10 Reasons to Explore Highway 128 in Sonoma County

Winding its way from Sonoma County’s eastern border with Napa County to its northern border with Mendocino County, Highway 128 offers a delightful way to explore the beauty and bounty of Wine Country away from the usual hustle and bustle.

This unique stretch of highway varies from two-lane country roads on its eastern and northern ends, to a four-lane section where it becomes part of Highway 101, Sonoma County’s main north-south corridor.  Here are 10 reasons to take this scenic drive.

1. Wine

As it meanders across the northeastern corner of Sonoma County, Highway 128 passes through the beautiful scenery of the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Northern Sonoma American Viticultural Areas (AVAs, official wine regions).  With more than 100 wineries in this area, there are choices to please any palate. Take a vineyard tour and savor food-and-wine pairings with 360-degree views at Jordan Vineyard & Winery; check out the wines, Oscars, and movie memorabilia at Francis Ford Coppola Winery (a wine wonderland for the whole family); take your picnic to Hanna Winery and enjoy a great glass of wine with tremendous views.

2. Dine

Whether you want to pick up a picnic lunch, grab a luscious burger, or sit down to a casual but delicious farm-to-table gourmet feast, you can find it in this northeastern corner of Sonoma County. Here, Mother Nature is generous, and cooks and chefs typically use fresh local vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, and other ingredients to create wonderful food.

3. Lord Snort

Standing 20 feet high and 30 feet long, and weighing six tons, this massive sculpture of a galloping mechanical boar is an arresting sight in front of Soda Rock Winery. Dubbed ‘Lord Snort’ by its creator, acclaimed Sonoma County sculptor Bryan Tedrick, this dynamic artwork can spin 360 degrees on its pedestal, and its head can nod up and down. Crafted with new and reclaimed steel, it took more than 1,000 hours to create, was delivered to the site in four pieces, and lifted into place with a crane.

4. Geyserville

Highway 128 takes a sharp turn in the middle of ‘downtown’ Geyserville (which is only a few blocks long). Named for the geothermal springs just east of town, this tiny town charms visitors with its Wild West storefronts and wooden boardwalks. Chat with locals at the coffee shop, try one of the delicious restaurants, shop for everything from nails to cowboy boots at the general store, sip vintages in several wine tasting rooms, or browse for gifts or antiques in local stores. And on a hillside just north of town, you can try your luck at the River Rock Casino.

5. Healdsburg

Many places along Highway 128 have Healdsburg addresses, but the historic plaza at the center of this charming Wine Country town is actually about six miles south of the highway. It’s worth an exploratory detour, by heading south on Alexander Valley Road, then left on Healdsburg Avenue, and into the center of town. A wine, foodie, and shopping haven with a hip small-town vibe, downtown Healdsburg makes a great place to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and explore.

6. Cloverdale

Located at the point where Highway 128 splits off of the Highway 101 corridor and heads northeast into Mendocino County, family-friendly Cloverdale offers a compact downtown filled with rambling Victorians, a thriving arts community, and highly regarded Zinfandel wines. Strolling along Main Street reveals intriguing stores, galleries, restaurants, and tasting rooms, as well as a performing arts center and local history museum.

7. Sculpture Trails

The communities of Geyserville and Cloverdale both host sculpture trails. Presented by the Geyserville Community Foundation, the Geyserville Sculpture Trail includes more than 25 pieces; some are on permanent display, and others will rotate periodically. Check out the gallery of sculptures, listed from south to north, and a sculpture trail map. 

Run by the Cloverdale Historical Society, the Cloverdale Sculpture Trail is an annual juried display of 12 artworks, changing each May. An audio, self-guided tour by Octocast includes an interactive map of the Cloverdale Sculpture Trail, and the historical society also offers an online overview of the current sculptures and a trail map.

8. Russian River

Swim, paddle, fish, or splash in this lazily meandering waterway, or hike or bird watch along its banks. Cloverdale River Park features a picnic area with tables, a launch area for kayaks or canoes, and a 1.3-mile paved multi-use trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach offers shady picnic facilities and a wide, sandy beach.

9. Lake Sonoma

Located east of Highway 128 (where it heads up Highway 101 near Geyserville), Lake Sonoma offers 8,000 acres of blue water surrounded by oak-studded hills. The lake holds plenty of trout, bass, and catfish; there is shore access for fishing, but it’s best from a boat. You can rent anything from a canoe to a powered fishing boat at the Lake Sonoma Marina.

10. Sleep in Wine Country

There’s so much to see and do, you’ll probably want to check in for the night, enjoy Wine Country hospitality, and get a fresh start in the morning. Half a mile to the west along Highway 128, the family owned and operated Geyserville Inn provides all the comforts of a modern hotel with the charm and service of a small country inn. It features 38 rooms and three king suites, an outdoor pool, and the onsite Duo Tasting Room pouring limited production wines from Etrusca and Tonti Family Wines. 

Of course, these 10 are just a sampling of what you can discover along Highway 128 in Sonoma County. Take the scenic drive, and find what you like best in this corner of Wine Country. For more ideas, read 5 Fun Things To Do in Cloverdale and 5 Fun Things To Do in Geyserville.