CA Route 101 to Manchester State Beach

[Dozer Don]

In late June, on a trip from So. Calif. to Oregon,
I will be pulling a 32ft. 5th wheel from Petaluma, Ca to this RV park.
I would like to take the easiest route from anywhere along SR 101.

Thanks, Don

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

This is a case where the most direct route would not be the best. The shortest (on the map) would be to use CA-128 and Mountain View Road from US-101 to Manchester. Unfortunately, the view of the mountain(s) referred to would be a bit to close as you would have to go up, over, or around Cold Spring Mountain and Gualala Mountain. Indeed, the terrain is pretty rugged between US-101 and CA-1 everywhere north of the Bay area, so your best bet would be to get on US-1 in Mill Valley, just across the Golden Gate from San Francisco and just follow the coast road all the way up to Manchester. It will be a bit twisty in parts, but at least it will be relatively level, and very scenic.

AZBuck

[Dozer Don]

Thanks for the welcome AZBUCK,
I was just advised by a fellow RVer not to take the Mountain View Rd route with a 32ft fifth wheel. He said to take Rt 128 all the way to the coast and drop down to Manchester State Campground. It will be approx. 123 miles from Petaluma, Ca.
Don

[AZBuck]

Well, we (the fellow RVer and I) agree that Mountain View Road is to be avoided, but to take CA-128 all the way to the coast and then backtrack south to Manchester is a 50 mile detour. If you're starting out in Petaluma, I'd check locally on the appropriateness of Bodega Ave and Valley Ford Road to get you to CA-1 pretty directly rather than start out heading north on US-101 and waiting till the mountains rise up between you and the coast.

AZBuck

[Dozer Don]

I will look into your suggestion, it sure looks good on the map. I will do some research on that route west from Petaluma and If the coast hwy. is doable, I can return to 101 at Leggett.

Thanks again, Don