Trip to Napa then to Monterey and then the California Rte 1
Jun 11, 2016 06:43:26 #
Jun 11, 2016 06:45:23 #
Jun 11, 2016 08:30:26 #
Jim S wrote:
We are planning a three week trip. Questions what do we NOT want to miss? Where do you suggest we stay?
Thinking that we'd return to S.F. via highway 101. We are planning to go as far south as Santa Maria. Should we go farther south? Or not even that far.
Thanks
Thinking that we'd return to S.F. via highway 101. We are planning to go as far south as Santa Maria. Should we go farther south? Or not even that far.
Thanks
Get in touch with AAA they have a ton of information on any region in the country.
Jun 11, 2016 09:17:13 #
paulhw
Loc: Los Angeles
The best way to take Hwy 1 is going south. You are then on the ocean side, and while the drive takes a lot more attention (be very careful!) the views are much better. Have a good trip.
Jun 11, 2016 09:32:16 #
Jim S wrote:
We are planning a three week trip. Questions what do we NOT want to miss? Where do you suggest we stay?
Thinking that we'd return to S.F. via highway 101. We are planning to go as far south as Santa Maria. Should we go farther south? Or not even that far.
Thanks
Thinking that we'd return to S.F. via highway 101. We are planning to go as far south as Santa Maria. Should we go farther south? Or not even that far.
Thanks
In addition to the excellent suggestions already provided you might want to continue on to Santa Barbara. It's only a little over an hour south of Santa Maria via the 101. If you do visit there be sure to take in the Santa Barbara Mission and the store fronts along State Street. If you are interested in college campuses a tour around the University of Santa Barbara which is just north of SB in Goleta would be in order. It's a beautiful campus set right on the Pacific Ocean (not to mention my alma mater!) Enjoy your trip and sent photos!!
Jun 11, 2016 09:43:59 #
If you go to Santa Maria, go a little further south to Solvang. A lovely throwback to its Danish roots of a century. Touristy yet quaint and photogenic.
Jun 11, 2016 10:03:36 #
A little (and I mean little) town of Harmony which is a few miles south of Hearst Castle. It has a glass forge/making with the usual shop selling the wares. But it is great for photo ops. You'll have to really pay attention to the road signs as it is not a major exit! Check a map. If you get down further South of Santa Maria and are looking for a touristy place, Solvang off US 101 is a quaint place to visit, good food and the usual tourist shops with a Scandinavian touch. You can even see an ostrich farm on the way into Solvang from 101. Buellton is the turnoff to Solvang. Check out the Split Pea Soup. Some nice scenery along California route 1 from San Simeon down to Pismo Beach. I have a niece who lives near Pismo and go to the beach for photos ops.
Jun 11, 2016 10:26:35 #
bfur396 wrote:
A little (and I mean little) town of Harmony which... (show quote)
If you are talking food and like ribs, try A J Spurs Saloon on 246 in Buellton.
Jun 11, 2016 10:55:53 #
Jim S wrote:
We are planning a three week trip. Questions what do we NOT want to miss? Where do you suggest we stay?
Thinking that we'd return to S.F. via highway 101. We are planning to go as far south as Santa Maria. Should we go farther south? Or not even that far.
Thanks
Thinking that we'd return to S.F. via highway 101. We are planning to go as far south as Santa Maria. Should we go farther south? Or not even that far.
Thanks
Hello Jim,
We made a similar trip over the memorable weekend, but from So. Cal. up to San Francisco, CA. along CA-1 with brief detours on US-101. You did not state where your starting point would be in CA. You did indicate a return to SF on 101, so my suggestion is to plan your trip on CA-1 Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and travel US-101 when required.
If you do not have family or friends in Santa Maria, I wouldn’t waste the time and gas going that far South. Plan your trip from Marin County (N. San Francisco) South to Morro Bay. You will discover breath taking scenic views along the coast with an abundance of wild creatures near roadside turnouts.
Your best plan for your visit is to look at Google Earth along the highway rout for turnouts that are not marked on a normal AAA map. The Southbound route will provide many more turnouts on the West side of the highway, making stopping a lot safer.
If planning on visiting lighthouses for photos research the light station for open hours, many close early and on week days. Hearst Castle (San Simeon) has an hour long tour of the interior and exterior of the property and a bus ride from the visitor center to the castle. When you are finished at the castle you can stop by the Elephant Seal Rookery and photograph the Seals lounging on the beaches at Piedras Blancas.
In San Francisco you could spend a week visiting all the attractions, from AT&T Park (SF Giants) to Coit Tower, to Fisherman’s Wharf. You will probably want to visit the Golden Gate Bridge to photograph the 7th wonder of the world. Consider planning on photographing both ends of the bridge and seaside and bayside. When you cross over the GG Bridge there will be a toll coming back to SF, if you plan ahead for this you may be able to get a quick pass to place on the dashboard to record your passage across the bridge without waiting in line for an open toll both.
Marin County provides some unique photo opportunities, the North end of the GG Bridge with two remarkable photo sites. One on the bayside and the other on the seaside at Spencer Battery. You can drive out to Bonita Point lighthouse and walk down a paved path to the light station and photograph it against the blue Pacific Ocean. (Check open status before driving out there). For a longer excursion you can drive up to Point Reyes light station. There you weill find another paved path to the light. (Be aware the light is a 3 story climb down concrete stairs and back up to the top). There is a landing at the top for photos.
On the way back you can stop in Sausalito for diner on the bay (make reservations at Scoma’s or any restaurant on the waterfront). There is a parking lot north of the restaurants.
Where to stay. Your best bet will be outside the City of San Francisco, hotels and parking will be a major problem, but the freeways will get you around nicely and the BART stops at all the major attractions (Bay Area Rapid Transit).
Suggestion: Visit the San Francisco Visitor Bureau for ideas, then use Google Earth to plan on how to get from point to point. If you are a member of AAA you can order street maps and suggested routes from SF to San Simeon.
Michael G
Jun 11, 2016 10:59:42 #
Try to include a visit to Hearst's Castle at San Simeon, CA. Well worth the stop.
Jun 11, 2016 11:02:44 #
Take a drive out to the Marin Headlands & point Bonita lighthouse for great views (golden gate bridge, San Francisco, the ocean & lighthouse.) I recommend early (sunrise) or sunset & dusk. Google a map for it and zoom for the local roads.
Jun 11, 2016 11:27:37 #
Jun 11, 2016 12:07:11 #
As a frequent visitor with lots of family there, I NEVER tire of driving on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway - US 1) from San Fran down as far as I have the time to go. Lots of stuff has been mentioned and it is all good, but there will be so much more it's impossible to mention everything. When in the area, I find it fun to eat on the Pebble Beach Golf Course if for nothing other than to say I've been there. I'd also suggest, if time permits, heading down into San Diego and visiting the zoo as I just adore Panda Bears. I would love to be in your shoes!
Jun 11, 2016 12:15:43 #
Jun 11, 2016 12:39:29 #
Not sure if anybody has mentioned yet the tour of Alcatraz Island. A ferry takes you there. Note that you have to buy a ferry ticket in advance of your departure due to demand for it.
You could also do a ferry tour of San Francisco Bay. It gets you close to the GGB and AI.
You could also do a ferry tour of San Francisco Bay. It gets you close to the GGB and AI.
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