Your Host(s) for the Event
Duane Caldwell
Route
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dP9R32bHAnaatMHA9
Register via MotorSport Registry
https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/run-to-bodega-bay-norcal-minis-109632
Meet-up Time / Departure Time
9 am / 9:45 am
Meet-up Location
McInnis Park Creekside Field parking lot
"McInnis Park Creekside Field" will show up in Google Maps at the East end of Smith Ranch Road
300-368 Main Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
NOTE: Meet up at the parking lot on the East side of the Creekside Field. As you drive in, the Mt. Tam Field backstop will be on your right, and the wetlands will be on the left.
Several gas stations, a Starbucks, and other cafes are just off the west side of US 101 on Manuel T Freitas Parkway near the morning meetup location. Other gas stations and cafes are visible from the freeway leading up to San Rafael.
Run Details
We are changing up the starting and ending points of this familiar route to cut out the run on US 101 and to expand our tour of Bodega Bay. We will start at a parking lot in a county park sitting between baseball fields and the Gallinas Creek wetlands. There are no services at our starting point, so be sure to gas up, grab your coffee/breakfast, and use the restroom before arriving at the meeting point.
Following the driver’s briefing, we will head out of the park on Main Drive, which turns into Smith Ranch Road then quickly into Lucas Valley Road without turns, but a few stoplights. Lucas Valley Road will take us through the scenery of Lucas Valley including oak grasslands and hills, Big Rock park, and a redwood forest before passing through the quaint village of Nicasio. We will pass Lucasfilm's Big Rock Ranch and Skywalker Ranch before reaching Nicasio, but they are well hidden from passing cars and strongly protect their solitude and serenity. "These are not the droids you are looking for."
Once we have exited the redwood forest, we will turn right onto Nicasio Valley Road toward the small, historic village of Nicasio and the Nicasio Cheese Company on our way north past Nicasio Reservoir. After passing the reservoir, we will turn northeast onto Pt. Reyes - Petaluma Road and stop for our halfway break at the Marin French Cheese Company, known for its brie, restrooms, and beautiful picnic table views of the pond and hills nearby. This break stop will take 20 to 30 minutes or so, to give all a chance to get their cheese and snacks.
Turning left out of the Marin French Cheese parking lot, we will drive a short distance before taking another left onto Hicks Valley Road. This route takes us through the beautiful hills and ranchlands leading through Chileno Valley and up to Tomales-Petaluma Road, our path to Tomales.
From Tomales, we will continue on up to Bodega Bay, passing last year’s stop at the Tides restaurant, so we can wind our way through more of Bodega Bay and ending at the Spud Point Marina on the west shore of Bodega Bay.
Spud Point Marina
Spud Point Marina free parking
At the marina parking lot, we will gather for a group photo and post-drive briefing before releasing everyone to enjoy one of the restaurants ringing the bay or heading south to the oyster restaurants lining Tomales Bay.
Bodega Bay was the setting for several scenes in Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, “The Birds.” Check out these landmarks on your own.
Lunch Details
Bodega Bay eating spots can be found here online. Two well-rated restaurants are in walking distance of the marina parking lot, and both are popular with those familiar with local dining options:
Additional Run Details
Please bring your radio, fully charged, turned on, and tuned to Channel 7, Subchannel 21 CTCSS before you arrive at the start. If you don’t have a radio, ask for a loaner at the driver’s meeting. For radio recommendations, please see https://www.facebook.com/legacy/notes/728353274556164/. Be sure to turn the “VOX” voice-activated setting OFF, or we will hear the wind from your AC, your conversations, and any noise in your car broadcasting to everyone.
We ask that you turn on low-beam headlights - not Auto - to make us more visible to other vehicles either ahead or behind us, including your fellow MINI drivers!
