Leaving Marin County, U.S. 101 returns to a four-lane freeway configuration, but the freeway is often overwhelmed due to a high traffic volume. A third lane in each direction is currently under construction, and it is expected to result in a reduction of traffic delays that plague the U.S. 101 corridor at all hours of the day. U.S. 101 serves the Sonoma County cities of Petaluma, Cotati, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Windsor, Healdsburg, and Cloverdale. North of Cloverdale, plans call for expansion of U.S. 101 into a freeway as it leads into Mendocino County.
Sonoma County is well-known for its wines, and it is compared frequently to its better-known neighbor to the east, Napa County. While Napa Valley is recognized internationally for its wines and grapes, many Bay Area residents patronize the Sonoma County wine country. While traveling north on U.S. 101, vineyards are increasingly common as farmers find more value in this lucrative crop.
Through Sonoma County, U.S. 101 is designated as the "Sonoma County Veterans Memorial Highway." This designation follows the north-south freeway all the way north to the Mendocino County Line. Sonoma County is home to 478,440 people (2005 estimate); the largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa (population 156,268). Of 1580 square miles in the county, only 80.05 are within the incorporated cities of Sonoma County, which are: Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor. Approximately 68% of the total population lives in these cities; much of the rest of the land is rural, including seemingly endless wineries and orchards. The Russian River flows through a significant portion of the county, traveling south from Mendocino County toward the Pacific Ocean. Photo taken 05/26/06.
U.S. 101 continues as a four-lane expressway (known as the "Novato Narrows" due to its heavy traffic and four-lane configuration), with a few at-grade intersections and driveways that remain as of 2006. The three largest of these intersections (at Redwood Landfill, San Antonio Road, and Kastania Road) are planned to be eliminated. As of May 2006, the Redwood Landfill intersection was being converted into an interchange and is thus the first intersection to be converted. Driveways are mostly found on the southbound lanes. Designated as a safety corridor due to high traffic volume and substandard segments, U.S. 101 is planned for widening and upgrades including additional lanes south of Santa Rosa. The freeway is still nothing like the U.S. 101 corridor in Marin County. Here, northbound U.S. 101 reaches the second intersection with San Antonio Road. There is no left turn permitted here, which assumes traffic en route to San Antonio Road would have made the left turn in Marin County. Photo taken 05/26/06.
An official California Welcome Center is located at Railroad Square in downtown Santa Rosa along Fourth Street. Use the downtown exit (19 miles) to reach the welcome center, which features visitor information, traveler services, and related materials. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The at-grade expressway section comes to an end as U.S. 101 approaches the Petaluma Bypass. However, there is one more intersection (Kastania Road). The first exit on is the freeway/business split at Exit 472A. Business U.S. 101 follows Petaluma Boulevard north through downtown Petaluma, while U.S. 101 freeway stays to the east of downtown Petaluma. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next left turn from northbound U.S. 101 is for Kastania Road. In 2006, the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians considered developing the land east of U.S. 101 at this intersection for a possible casino/gambling venture. However, voters advised the city not to approve the casino by defeating Measure H during the November 2006 election. Photo taken 05/26/06.
After Kastania Road, the next four exits all serve the city of Petaluma: Exit 472A, Junction Business U.S. 101/Petaluma Boulevard; Exit 472B, Junction California 116/Lakeville Highway; Exit 474, East Washington Street; and Exit 476, Junction Business U.S. 101/Old Redwood Highway. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Business U.S. 101 follows the old alignment of U.S. 101 through downtown Petaluma. The bypass of Petaluma was constructed and opened to traffic in 1956; the old route was signed as a business route in the 1990s. Petaluma was founded in 1852 (incorporated on April 12, 1858) primarily due to its proximity to the navigable Petaluma River and San Francisco Bay. Known as the "World's Egg Basket," Petaluma is known for its dairies. As of the 2010 Census, 57,941 people live in Petaluma. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Use Business U.S. 101/Petaluma Boulevard to historic downtown Petaluma. Located along the Petaluma River, downtown Petaluma features historical buildings that date back to the 1800s. Restaurants, shops, Victorian homes, and the Great Petaluma Mill all sit downtown, and some are located along the river. The name "Petaluma" refers to a Coastal Miwok Indian phrase for “valley of the little hills." Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 472A, Junction Business U.S. 101/Petaluma Boulevard northwest to downtown Petaluma. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Immediately after Exit 472A, a "Begin Freeway" sign is posted immediately prior to a "Petaluma" entry monument sign. This sign is partially obscured by trees. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101 is Exit 472B, Junction California 116/Lakeville Highway. Use California 116 east to California 12 and California 121; California 12 east and California 121 north connect to Napa, while California 12 west leads to Sonoma and the Valley of the Moon. Photo taken 05/26/06.
