcjohnson Aspirant (221) Nov 27, 2015 California

    Piggybacking off this post a bit. I'll be living in SF with some friends next week. I'm pretty familiar with the beer scene in SF but I'm wondering if you all have recs for Oakland and the Bay Area. I've previously visited Ghost Town and thought they were solid. I have Temescal and Rare Barrel on my list to visit. Are there any other breweries you all consider must visits in the Bay? I'm looking for places who make clean lagers and west coast ipas mainly. Food recs in Oakland also appreciated.
     
  15. AndresR

    AndresR Pundit (832) Jul 19, 2009 California
    Trader

    Faction. Check the weather, plan to go an hour before sunset too. Best views in the area!

    Bring dinner too.
     
  16. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This is a great thread. The wife and I are driving down to Santa Cruz in a month, via I 5 in another month. I had no idea there were so many great beer destinations between Grant's Pass and Redding. We'll be staying around Mt Shasta the first night (the Inn at Mt Shasta). Any recommendations around there?
     
    #17 John_M, May 15, 2021
    Last edited: May 16, 2021
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  17. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

  18. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks! I've heard good things about Dunsmuir brewing as well, but know nothing about Yaks. Will be sure to check it out.
     
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  19. bret27

    bret27 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,064) Mar 10, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hit me up when you get close. I’m in Santa Cruz. May be able to share with you or at least direct you toward some good stuff. :beers:
    I’ve got a little insider info...:nerd:
     
    #20 bret27, May 16, 2021
    Last edited: May 16, 2021
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