Calistoga to Geyserville

On our trip next month we are driving from SF to Clos Pegase in Calistoga. Our next stops are Pedroncelli and Trentadue in Geyserville. After checking mapquest there are 2 routes listed. One takes Rt 128 from Calistoga to Geyserville while the other backtracks to Rt 12 and then north. As I understand it should be about a 45 minute drive. Any advice on pros/cons of each route ?

We are thinking of stopping for a tasting at Alexander Valley Vineyards on Rt 128. Is that a good stop ? We are staying that evening in Sonoma at the Best Western, so we%26#39;re doing quite a bit of driving for one day. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Calistoga to Geyserville

Hwy. 128 thru the Alexander Valley is a very pretty route where you%26#39;ll encounter much less traffic than other routes, but will take somewhat longer to get to your winery destinations (Trentadue and Pedroncelli). It really depends upon your focus--rural scenery or getting from one point to the next. I%26#39;m confused as to the route that ';backtracks to 12'; if your aim is to get from Calistoga to the Healdsburg/Geyserville areas. If you need an alternative to taking #128 all the way, you can take Petrified Forest Rd. west out of Calistoga, then right on Porter Creek and continue onto Mark West Springs Rd. which will take you all the way to #101. Head north on #101 and bet. Healdsburg and Geyserville, Trentadue is on the east side of the frwy. Pedroncelli is about mid-way on Canyon Rd. bet. #101 and Dry Creek Rd. (west of #101)--so if time is the most important factor, then I think taking #128 wouldn%26#39;t be the best route. I%26#39;d allow more like an hour-plus if you take #128.

Calistoga to Geyserville

I have done that route from Calistoga to Geyersville often. I always use 128. After you go around the bend 128 becomes Alexander Valley Rd. Take that down to Healdsburg Ave and turn right. You can stay on Healdsburg Ave, or jump on 101 North and take it up an exit to get to Trentadue. Non-stop from Calistoga to Trentadue can%26#39;t be more than 45 minutes even if you drive like a granny. (No offense to all the grannies out there, we do love ya!)

Besides, this route runs you by several fantastic wineries. Fieldstone, Hanna, AVV, White Oak, and Sausal.

I think that mapquest and google use the Petrified Forest Rd route because it puts you on 101. I think its a coin toss on driving time. I plugged in the both routes into mapquest. 42 minutes using Petrified Forest Rd and 43 minutes using 128.

BTW, you are doing an incredible amount of driving in one day. SF to Calistoga, to Geyersville, and finally to Sonoma. WOW. Thats 3.5 hours of windshield time. You may want to rethink what your objectives are.

EZ,

Thanks for the advice. I think that we%26#39;ll eliminate the Calistoga leg and Clos Pegase.

The day trip will now be SFO to Geyserville ( Trentadue and Pedroncelli) , then drive back thru Healdsburg to the Best Western in Sonoma Square. We can stop in Healdsburg on the way to the hotel, or pick up a tasting or two along the way if there%26#39;s time.

The next day will be Cline, St Francis, then off to Bodega Bay for lunch before heading back to the hotel in Burlingame. If there%26#39;s time we%26#39;ll do a quick stop along the way to Bodega Bay for a tasting. Anything you can recommend along the way ?

Many thanks for the sanity check.

Just so you won%26#39;t be disappointed the Best Western in Sonoma is not ';in the Square';. It is two blocks away just off Hwy 12. If you want to stay ';on the Square';, look at the El Dorado Hotel, which is historic and has an excellent restaurant, The El Dorado Kitchen. Try for on of the front rooms, which have porches overlooking the Plaza.