U.S. 101 crosses the Petaluma River between the Business U.S. 101 interchange and the California 116 east interchange. This high-level bridge was built in the mid-1950s along with the rest of the U.S. 101 freeway bypass; expanding it to three lanes in each direction is under consideration but is expensive. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Lakeville Highway follows California 116 east to Stage Gulch Road, then continues southeast to its end at California 37. Only the section from U.S. 101 to Stage Gulch Road is a state highway, while the rest is a county route. California 116 follows Stage Gulch Road east to Arnold Drive, then ends at California 121/Carneros Highway at "Big Bend." Photo taken 05/26/06.
California 116 west merges onto northbound U.S. 101 for the remainder of the Petaluma Bypass, and they will remain merged until near Rohnert Park. The routes divide at Exit 481B. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 reaches Exit 472B, Junction California 116/Lakeville Highway. U.S. 101 north and California 116 west continue north on the Petaluma Bypass. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 116 is Exit 474, East Washington Street to downtown Petaluma. Use East Washington Street west to Business U.S. 101/Petaluma Boulevard in downtown. This exit also serves the airport, National Guard Armory, and fairground. Photo taken 05/26/06.
A mileage sign is posted between Exits 472B and 474 for the distance to Cotati (9 miles), Santa Rosa (17 miles), and Eureka (234 miles). Ukiah in Mendocino County is omitted. It is still a long way to the North Coast cities of Eureka and Crescent City. Photo taken 05/26/06.
West of Petaluma, Washington Street defaults onto Bodega Avenue. Follow Bodega Avenue to Valley Ford Road, which connects to northbound California 1 into Bodega Bay and Sonoma Coast State Beach on the Pacific Coast. Westbound Bodega Avenue also connects to the Tomales-Petaluma Highway, which connects to southbound California 1 en route to Tomales Bay State Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Seahaven. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 116 reach Exit 474, East Washington Street/Central Petaluma. The freeway continues to bypass the downtown area to the northeast. Photo taken 05/26/06.
A reassurance shield assembly for U.S. 101 north and California 116 west features Series E Highway Gothic font for "116" and Series D Highway Gothic font for "101." Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101 is Exit 476, Old Redwood Highway north and Junction Business U.S. 101/Petaluma Boulevard south. Old Redwood Highway follows the original alignment of U.S. 101 north prior to the completion of the freeway. The old alignment continues due north to Penngrove, then turns northwest to rejoin U.S. 101 in Cotati. This alignment also connects to Petaluma Hill Road, which offers an alternate route north to downtown Santa Rosa via Sonoma State University (at the intersection with Cotati Avenue). Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 and westbound California 116 reaches Exit 476, Old Redwood Highway north to Penngrove and Cotati and Business U.S. 101/Petaluma Boulevard south to downtown Petaluma. Use this exit to Stony Point Road north (turn left onto Petaluma Boulevard then turn right onto Stony Point Road). This section of U.S. 101 was opened to traffic in 1957, from Petaluma north to Cotati and Rohnert Park. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Now on the offramp from northbound U.S. 101/westbound California 116, this roadside sign acknowledges that a right turn will connect to Penngrove and Cotati. Omitted is that a left turn will connect to Business U.S. 101/Petaluma Boulevard south. Photo taken 05/26/06.
This mileage sign provides the distance to Rohnert Park (five miles), Santa Rosa (13 miles), and Eureka (229 miles). Photo taken 05/26/06.
