Maggie101

Planning a six day road trip the first of May up the California coast starting in LA. We will do the first leg rather quickly since we have already gone north out of LA before just never as far as San Francisco. We are planning a day for the 49 mile drive in SF and then up through wine country. We are having a hard time deciding to go north from SF and see the Redwoods or go east to Tahoe. We fly home out of San Francisco. Any suggestions?

Michael

I do not think that the 49 mile drive ion SF proper is worthwhile. I would rather choose a few places to see and go to the various locations by public transportation.

How far north have you gone on hwy 1? If you have seen the Big Sur area, it might be better to do an inland trip (Sequoia, Yosemite, Tahoe) and then go back to SF.

Michael

On the other hand, I would forget Tahoe because of the limited time.

frank_and_beans

I think you have three realistic options

1. Drive straight from LA to SF. Explore SF for a few days. Visit the wine country for a day. Maybe visit the Marin Headlands.

2. Make the LA to SF drive in two days and stop of in Cambria or Carmel for the night. Spend a few days in SF. Skip wine country

3. Drive LA to Yosemite or Tahoe. Spend 2 days. Then drive to SF for 2 days.

I don't think in 6 days you can visit coastal CA, SF, wine country, and Tahoe.

Maggie101

Thanks for your reply. We have never been to big Sur area and are anxious to see it. We want the hightlights of San Francisco but are really interested in spending our limited time away from the city and enjoying the beauty California has to offer. Go north from SF? Go east from SF?

BarbAnn

Personally, I would head north to the redwood country. I live in northern California (half way between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe). I have been to both areas many times. I am in awe of the magnificent trees every time I walk among them. A nice place to stop is the Benbow Inn near Garberville. Old inn that sits on the river..beautiful setting. Also, the drive from San Francisco north is so much nicer than the drive to Lake Tahoe.

trippinkpj

I personally, would focus on south of San Francisco mostly along the coast. And there are great redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountain about an hour (or a little longer) south of San Francisco.

trippinkpj

I meant the Santa Cruz mountains area. Big Basin and Henry Cowell State parks are the two main ones.

Grassshopper

I'd like to offer another opinion. I think the 49 mile drive is a great way to see all of what SF has to offer. A friend and I did it recently and saw views we, as locals, haven't even seen. Do print a map first. Some of the sign posts are missing and we got lost a few times.

I think a great day trip is a loop through Sonoma county. Drive over the bridge and up to Healdsburg. Then head out along Eastside Road to the Russian River and make a quick drive up to Armstrong Redwoods, a very nice old grove. Back to River Road and out to highway 1 south will take you through Bodega Bay. Cut back in on 116 and through Sebastapol and back to 101. You'll see a huge variety of what's best about No. California, vineyards (and the opportunity to taste wine), the Russian River, the Coast, and the countryside.

frank_and_beans

if you really only want to spend 1 day in SF then you have more options.

I'd still vote for coastal CA (2 days)and Sonoma County (2 days) and save Yosemite and Tahoe for the next time.

Maggie101

Thank you all so much for your advice. There is so much we want to see and time is so short. Tahoe is out this trip. We are going to concentrate on CA coast, SF, and wine country. Hopefully we will see some of the big trees along the way. A hot air balloon ride is a must. Can you recomend one over the other? We are not big wine drinkers but I am very interested in the process. Any suggestions on a winery tour? The choices are endless.

adnil1962

The drive from LA to SF on highway 1 is incredible - don't miss it!! I would stay someplace 1/2 way so that you could enjoy at your leisure over 2 days. We stop in Cambria and stay someplace on Moonstone Beach.

I agree that the 49 mile drive isn't worth it - pick some sites in the city which you'd enjoy and just see thouse on foot.

We enjoyed walking to and biking over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sonoma and Oakville (Oakville grocery, Plumjack, Silver Oak, Cakebread & Mondavi) in wine country were both great.

We are hikers and enjoyed Muir Woods as well - Tahoe was also great but we were there in winter for the skiing.