Northern California Coast Trip
Apr 6, 2022 14:38:33 #
NDMarks
Loc: Dublin, Ca
There is a 31 mile road called "Avenue of the Giants". Well worth the trip. Did it several years ago on a motorcycle trip. It's on the internet.
Apr 6, 2022 15:13:15 #
If f time allows, a day spent South of San Francisco to drive CA1 and see Big Sur is worth the time.
Apr 6, 2022 15:42:23 #
Just a few miles north of Leggett is the “ Avenue of the Giants”. Well worth the drive.
Apr 6, 2022 18:30:40 #
Rokko
Loc: Minneapolis
Muir Woods, Point Reyes, and the Avenue of the Giants are all excellent. Muir Woods is probably two to three hours unless you want to spend more time hiking there. Get your appointment for parking three to four weeks ahead of the trip (there is no parking there without an online reserved parking time). Point Reyes could be a couple of days or three or four hours, depending on how much time you have (whales in April or so, an elk herd, and elephant seals can sometimes be seen). Avenue of the Giants is a slower, relaxing drive. It is the old Hwy 101 so you access it from that highway and it runs parallel to it.
One problem you may encounter near the ocean is misting. It makes long shots less clear than they would otherwise be.
One problem you may encounter near the ocean is misting. It makes long shots less clear than they would otherwise be.
Apr 6, 2022 19:20:28 #
Apr 6, 2022 19:46:40 #
Not sure if you are going to be stopping in San Francisco proper for photo opportunities, but if you do be careful with your gear as there have been a number of people, locals and tourists, who have had expensive cameras and lenses stolen. Don't leave anything on your car and be aware of your surroundings when shooting at popular tourist destinations.
Apr 6, 2022 20:29:15 #
There is an area by Bodega Bay called Marshall. Quite a few oyster spots to eat and pretty scenery. Mendocino is very worthwhile. If you can manage to go inland to Sonoma wine country you will not be disappointed by the sites. Literally can take any road and wowed.
Apr 6, 2022 21:35:44 #
Rokko
Loc: Minneapolis
Stan A wrote:
There is an area by Bodega Bay called Marshall. Quite a few oyster spots to eat and pretty scenery. Mendocino is very worthwhile. If you can manage to go inland to Sonoma wine country you will not be disappointed by the sites. Literally can take any road and wowed.
There are also plenty of opportunities for rest stops, many of them featuring pleasant locally-made adult beverages.
Apr 7, 2022 00:44:34 #
Bunch of years ago I was in Frisco on business, allocated a day for a side trip along the Coast Hwy from the Golden Gate area to Bodega Bay. It was an interesting drive along all those twisting curves and turns marked with speed limits of 20 mph and they were not kidding. However, never made it to Bodega Bay; it was in late April and the highway was not in the best shape with numerous caution signs noting potential mudslide areas. When I got to the northern end of Marin County the highway was completely closed due to flooding. No way I was going to drive south on that highway, especially after dark....no guardrails on the ocean side of the highway. I dead reckoned my way inland until I hit the Interstate and took it back to Frisco. Was disappointed I never made it to Bodega Bay. As for scenery, the entire Oregon Coast gets my vote especially from Coos Bay to just north of Brookings; Brookings was a little too much "California" for me after having travelled a few years on business in the L A and Frisco and Sacramento areas. Have fun!!!
Apr 7, 2022 15:59:26 #
There's a road that very few people know that runs from Ferndale to about Petrolia along what is known as the
Lost Coast".
Ferndale is a sight unto itself with many late 19th century restored buildings.
From Ferndale take Mattole Rd over to the coast and stay along the coast until the road finally turns inland through the Humboldt Redwoods state park.
You'll be rewarded with many miles of no other tourists while you enjoy many vistas of the coast. Humboldt Redwoods is nice too and you'll be coming in from a side of the park that few people go to with a beautiful drive through magnificent redwoods.
I'd suggest doing this southbound and allow 2.5 - 3 hours when you stop for photos or just to enjoy the unpopulated beaches. .
Lost Coast".
Ferndale is a sight unto itself with many late 19th century restored buildings.
From Ferndale take Mattole Rd over to the coast and stay along the coast until the road finally turns inland through the Humboldt Redwoods state park.
You'll be rewarded with many miles of no other tourists while you enjoy many vistas of the coast. Humboldt Redwoods is nice too and you'll be coming in from a side of the park that few people go to with a beautiful drive through magnificent redwoods.
I'd suggest doing this southbound and allow 2.5 - 3 hours when you stop for photos or just to enjoy the unpopulated beaches. .
Apr 7, 2022 17:18:05 #
It's been many years but the view of waves hitting the rocks in Monterey, seen from the coast highway, was pretty spectacular.
Apr 8, 2022 22:55:29 #
buckbrush
Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon
Gabyto wrote:
Highway 101 to high 1 goes by the coast and is beautiful. Also be very careful with your camera gear in SF. The robbery of cameras is pretty high and the robbers usually have guns. I live in the the Bay Area, so I am not exaggerating. Here's the website www.onlyinyourstate.com
Have a safe and great time.
Have a safe and great time.
IMHO, The sooner you can get out of San Fran and go north the better off you'll be.
Apr 9, 2022 01:33:03 #
Rokko
Loc: Minneapolis
buckbrush wrote:
IMHO, The sooner you can get out of San Fran and go north the better off you'll be.
Tastes vary. I find the parts of coastal California north of San Francisco to be more scenic and relaxing than San Francisco, but San Francisco has some pretty fabulous things to see, photograph, and do (and, yes, some pretty nasty places and things to avoid).
Apr 9, 2022 02:07:54 #
Rokko
Loc: Minneapolis
If you are driving north on Hwy 101, consider getting off at the scenic overlook on the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge. There are good photo opportunities at the overlook. Instead of immediately getting back on the highway, go under the highway to Conzelman Drive and head south and west to Vista Golden Gate. You can take pictures of San Francisco through the bridge there, just like so many others have done. Parking might be a problem. Continuing west on Conzelman Drive, take a right at the roundabout and park in the nearby parking lot. With a short hike up the hill there are more photo opportunities. Again, parking may be a problem.
This will probably take an hour or so. If you take McCollough Road to Bunker Road, you can leave the area through the Baker-Barry Tunnel and then proceed to Sausalito, which is a nice, small, bay-side city, before getting back on Hwy 101.
Consult Google maps for directions.
This will probably take an hour or so. If you take McCollough Road to Bunker Road, you can leave the area through the Baker-Barry Tunnel and then proceed to Sausalito, which is a nice, small, bay-side city, before getting back on Hwy 101.
Consult Google maps for directions.
Apr 9, 2022 06:30:00 #
stangage wrote:
There's a road that very few people know that runs... (show quote)
Thank you! I just included this in our travel plans.
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