After traveling about two miles, the first advance sign appears for the next exit: Exit 479, Railroad Avenue. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 116 reach Exit 479, Railroad Avenue. Use Railroad Avenue east to Petaluma Hill Road north to Sonoma State University. Founded in 1966, the college became a university in 1978. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 116 is Exit 481A, West Sierra Avenue into Cotati, the "Hub of Sonoma County." This nickname is given due to the centrality of the city within Sonoma County and also because of the unique hexagonal layout of the downtown plaza (centered by La Plaza Park). The city incorporated on July 16, 1963, and had a population of 7,265 as of the 2010 Census. Use West Sierra Avenue northeast to the plaza and downtown Cotati. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next two exits (Exit 481A, West Sierra Avenue and Exit 481B, Junction California 116/Gravenstein Highway, serve downtown Cotati. The second exit also serves the city of Rohnert Park, which abuts Cotati to the north. Cotati and Rohnert Park have a linked history, as they both incorporated around the same time in the 1960s. In Fall 1960, officials explored creating one combined city for both Cotati and Rohnert Park, but that was discarded as an option in Winter 1961. Rohnert Park incorporated on August 21, 1962, while Cotati followed on July 2, 1963. During the intervening year between Rohnert Park's incorporation and Cotati's incorporation, some Cotatians were concerned that newly formed Rohnert Park would subsume portions of Cotati as a new city. This created momentum among Cotatians to create their own city. Once Cotati incorporated, City Council members denied themselves pay and tried to keep Cotati staffed with volunteers rather than paid staff. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 and westbound California 116 reach Exit 481A, West Sierra Avenue. This is the main route into Cotati from the south. Annual events in Cotati include the Cotati Jazz Festival in June and the Cotati Accordion Festival in August. As of the 2000 Census, Cotati was home to 6,471 people. This has since increased to 7,138 people as of a 2005 Census estimate. Photo taken 05/26/06.
California 116 and U.S. 101/Redwood Highway split at Exit 481B. This is the point where Old Redwood Highway comes back to U.S. 101 after connecting to Penngrove (see Exit 476, above). California 116 will turn northwest along the Gravenstein Highway to connect to Sebastopol, then follow the Russian River toward the Pacific Ocean. Along this scenic stretch of highway, California 116 passes through the communities of Forestville, Guerneville, Monte Rio, and Duncans Mills. Known for flooding during the rainy season, the Russian River drains a large area through the narrows along California 116. Annual threats to communities along the Russian River make the area volatile during the winter months, with connections to the coastal areas difficult. However, the scenery along this section of California 116 is incredible, and coastal route along California 1 is unparalleled. Use California 116 northwest to the coast. Photo taken 05/26/06.
As noted earlier, Exit 481B serves the city of Rohnert Park, along with Exit 483, Rohnert Park; and Exit 484A, Wilfred Avenue/Golf Course Drive. Use Gravenstein Highway east to both Cotati and Rohnert Park. Incorporated shortly prior to Cotati, Rohnert Park is home to 42,236 people (as of 2000 Census). A master planned community, Rohnert Park was built on the former Rohnert Seed Farm starting in 1954. The community was intended to have eight neighborhood units, each of which would contain approximately 200 to 250 homes, a 10-acre school, and a five-acre park. Infrastructure for the development was installed after a community facilities district was formed in 1956, and homes started being built a year later. Incorporation came on August 28, 1962. While most of the city of Rohnert Park is built out, certain parcels are potential locations for future development. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and California 116/Gravenstein Highway split at Exit 481B. Use California 116 northwest to Sebastopol, Forestville, Guerneville, and Jenner (Junction California 1). U.S. 101 continues north toward Santa Rosa, Windsor, and Healdsburg. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Now on the exit ramp to California 116, turn left to follow California 116/Gravenstein Highway or turn right to connect to Old Redwood Highway to Cotati and Rohnert Park. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway is Exit 483, Rohnert Park Expressway. This diamond interchange connects to the major east-west corridor through Rohnert Park, and the right of way is large enough to accommodate future interchange improvements if desired. Continuing north past the Rohnert Park Expressway interchange, the next exit along northbound U.S. 101 is Exit 484A, Wilfred Avenue and Golf Course Drive. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 484A, Wilfred Avenue and Golf Course Drive. Use Golf Course Drive east to the Foxtail Golf Club. Golf Course Drive connects to north-south Snyder Lane. A large shopping center sits to the west of U.S. 101 at this interchange. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway is Exit 484B, Junction Business U.S. 101/Santa Rosa Avenue. The Santa Rosa business route is not signed from the northbound U.S. 101 freeway, so it is unclear if it begins at Exit 484B (Santa Rosa Avenue) or at Exit 488A (Baker Avenue/Santa Rosa Avenue). Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next ten exits all serve the city of Santa Rosa: Exit 484B, Junction Business U.S. 101 north, Santa Rosa Avenue; Exit 485, Todd Road; Exit 487, Yolanda Avenue/Hearn Avenue; Exit 488A Baker Avenue to Junction Business U.S. 101 Santa Rosa Avenue; Exit 488B, Junction California 12 to Sebastopol and Sonoma; Exit 489, Downtown Santa Rosa (Third Street and Morgan Street); Exit 490, College Avenue (to Santa Rosa Junior College); Exit 491A, Steele Lane/Guerneville Road; Exit 491B, Bicentennial Way; and Exit 492, Mendocino Avenue/Old Redwood Highway (to Business U.S. 101 south and old U.S. 101 north). The section of U.S. 101 north to Baker Avenue was built in 1957; the California 12 interchange complex was built in 1964; the section from there north to College Avenue was built in 1968; and the section from Mendocino Avenue north to Healdsburg via Windsor was built in 1962. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 484B, Junction Business U.S. 101/Santa Rosa Avenue. The city of Santa Rosa is the seat of Sonoma County. Incorporated on March 26, 1868, Santa Rosa was home to Luther Burbank, a world-renowned horticulturist. Burbank introduced hundreds of plants in the region during his 50-year stay in Santa Rosa, until his death in 1926. Luther Burbank's home and gardens are preserved near downtown Santa Rosa, and are a national historic landmark. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway is Exit 485, Todd Road. This overhead guide sign for Todd Road is posted on the Santa Rosa Avenue overpass. Santa Rosa was home to Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz from 1958 through 2002. The Peanuts comic strip still runs in newspapers today; a museum dedicated to Mr. Schulz's life work is found at Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. The museum is located near the Redwood Empire Ice Arena and Snoopy's Gallery and Gift Shop at the intersection of West Steele Lane and Hardies Lane west of U.S. 101. Use Exit 491A to reach the museum. Photo taken 05/26/06.
U.S. 101 through Santa Rosa used to have four lanes as recently as the late 1990s; a third lane in each direction was installed for carpools and high occupancy vehicles south of downtown Santa Rosa. Ongoing construction along the U.S. 101 corridor will result in additional capacity improvements. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 485, Todd Road in Santa Rosa. As of the 2000 Census, 147,595 lived in Santa Rosa; by 2005, the population had estimated to increase to 153,158 residents. By the 2010 Census, Santa Rosa had a population of 167,815. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway is Exit 487, Yolanda Avenue and Hearn Avenue (one mile). Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
U.S. 101 formally enters the city of Santa Rosa. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Stay right for the exit from northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway to Exit 487, Yolanda Avenue and Hearn Avenue. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway meets Exit 487, Yolanda Avenue and Hearn Avenue. The following three exits along U.S. 101 north are Exit 488A, Baker Avenue to Junction Business U.S. 101 Santa Rosa Avenue; Exit 488B, Junction California 12 to Sebastopol and Sonoma; and Exit 489, Downtown Santa Rosa (Third Street and Morgan Street). Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The right lane of U.S. 101/Redwood Highway north becomes exit only for Exit 488A, Baker Avenue to Business U.S. 101/Santa Rosa Avenue. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Use either of the next two exits to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. All motorist services (gas, food, lodging) are available at these exits. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 488A, Baker Avenue to Business U.S. 101/Santa Rosa Avenue. The second exit is Exit 488B, Junction California 12. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Immediately thereafter, northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway meets Exit 488B, Junction California 12 east to Sonoma and Napa and west to Sebastopol and Bodega Bay. California 12 is a major east-west route extending from Sebastopol east to Santa Rosa and Sonoma, then southeast to Napa and Fairfield. After passing through the California Delta, California 12 emerges in Lodi, then proceeds to meet California 49 near Jackson. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The next exit along U.S. 101 north is Exit 489, Third Street and Morgan Street (not shown). Thereafter, northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway approaches Exit 490, College Avenue to Santa Rosa Junior College. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 490, College Avenue to Santa Rosa Junior College. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The next exit along U.S. 101 north is Exit 491A, Steele Lane and Guerneville Road. Use this exit for the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The right two lanes of U.S. 101 north connect to Exit 491A, Steele Lane and Guerneville Road. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The next exit along U.S. 101 north is Exit 491B, Bicentennial Way, followed by Exit 492, Junction Business U.S. 101/Mendocino Avenue south and Historic U.S. 101/Old Redwood Highway north. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbound U.S. 101 reaches Exit 492, Junction Business U.S. 101/Mendocino Avenue south and Historic U.S. 101/Old Redwood Highway north. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
After the onramp from Mendocino Avenue, this mileage sign provides the distance to the town of Windsor (7 miles) and cities of Healdsburg (12 miles) and Eureka (215 miles). Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The next exit along U.S. 101/Redwood Highway north is Exit 494, River Road west to Guerneville and east to Mark West and Calistoga. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Use River Road west to the Russian River resort areas. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
