Secret spot in West Sonoma

[arthousefilms]

Hi All,

Let's say that you have two hours to kill on an idle weekend in West Sonoma County... What's the coolest place to go or thing to do that isn't widely known to others?

Kirk

[shellebelle]

We like exploring the hills even on the roads its almost off roading!

You could also use https://www.farmtrails.org/index.html to find great places!


Hi All,

Let's say that you have two hours to kill on an idle weekend in West Sonoma County... What's the coolest place to go or thing to do that isn't widely known to others?

Kirk

[Zeno Swijtink]

Hi All,

Let's say that you have two hours to kill on an idle weekend in West Sonoma County... What's the coolest place to go or thing to do that isn't widely known to others?

Kirk

You want us to tell you our secrets, to make them widely known (WaccoBB has 6,651 members)?

Wouldn't be much of a secret anymore, would it?

Well, come closer so I can whisper: if you go down the road here for 6.1 miles, turn right, and then immediately right again, after 0.8 miles park your bike at the top of a hill and walk on this neat footpath south along some palisades. It leads to a wonderful forest with trees so old they have seen God. Lay down there and wait for them to speak to you.

Don't tell anyone else!

[Lenny]

Go To Occidental. Eat at Howards (until 2PM I think)
then take the Coleman Valley Road drive to the ocean.
It is much more worth more than :2cents:

[shellebelle]

I agree! Also explore the Branscomb Bodega Bay Inn garden - very wonderful! Full of exotics!


Go To Occidental. Eat at Howards (until 2PM I think)
then take the Coleman Valley Road drive to the ocean.
It is much more worth more than :2cents:

[oliviathunderkitty]

Sebastopol Horticultural Nursery. You can do a little on-line detective work and find it easily.

Once there, ask for a map at the kiosk and take the entire walk. Go leisurely. Take a picnic lunch if you like but if you do let them know when you arrive.

It's a hidden gem, very special, breathtakingly beautiful.



Hi All,

Let's say that you have two hours to kill on an idle weekend in West Sonoma County... What's the coolest place to go or thing to do that isn't widely known to others?

Kirk

[arthousefilms]

Wow, everyone! This is great. I'm making a big list. Nature seems like it is the predominant theme for "secret" spots. Thanks so much. We are moving there in August but we will be taking frequent mini-trips there from L.A. so it is great to get insiders' take on area.

By the way, got any favorite surf spots? I've a very experienced long boarder who grew up in Santa Cruz waves.

Kirk

[santarosie]

Salmon Creek School in Occidental. There is a beautiful shaded deck perched above the creek to check out the cascading pools where salmon or steelhead might be heading upstream; then follow the trail across the meadow for a short but pleasant hike up and around the forest.

[arthousefilms]

Hey SantaRosie,

Thanks for the tip. Can't wait to check it out. Sure is awesome in the west county!

Kirk


Salmon Creek School in Occidental. There is a beautiful shaded deck perched above the creek to check out the cascading pools where salmon or steelhead might be heading upstream; then follow the trail across the meadow for a short but pleasant hike up and around the forest.

[riverosprey]

OK here's a drive, but we're talking a full afternoon into the evening...

Pack a gourmet lunch with all kinds of scrumptious goodies...great bread, cheezes, fresh crab, fruit, garlic hummis, crackers, etc.

Head West of Guerneville on Hwy 116 to Cazadero Hwy, go just North of Cazadero and take the right fork onto King Ridge Road, continue on to Tin Barn Road and turn right...

along the way look to your left and see Odiyan through the trees (https://www.odiyan.org/), the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery outside of Tibet in the world...

turn right on Stewarts Point Skagg Spings Road and then left on Annapolis Road, just West of Annapolis turn right at the Annapolis Winery (https://www.annapoliswinery.com/) for a tasting. Buy a bottle of Basil and Barbara Scalabrini's 2005 Zinfandel ($26), it's very good. Go out to their beautiful apple orchard and have lunch. You will savor the food, wine and view of miles of beautiful forested hills.

Continue West on Annapolis Road, as you cross the bridge at the South Fork of the Gualala River say goodbye to the North American Plate and hello to the Pacific Plate as you cross the San Andreas fault...keep in mind you are now on land that used to be several hundred miles South.

Turn left on Highway 1 and try to time your trip for a Pacific sunset at the picnic area (with restroom and tables) in the hills just North of Jenner at the corner of Highway 1 and Meyers Grade Road.

Your cell phone should work ...call me on my cell phone at 529-1890 ...share with me the joy of your wonderful day; give me your mailing address and I will send you an original autographed Manure Man comic book (1996) drawn by local artist Tom Yeates from Jenner ;0). OK now continue on to Highway 116, turn left, go home and be glad of heart that we live in the midst of such beauty. Drive mindfully...safe journey...

L.
Tom Lynch
www.TomLynch4Supervisor.com (https://www.TomLynch4Supervisor.com)
"Together Toward a Sustainable Future"

[arthousefilms]

Tom,

That's what I call a secret spot! I better do a dry run on Google to make sure you're not sending us on a bogus trip to Montana. :-)

Who would have ever expected a Tibetan Buddhist monastery?!! Thanks for the links. Also, thanks for the tip on the wine.

Maybe I should bring my surfboard and make a day out of it. Isn't there good surf up by Gualala? Any sharks gonna eat me?

Also, I've never heard of Manure Man, but he sounds pretty unique!

I'm not sure when we'll find the time for the trip, but at some point, that phone of yours is going to be ringing.

Thanks!!

Kirk


OK here's a drive, but we're talking a full afternoon into the evening...

Pack a gourmet lunch with all kinds of scrumptious goodies...great bread, cheezes, fresh crab, fruit, garlic hummis, crackers, etc.

