Last minute trip north

Hi. I may have to do a last minute business trip to Santa Rosa the second week of September. Natrurally, I would LOVE to combine this with a night or two somewhere in Sonoma county at a B and B. I have not been in the area in about 20 years (since my law school days...) so I have some questions. I know the ride from SFO will be verrrrryyyyyyy slow on the 101, but that%26#39;s the way it goes (I live in Los Angeles and the 101 is no better here some days!)

How far a drive is from Santa Rosa (the Junior College is where I wil be on the Tuesday) to the local coastal areas? Is the morning commute hellacious into Santa Rosa? I was thinking of staying Sunday and Monday night at a nice spot then driving to my business event on Tuesday morning (I have to be there around 8:30 am) and coming into town for other appointments on Monday.

I know B and Bs in the area can be outrageous, but are there any that are reasonably priced and near the ocean in that area?Or any that are nice (and affordable) elsewhere?

Last but not least, what other sights besides the wine country, coast and Peanuts are there to see? I want to explore a little as well. Thanks for your input. And if you ever need info about the greater LA area, start a thread in that forum and I%26#39;ll be glad to answer as best I can!

Last minute trip north

Spring Lake is a beautiful 70-acre lake and 300-acre park on the ';back side'; of Santa Rosa, a short way out Highway 12. Lots of neat walks, especially early in the morning. Lots of wildlife.

www.sonoma-county.org/parks/pk_slake.htm

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is just seven miles further out Highway 12 (not far from several wineries like Kenwood, Glen Ellen, and many smaller ';unknowns';). You%26#39;ll definitely be away from it all, but without a big drive. There are some beautiful vistas over the Sonoma Valley - to the San Francisco Bay on a clear day. Most days are clear at that elevation.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=481

Check out the Luther Burbank performance center for surprisingly big-name entertainment. Well, not what you get in LA, but you might be surprised.

The plazas in Sonoma and Healdsburg are special - history, food, wine, art. Each is 20 minutes to a half-hour from SR.

It%26#39;s about 40 minutes to an hour to the coast. One of the best places on the coast is the Inn at the Tides on Bodega Bay - views of the water, fireplaces etc. Also, cows right outside your window, sometimes - separated by a barb-wire fence. One feature is the included breakfast at their restaurant on the bay, where you are likely to be entertained watching the sea lion that lives there. It%26#39;s cheaper than other places at Bodega, but just as good. Weekdays are a lot cheaper than weekends.

Between SF and SR, US101 is bad going up on Saturday morning, and during the evening commute through the Petaluma corridor. Southbound, it%26#39;s no fun on Sunday afternoon, or during the morning commute. Otherwise they are fine. The Santa Rosa commute is no fun. You wouldn%26#39;t think there are that many people, but the roads haven%26#39;t kept up (deliberately).

Last minute trip north

...and the redwoods are 1/2 hour out River Road.