River Road travels east toward Mark West and Calistoga. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbound U.S. 101 reaches Exit 494, River Road. The next interchange is Exit 495A, Fulton Road. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Soon thereafter, northbound U.S. 101 meets Exit 495A, Fulton Road. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The next exit along U.S. 101 north is Exit 495B, Airport Boulevard. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The next three exits from U.S. 101 serve the town of Windsor (population 26,801 as of the 2010 census and incorporated on July 1, 1992). Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
A town limits sign is posted shortly thereafter. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbound U.S. 101 reaches Exit 496, Shiloh Road. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The next exit along U.S. 101 north is Exit 498, Historic U.S. 101/Old Redwood Highway in Windsor. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbound U.S. 101 meets Exit 498, Historic U.S. 101/Old Redwood Highway. The following interchange is Exit 499, Arata Lane (1.5 miles). Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The next exit along U.S. 101 north is Exit 499, Arata Lane. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbond U.S. 101/redwood Highway meets Exit 499, Arata Lane. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
The next three exits along U.S. 101 north all serve the city of Healdsburg: Exit 502, Healdsburg Avenue; Exit 503, Central Healdsburg; and Exit 505, Dry Creek Road. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 502, Healdsburg Avenue. The next exit along northbound is Exit 503, Central Healdsburg. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 503, Healdsburg Avenue (Old U.S. 101) to Central Healdsburg. Follow Healdsburg Avenue east (southbound Old U.S. 101) to the Russian River bridge. Home to 10,722 people as of the 2000 Census, Healdsburg was founded in 1857 by entrepreneur Harmon Heald and incorporated as a city on February 20, 1867. The Northwestern Pacific Railroad was extended to Healdsburg in 1871, shortly after it became a city. Photos taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey and 05/26/06.
At the base of the offramp from U.S. 101 north at Exit 503 is this freeway entrance shield assembly. Photo taken 08/27/11 by Leland Bailey.
Back on the mainline, the next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway is Exit 505, Dry Creek Road. This interchange also serves the city of Healdsburg. Dry Creek Road travels northwest toward Lake Sonoma, the large reservoir in the coastal range between U.S. 101 and the ocean. To the east, Dry Creek Road enters Healdsburg, connects with Old Redwood Highway (Historic U.S. 101), and changes into March Avenue. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 505, Dry Creek Road (so named after Dry Creek Valley through which the road traverses). From here, U.S. 101 passes through rural Sonoma County and will not serve another city until reaching Cloverdale near the Mendocino County Line. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway is Exit 507, Lytton Springs Road/Alexander Valley Road. Use this exit to connect to the north end of Old Redwood Highway, which travels south into Healdsburg. Lytton Springs Road travels west to the Healdsburg Airport before connecting with Dry Creek Road. Alexander Valley Road travels east to Jimtown, where it connects with California 128. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Use Lytton Springs Road west to the Dry Creek Rancheria. A California Department of Forestry Fire Station is also accessed from this exit. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit is Exit 509, Independence Lane. Wineries line the countryside as U.S. 101 continues north alongside the Russian River. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway meets Exit 509, Independence Lane. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next two exits serve Geyserville, an unincorporated community of Sonoma County. An official Chamber of Commerce web site mentions that this site was named due to its proximity to The Geysers, a geothermal feature seen on the Mayacmas Mountains between the Russian River Valley and Clear Lake. The Geysers provide a substantial amount of electricity for the regional power grid. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101 is Geyserville Boulevard. This offramp provides a connection to California 128 (closed on this day because the Russian River bridge was washed out during the 2005-2006 rainy season). The south end of Geyserville Boulevard is not part of California 128. Photo taken 05/26/06.
This advisory sign indicates that access to California 128 is not available due to the loss of the Russian River bridge; an alternate route is via Alexander Valley Road at Jimtown (Exit 507). Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway reaches Exit 510, Geyserville Boulevard. A quaint wine country town, Geyserville is a favorite destination for weekend drivers and wine tasters. This gateway to The Geysers was very popular between the 1860s and 1880s, and today it is a much quieter town with a strong tourist base. Nearly a dozen wineries are within easy driving distance of Geyserville. Geyserville Boulevard is an old alignment of U.S. 101. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101 is Exit 512, Junction California 128 east to Geyserville and Junction Sonoma County Route C-1/Canyon Road west to Lake Sonoma. Shields for Sonoma County Route C-1 were removed from the U.S. 101 mainline at some point between 1995 and 2006. No signs for the county route remain on Canyon Road. From here, westbound California 128 merges onto northbound U.S. 101. Photo taken 05/26/06.