Head West of Guerneville on Hwy 116 to Cazadero Hwy, go just North of Cazadero and take the right fork onto King Ridge Road, continue on to Tin Barn Road and turn right...

along the way look to your left and see Odiyan through the trees (https://www.odiyan.org/), the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery outside of Tibet in the world...

turn right on Stewarts Point Skagg Spings Road and then left on Annapolis Road, just West of Annapolis turn right at the Annapolis Winery (https://www.annapoliswinery.com/) for a tasting. Buy a bottle of Basil and Barbara Scalabrini's 2005 Zinfandel ($26), it's very good. Go out to their beautiful apple orchard and have lunch. You will savor the food, wine and view of miles of beautiful forested hills.

Continue West on Annapolis Road, as you cross the bridge at the South Fork of the Gualala River say goodbye to the North American Plate and hello to the Pacific Plate as you cross the San Andreas fault...keep in mind you are now on land that used to be several hundred miles South.

Turn left on Highway 1 and try to time your trip for a Pacific sunset at the picnic area (with restroom and tables) in the hills just North of Jenner at the corner of Highway 1 and Meyers Grade Road.

Your cell phone should work ...call me on my cell phone at 529-1890 ...share with me the joy of your wonderful day; give me your mailing address and I will send you an original autographed Manure Man comic book (1996) drawn by local artist Tom Yeates from Jenner ;0). OK now continue on to Highway 116, turn left, go home and be glad of heart that we live in the midst of such beauty. Drive mindfully...safe journey...

L.
Tom Lynch
www.TomLynch4Supervisor.com (https://www.TomLynch4Supervisor.com)
"Together Toward a Sustainable Future"

[riverosprey]

Hi Kirk...

I look forward to sending you a comic book! If you go to https://www.tomlynch4supervisor.com-a.googlepages.com/pastisprologue you will learn more about Manure Man ;0). Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will find some pages from the comic book.

By the way it, is common knowledge the Jenner artist Tom Yeates, who drew Manure Man, made my neck bigger...hah!

L.
Tom "Manure Man" Lynch
www.TomLynch4Supervisor.com (https://www.TomLynch4Supervisor.com)

[Sandy]

I like the road to Plantation.

[Sciguy]

Graton is having a candidate's night on April 21. All five candidates for West County supervisor slot will be there to talk about their plans for west county and the Graton environs. Come join with us at 7 PM and let's try to learn what separates them all, for an informed vote.

Graton is a small town just off Hway 116 onto Graton Rd. It's halfway between Sebastopol and Forestville. Come to the Graton Community Clubhouse in the middle of town, at the corner of Edison St. and Graton Rd.

Sponsored by the Sonoma County League of Women Voters and the Graton Projects Committee. For more information call 829-3716.

Paul Palmer


https://www.waccobb.net/forums/C:%5Cpreload%5C2008-4-09%5Cgraton%20flyer.jpg


Tom,

That's what I call a secret spot! I better do a dry run on Google to make sure you're not sending us on a bogus trip to Montana. :-)

Who would have ever expected a Tibetan Buddhist monastery?!! Thanks for the links. Also, thanks for the tip on the wine.

Maybe I should bring my surfboard and make a day out of it. Isn't there good surf up by Gualala? Any sharks gonna eat me?

Also, I've never heard of Manure Man, but he sounds pretty unique!

I'm not sure when we'll find the time for the trip, but at some point, that phone of yours is going to be ringing.

Thanks!!

Kirk

[Sara S]

OMG I remember when you dumped that manure at City Hall in SR! I thought "a man after my own heart"! I'm calling for a copy of that comic book!

And, yes, that's a gorgeous drive; I live out here!

Sara S.


...Your cell phone should work ...call me on my cell phone at 529-1890 ...share with me the joy of your wonderful day; give me your mailing address and I will send you an original autographed Manure Man comic book (1996) drawn by local artist Tom Yeates from Jenner ;0). ...
Tom Lynch
www.TomLynch4Supervisor.com (https://www.TomLynch4Supervisor.com)
"Together Toward a Sustainable Future"

[riverosprey]

Good Morning Sara...

I love Cazadero and NW Sonoma County. Many great memories as well as future adventures await me there ;0). I look forward to sending you the comic.

Now that I'm thinking of fond memories...I miss the Fort Ross Benefit...Rose Radiator, the Duvall Brothers, Wavy Gravy...hmmmm corn on the cob dipped in butter, great BBQ...if the supports there I think as Supervisor I will work on having the County help insure the event!

L.

Tom

[Barry]

Now that I'm thinking of fond memories...I miss the Fort Ross Benefit...Rose Radiator, the Duvall Brothers, Wavy Gravy...hmmmm corn on the cob dipped in butter, great BBQ...if the supports there I think as Supervisor I will work on having the County help insure the event!

Now there's a campaign promise I can get behind!

Missing that fest too,
Barry

[sonomatom]

Ahh the Fort Ross VFD Benefit. Fun, sun, locals from the hills who see each other once a year, locals' kids hammering away at the volleyball court, excellent food, music on and on, into the night, beer, wine, many local places to stay. That benefit stands out as the best.

Tom, that would be a great thing if you could get them to restart the annual hill fest. The volunteers have always been so careful in setting up the parking, walk trails, stage and events. I heard that it came to an end because of a broken ankle and an overzealous lawyer. Sometimes I think there should be a disclaimer for the maternity ward, "live at your own risk".


Now there's a campaign promise I can get behind!

Missing that fest too,
Barry

[sonomatom]

Kruse Rhododenron Preserve alert! Blooming next month...


I like the road to Plantation.