Hello All ~ and kawh and janisj, thank you for your concern~ but we fortunately left the SF area on Friday, before the fires. My heart aches thinking of all that lovely territory destroyed and dear people affected by the fires!!
StuDudley, et al ~ thank you so much for your recommendations! We drove up from Monterey - and then back to the airport rental car return - pretty much as you said, taking 280 to Rt 1 up through the Park and onto 19th (and then the reverse) and the traffic was no more or less than one would expect in a big city. Piece-o-cake!
We really loved Northern California, what a gorgeous place with some awesome people (and great food!). Thanks again!