Toolking Loc: Pacific Northwest

Go north on Highway One
South on US 101

Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

I don't think anyone mentioned the Marine Mammal Center in the Marin headlands just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. They rescue and rehabilitate injured and sick marine animals and release them back into the ocean when well. It is open 10 to 4 daily and if you are interested in nature and animals, it is a great place to visit.

http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/about-us/

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Not inexepenisive but true. However it's a place to stay for several days and take trips from, not a quick overnight or you don't get the benefit.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Do your geographic and travel research properly. Highway 1 is California coast, spectacular, and lots of fun if you can and enjoy driving the twisties.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Bits of it do, but New England doesn't have the Pacific coastline. The Atlantic in New England is pretty wimpy in comparison to the Pacific.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Well said, Harvey!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

It varies day by day. You know not of what you speak. It can also vary significantly by location with our micro climates.

Last week we got drenched - an atmospheric river aka pineapple express- today was glorious. We sailed out beyond the golden gate on a friend's ocean going trimaran. We got a bit sunburned and needed nothing other than shirts and jeans. We had the rest, but not needed today, although the swells and water can get a bit choppy when you go from the bay to the ocean.

These friends live on their vessel, and are just finishing up circumnavigating the Pacific.

An open top vehicle can be fine in Northern CA, just pick the day and be prepared. Expect the unexpected.

Having a flexible schedule helps you adapt to the circumstances.

donb17

Agreed.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Absolutely true. At this time of year if you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Last time I was there - several years ago, we stayed in a cliff top cabin and could photograph ospreys fishing from the back porch. And yes, the malt whiskey collection is fabulous. I asked them about one of my favorites, and they offered me a choice of different ages of this particular malt, and we had a great discussion about it.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

Don't plan your trip on the assumption that you will do 300 or 400 miles a day. Unless the road has substantially changed since I last drove it in the 60's, the highway is one lane in each direction often winding and many drivers are sightseeing. As a result, you will be driving at no more than 35 MPH most of the time.

Be sure and stop a Fort Ross which is not too far north of San Francisco. It is the southernmost post where Russians established a colony from 1812 to 1842. The wooden buildings you will see are all carefully researched reproductions because over the years, the original and many reproduced structures were burned to the ground by wildfires.

rothphotog Loc: Orlando, FL

I'll cast another vote for Mendocino. Have been going there for 38 years. Lots of photo ops. The entire town is in the National Register of Historic Places. No visible power lines, no MacDonalds, one gas station.

bittermelon

Isn't that what I said? Learn to read please. If OP was expecting that famous California sunshine with his open top mustang, he may be surprised by how cold and wet Northern Calif can be. Sure it can be sunny and warm, but also rainy and cold.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

No that wasn't what you said, you omitted the good days. I can read, I hope that you can also. We're talking Northern California, not Bay Watch, as you suggested by implication, but it varies from one extreme to another. Your post was very negative in tone, and misleading. There can be perfect open top days driving up the coast, yet they can also be miserable, and you can go through several climates in a very few miles. I live here in San Francisco, and I love driving route 1 both north and south. Yesterday we were sailing with friends on the bay and beyond the gate. We took all the bad weather gear just in case, but didn't need it, although taking layers and being prepared was a good thing. Two days earlier it would have been miserable on the boat.

It's much more complicated than you suggested. An open top vehicle is a convertible, it can be buttoned down and keep you warm and dry. Living here, I'd be more than happy to drive a convertible up the coast, although I might not choose a rented Mustang unless it's one of the ones that actually has the suspension and handling to deal with twisty roads. Some of the lower end models steer like a cow.

We do not know what the OP's expectations are.

bittermelon

No we do not know what the OP's expectations are, that's why the use of the term "if". That is, **if** he expects sunshine all the time like on TV, then he may be sadly mistaken. "if", "may", those are modifiers you need to pay attention to when you read.

Now you can have the last word if you so wish. (Again, the use of "if".)