A few weeks ago, I returned from the Bay Area (Walnut Creek and Lafayette) where I was shocked to find regular grade gas prices on just about every corner at $4.15 and more. On the outskirts of Petaluma I bought a tank for $4.09 and then discovered that up here on our isolated coast, Fort Bragg prices are no higher. This past week, prices hit over $4.50 in the Bay Area. I no longer shocked. It seems like high gas prices are hear to stay. For some, like the French tourist I met at a motel in Santa Rosa, U.S. prices are wonderful. Said he: “they are half the price of gas in France and here you have big roads and parking places. It’s wonderful to drive a car in the U.S.

On your drive here, the best buys:

Santa Rosa – Costco, Santa Rosa Avenue ($4.31) and Rotten Robbies at Todd Road and Highway 101 ($4.31).

If you come as a tourist, let me suggest where to buy and where to avoid:

Boonville – on Highway 128, the road to the coast: the only gas station in Boonville was charging $4.89. Other stations in the valley are $4.84 (Navarro) and $4.88 (Philo). Obviously prices are subject to change daily.
Mendocino – avoid the Chevron in Mendocino (our only station). The price recently was more than $5.15 for regular. Better yet, drive six miles to the USA Station between Fort Bragg and Mendocino where it will be on a par with Bay Area prices; in some cases slightly lower.

Fort Bragg – several stations are in the $4.50 range. So when you visiting, gas up here and then, if you’re a member, stop at Costco on the way home and save another 5 to 7 cents a gallon (with long lines, no doubt).