After a fair distance, the next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway is Exit 517, Asti Post Office Road. Signed simply as "Asti," this interchange serves the small community of Asti. Wineries abound all around Asti. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101 and westbound California 128 reach Exit 517, Asti Post Office Road. The pull-through sign advises of the next city along northbound, Cloverdale, as well as the control city of Eureka in Humboldt County. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 128 is Exit 518, Dutcher Creek Road. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Use Dutcher Creek Road south to Dry Creek Road, which departed from U.S. 101 at Exit 505. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 128 meet Exit 518, Dutcher Creek Road. The next exit along northbound is Exit 519, Junction Business U.S. 101 and Business California 128, South Cloverdale Boulevard. Photo taken 05/26/06.
U.S. 101 from Healdsburg to Cloverdale was constructed and opened to traffic in 1964. However, the Cloverdale Bypass, which passes to the east of downtown Cloverdale, was constructed in 1994. The first interchange that serves Cloverdale, Exit 519, carries old U.S. 101 and California 128 into town as a business route. Both U.S. 101 and California 128 are signed on the business route because the two routes diverge at the north end of the city of Cloverdale. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next three exits serve the city of Cloverdale: Exit 519, Junction Business U.S. 101 and Business California 128, South Cloverdale Boulevard; Exit 520, Citrus Fair Drive; and Exit 522, Junction California 128 west and Business U.S. 101 south (North Cloverdale Boulevard). Photo taken 05/26/06.
A mileage sign provides the distance to the next three exits. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 128 reach Exit 519, Junction Business U.S. 101 and Business California 128, South Cloverdale Boulevard. The city of Cloverdale is the furthest north city in Sonoma County. Cloverdale was incorporated on February 28, 1872, and is approximately 2.7 square miles in size. As of the 2000 Census the Cloverdale population was 6,831; as of 2005, the estimated population increased to 8,016. The population had reached 8,618 by the 2010 Census. By comparison, the 1990 Census population was a mere 4,924! Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 128 is Exit 520, Citrus Fair Drive. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Use Exit 520 to downtown Cloverdale via Citrus Fair Drive north to South Cloverdale Boulevard (Business U.S. 101 and Business California 128). The railroad parallels the freeway to the east; railroad depot is nearby. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 128 meets Exit 520, Citrus Fair Drive. Photo taken 05/26/06.
This reassurance shield assembly includes both U.S. 101 north and California 128 west. The Mayacmas Mountains rise tall in the background. Photo taken 05/26/06.
The next exit along northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway is Exit 522, Junction California 128 west to Fort Bragg and Mendocino via Yorkville, Boonville, Anderson Valley, and Navarro Point. This interchange is also the northern terminus of Business U.S. 101/North Cloverdale Boulevard. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Exit 522 is also signed as the "Last Cloverdale Exit." Photo taken 05/26/06.
Northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway and westbound California 128 split at Exit 522, Junction California 128 west and Business U.S. 101 south. Use California 128 west to Fort Bragg and Mendocino via Oat Valley, Yorkville, Boonville, Anderson Valley, and the Navarro River corridor. This is another beautiful Northern California drive. To connect with the oldest U.S. 101 alignment, follow California 128 northwest to Mountain House Road, then follow Mountain House Road north Mendocino County Route 111 and Hopland. Mountain House Road is a very old alignment of U.S. 101 and features a very old bridge. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Leaving Cloverdale, northbound U.S. 101/Redwood Highway ascends a cliff alongside the Russian River, which roars in the canyon to the east of the freeway. Portions of Old Redwood Highway can be seen below U.S. 101, but the bridge that used to cross the Russian River into Mendocino County was washed out. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Coming to the top of the grade, northbound U.S. 101 reduces to two lanes. Note that the median is now a jersey barrier, underscoring the narrow nature of this section of U.S. 101/Redwood Highway. Photo taken 05/26/06.
Rounding the bend, U.S. 101/Redwood Highway leaves Sonoma County and enters Mendocino County. Photo taken 05/26/06.
