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Coleman Valley Road, Sonoma Coast, California
Photo: Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

Drives California The North Bay

Coleman Valley Road

Sonoma Coast, California · Occidental → Highway 1

Intense9 mi30 min1,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,100 ftOne way
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The drive

Coleman Valley Road is a small county road from the village of Occidental over the coastal hills to Highway 1, and one of the best-known scenic roads in Sonoma County. It leaves the Bohemian Highway in Occidental and climbs steeply through the forest, with short pitches steeper than 12 percent.

Past the Joy Road junction the road loses its painted lines and narrows, then comes out onto open, grassy highlands grazed by sheep and cattle, crossing several cattle guards on the way. There are glimpses of the ocean up here, but the wide view waits until the end.

That's why it's driven west: the final descent drops in tight bends toward the coast with the Pacific straight ahead, and ends just short of Highway 1 a little north of Bodega Bay. It's only nine miles, but give it half an hour.

Along the way

  1. Occidental (Bohemian Highway)
  2. Highway 1 (north of Bodega Bay)
Elevation
1,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,100 ft
OccidentalHighway 1
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
OccidentalHighway 1
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Much of the road has no centerline and it's narrow; slow down for oncoming cars on the blind bends.
  • There are four or five cattle guards and livestock on open range; watch for animals on the road.
  • It's one of the most popular cycling roads in Sonoma County, so expect riders on the steep climbs, especially on weekends.
  • Some pitches are very steep, and the descent to Highway 1 is tight; use a low gear.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Sonoma County Road Closures & Delays.

Questions about this drive

How long does Coleman Valley Road take?

Coleman Valley Road from Occidental to Highway 1 is 9 miles and takes about 30 minutes, climbing about 1,000 feet.

Which way should you drive Coleman Valley Road?

Westbound from Occidental, because the wide ocean view on Coleman Valley Road opens up only on the final descent to Highway 1.

Is Coleman Valley Road narrow?

Yes. Much of Coleman Valley Road has no painted centerline and is narrow, with steep pitches, cattle guards and tight bends on the descent to the coast.

Where does Coleman Valley Road end?

Coleman Valley Road ends at Highway 1 on the Sonoma Coast a little north of Bodega Bay.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Coleman Valley Road, from Occidental to Highway 1