Forum Discussion

JHFox's avatar
JHFox
Explorer
Apr 26, 2015

Northern California - Davis to Sonoma Coast

Hi all!

This is my very first post to the forum. I'm located in Reno, NV. In June the wife, pup, and I are going to Wright's Beach campground north of San Francisco. Been there many times by car, and have always taken the "safe" route: I80 West to 101 North. This year we're taking our 1996 F250 and our 19' 1976 travel trailer, and we're thinking about taking the scenic route. We're stopping west of Davis on the first night of the trip, and we were thinking of taking the route below the rest of the way to the beach:

Google map of route.

It's 128 to 116.

Has anyone driven this route before? I've towed the trailer over I80 a handful of times, and have no problem slowing down and taking my time. But this route definitely looks to be the twistiest-windiest that I'll have ever driven. Any words of advice (of any nature) are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

James
Roads and Routes
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    May 01, 2015
    djgarcia wrote:
    JHFox wrote:
    Thanks all! Much appreciated! I think we'll stick with the Vacaville / Napa route.

    See you on the road!
    James


    X2, wise choice, 128 is not a RV friendly route:) Try to avoid the early morning commuter traffic. Personally, I like going down to Vallejo and west to the Napa area.


    The highway out of Vallejo is 37 over to 101 then north to your cut off to Wright Beach cut off.
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    May 01, 2015
    djgarcia wrote:
    JHFox wrote:
    Thanks all! Much appreciated! I think we'll stick with the Vacaville / Napa route.

    See you on the road!
    James


    X2, wise choice, 128 is not a RV friendly route:) Try to avoid the early morning commuter traffic. Personally, I like going down to Vallejo and west to the Napa area.


    The highway out of Vallejo is 37 over to 101 then north to your cut off to Wright Beach.
  • cannesdo's avatar
    cannesdo
    Explorer
    May 01, 2015
    I've taken 128. Don't do it! It's actually on my cartoon travel map of all the places I've been: "Don't take route 128!" I pulled a 36 footer over that and nearly dropped the back end into the sunken driveways of more than one homeowner along the way. It gets narrower and narrower. Not a short cut at all. Pure misery. I'm thankful for the new google maps as you can tilt it and get an airline view and zoom in and really get a sense of the route and how steep the passes are etc...You can "fly" to any point and spin around and look at it from any direction. A great tool for RVers when prepping for a trip. Glad to see the others set you straight. Oy...I will never forget 128.
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    JHFox wrote:
    Thanks all! Much appreciated! I think we'll stick with the Vacaville / Napa route.

    See you on the road!
    James


    X2, wise choice, 128 is not a RV friendly route:) Try to avoid the early morning commuter traffic. Personally, I like going down to Vallejo and west to the Napa area.
  • JHFox's avatar
    JHFox
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2015
    Thanks all! Much appreciated! I think we'll stick with the Vacaville / Napa route.

    See you on the road!
    James
  • roadnerd's avatar
    roadnerd
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2015
    JHFox wrote:
    Hi all!

    This is my very first post to the forum. I'm located in Reno, NV. In June the wife, pup, and I are going to Wright's Beach campground north of San Francisco. Been there many times by car, and have always taken the "safe" route: I80 West to 101 North. This year we're taking our 1996 F250 and our 19' 1976 travel trailer, and we're thinking about taking the scenic route. We're stopping west of Davis on the first night of the trip, and we were thinking of taking the route below the rest of the way to the beach:

    Google map of route.

    It's 128 to 116.

    Has anyone driven this route before? I've towed the trailer over I80 a handful of times, and have no problem slowing down and taking my time. But this route definitely looks to be the twistiest-windiest that I'll have ever driven. Any words of advice (of any nature) are greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!

    James


    Greetings from Fairfield (about 20 miles away from Lake Solano). I ride 128 frequently on a motorcycle (yes, not EXACTLY the same...) - some of the best riding in Northern CA, IMHO. 128 is pretty doable, but does get tight at times. There are only a few grades that come to mind that take some care, but it's pretty laid back. I'd go early to avoid Lake Berryessa traffic (tons of stoned idiots/sport bikes/kids on the way to/from the lake) and use the turnouts (which are not that plentiful). I can't really speak to the 116 piece, sorry
    Have a great trip!
    --Brendan
  • MarkTwain's avatar
    MarkTwain
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2015
    Try to avoid hitting I-80 early morning hrs. To avoid the commuter cluster.
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Apr 26, 2015
    This is my very first post to the forum. I'm located in Reno, NV. In June the wife, pup, and I are going to Wright's Beach campground north of San Francisco. Been there many times by car, and have always taken the "safe" route: I80 West to 101 North. This year we're taking our 1996 F250 and our 19' 1976 travel trailer, and we're thinking about taking the scenic route. We're stopping west of Davis on the first night of the trip, and we were thinking of taking the route below the rest of the way to the beach:

    Google map of route.

    It's 128 to 116.

    Has anyone driven this route before? I've towed the trailer over I80 a handful of times, and have no problem slowing down and taking my time. But this route definitely looks to be the twistiest-windiest that I'll have ever driven. Any words of advice (of any nature) are greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!

    James


    I have taken IR 80 to SR 12 just west of Fairfield, then SR 121 and then SR 116 many many times. It will bring you into Petaluma one mile south of Washington Street, that street that you take through town and on over to Bodega. We have camped several times at Wrights Beach and it is great. It is shorter than going all the way to Vacaville and across the bay with all the traffic. I cannot recall a time crossing that recently that traffic was not a huge issue. Avoid it by taking another route.
  • JHFox's avatar
    JHFox
    Explorer
    Apr 26, 2015
    Thanks Ed! Sorry, that link was only supposed to show the third route, 128. From other research, it does not sound like a good choice. We'll probably do 12 through Napa.

    Much obliged,

    James
  • Ed_Gee's avatar
    Ed_Gee
    Explorer II
    Apr 26, 2015
    Your second example, through Napa and Sonoma, is the route we have taken many many times over the years. The I80 first example would be my second choice. I have never taken your third example, 128. It seems to me that could be a bit too 'mountainous' for my taste.....but again never been over that route.

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