gwdupree

I would recommend photographing some of the California Spanish missions. You will be very near several of them along Highway 101. Hearst Castle, several wineries, Elephant Seal sanctuary, several types of birds, lots of other photo opportunities.

hharald Loc: Tucson, AZ

McWay Falls is an 80-foot waterfall that flows year-round in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, about 37 miles south of Carmel, California. The waterfall is one of two in the region that fall directly into the ocean.

fromo1946 Loc: Sacramento, CA

It'a all good, just pace yourself, and shoot all you've got...please post your shots when you get back. I've necver been disappointed with any of the locations you'll be seeing, enjoy.

fromo1946 Loc: Sacramento, CA

Oh, the capital is in Sacramento, it's worthy of a visit, Old Sacramento is west of the downtown area, quaint but can't hold a candle to beautiful San Francisco...

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

I want to thank everyone - great help.
We may not be going until September of 2017 - it appears to be too late to make reservation. Unfortunately !

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

Good thinking, especially if you want to stay in or near Yosemite! Hope the trip goes well and we haven't fallen into the Pacific Ocean by then!

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Monterrey Bay Aquarium. Big Sur. Esalen. That whole drive down Hiway 1 presents great vistas all along the way. Oh and several lighthouses, Pigeon Point, Pt. Sur, Monterrey and many more.

anotherview Loc: California

Hearst Castle, the Alcatraz Island Ferry, and a decent room in San Francisco (typically) will require a reservation. You may wish to get a travel agent involved in parts of your trip, although most everything nowadays can happen via the Internet.

For tBragg Guy Loc: Fort Bragg Ca

There are lots of places south of SF to see but if you want the best coastal views then go north on 1.

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

Cambria at dawn can be good for sea otters. A good place to stay for Hearst Castle, elephant seals, and many other things. Good restaurants also, but a few only take cash....

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

[quote=Photocraig] I suggest driving California 1 south from San Francisco to Monterrey.

Gotta get picky, Craig. MonteRRey is in Mexico. MonteRey is in California. I agree with you. Highway 1 is the best route to see the scenery.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

In the Monterey area, must see spots are the Monterey Aquarium, 17 Mile Dr. in Pebble Beach, Ocean View Blvd. in Pacific Grove. The hospital at the top of Carmel Hill on Highway 1 was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. There is a walking tour of old Monterey that is well marked. I'm not sure where to get the map but, almost any of the hotels/motels can provide information. Enjoy the trip. My wife grew up in Monterey & we lived there for 12 years.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

The elephant seals at Ano Nuevo beach. In July, the bulls return to molt. And in the process, they can't help themselves and practice their fighting. This includes the juvenile males who are already practicing with each other.

The females are there in May and gone in June to molt. Molting means that they get a brand new fur coat. The females are boring to watch. They just lay around, packed like sardines. But the males when they arrive just can't help themselves and it is a free for all.

Ano Nuevo is a CA state park, and there is a park fee. Used to be $6. Perhaps it has gone up. And you have to walk out about 1.5 miles to where the elephant seals hang out.


If you get to Monterey, go out on a whale watching boat. During summer, there are always Humpbacks, and if conditions are right, some blue whales will show up.

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

JimH,

Just North of San Simeon is Piedras Blancas, there are roadside turnouts, and it is not a State Park. No parking fees. The better roadside parking lots are South of Piedras Blancas Light Station.

Michael G

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Your choice of Sept is good as the further after summer the better for the No. CA coast actually Oct is better because of the "FOG"- Mark Twain said it best "The coldest winter he ever experienced was as SUMMER in San Francisco". I was at the North end of the GG bridge June 8th the FOG was in the temp was 63% and the wind was 25 mph- good thing I just go there one day every 3 months for 30 mi Dr. appointment.
As for the trip to the Napa Wine country I suggest doing a loop around it going north up CA #29 on the west side to Callastoga - spending the evening/night there at one of the inns with hot mineral water baths -don't forget to visit and photo the "Old Faithful" geyser there too - then head back down the east side of the valley back to Napa on Silverado Trail- I will not even attempt to mention which wineries to visit as there are just too many - the only one I feel I have on my bucket list is the Castle reproduction that is on #29 a few miles before Calastoga. The area north of the Golden Gate/Marin Headlands is full of photo ops - tour maps of these areas are defiantly called for.
The drive south from SF is best by starting right off on hwy #1 down thru Pacifica- Half Moon Bay - Santa Cruz- Monte ray-all the way to Moro Bay- we have taken up to 5 days to drive that area.

3 weeks will just give you a start on visiting the fantastic location of No. CA.
Harvey in the Sierras