Best Route to Mendocino from Davis?

I%26#39;ve got a meeting in Davis, then I%26#39;ll leave at around 4:30 PM for Mendocino. I realize that I probably won%26#39;t get into Little River until late, but which way should I go?

I%26#39;d like to get a little scenery on the way and I%26#39;d like to do an alternate route than my route home where I intend to take Hwy 1 south.

RandMcNally.com suggested 80 south to Vallejo, cutting over on 37 and north on 101 to 128 at 3 hrs 40 mins. Is this the fastest route? Is it scenic?

I am also considering 5 north to 20 west. Can anybody tell me how long this might take? 5 hours?

And then there%26#39;s 16, 20, 53, 29, 175, 101, 253, to 128 - the most convoluted route.

Which way would you go? Thanks!

Best Route to Mendocino from Davis?

I%26#39;d recommend either the Rand McNally route or a slight twist on this one.....

The twist would be:

Take I80 to I12 to I29 to I101. This route will take you through the Napa Valley and you can see the vineyards, hillsides, etc. of this area. It is scenic; wineries will be closed, but a few of the stores might still be open to stop and browse through if you want a leisurely drive. Traffic should be pretty good as most of the winery traffic will be going the opposite way on the return drive. the road at the end is a little twsity curvy....but very doable....and its a fairly short stretch (about 20 minute driving.)

It might also help you avoid the worst traffic from Fairfield to Vallejo that can back up.

When you get on I101 you will be driving through the Alexander Valley (also scenic) until you reach I128.

http://www.alexandervalley.org/main.html

Off of I128 there is Hendy Woods State Park which is scenic

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=438

I128 to the Pacific Coast is a road that will go through meadows, vineyards, and viewsof the Redwood Forest.

Here%26#39;s more information:

winecountrygetaways.com/mendocino-wineries.h…

Again wineries are closed but the drive is scenic.

I would not suggest going the Clear Lake Route....lots of twists and turns on road and not as scenic as the above.

Best Route to Mendocino from Davis?

When taking Hwy 37 out of Vallejo, take the Lakeville Road turnoff at the 2nd signal light beyond the Levee portion of the highway. You can drive Lakeville Road at 55 mph without any stopping. This takes you to Petaluma where you can easily catch US 101 North. That will shave 15-20 minutes off your travel time instead of taking 37 all the way to 101 at Novato. (IF you decide on the Rand-Mcnally route that is). Hwy 128 west through Boonville toward the coast I think is a pretty drive, including a redwood forrest.

Mini: I%26#39;ve read many of your posts, but you really show your stuff here, and I just want to offer compliments. Not only do you know the routes%26#39; pluses and minuses and what will be seen, but your comments such as the Fairfield traffic issue are spot-on. Bravo. In Boston now, I grew up there, and still do those drives among spread-out relatives, and for fun.

Thanks to everyone for your really helpful suggestions! Wow, never posted anything before and appreciate the specific suggestions for traffic flow, sites and roads. I was worried a GPS might lead us astray and confused by the differing routes on mapquest and AAA sites.

Many thanks!