Hi—Trying to get some info on Leg 4/Carmel to San Francisco, of a weeklong first trip to West Coast. We are really looking forward to seeing the Pacific. We’re not big on shopping (but would like to find shops with rock, wood, other natural crafted stuff), one of us on a cane, so a little slow on walking but do have disabled parking permit. Mainly want to take in the ocean views, see a little of the mission-era sites. Usually look for accommodations of the AAA 3-diamond type, but anything okay if clean, safe, decent, and where a non-smoking reservation is met with a non-smoking room, breakfast a plus—won’t be spending much time there. If you can answer any questions, provide helpful comments, or tell me if I am way off-base, or getting ripped off, I would greatly appreciate it!

Day 1
Planning to leave from Carmel and travel on the coast through Monterey and Santa Cruz, trying to take in a few stops/vistas—any suggestions? Thinking to continue on coast all the way to San Francisco if the views are good from the road—are they? Want to arrive in SF by early afternoon. Fairly sure we will stay at Best Western Fisherman’s Wharf ($118).

Rest of Day 1 and Day 2 in San Francisco

Lots to do but not much time, so trying to see how to fit the wharf, a cable car ride, possibly take a “motorized cable car” tour of the city---anyone familiar with that tour? Want to go over Golden Gate Bridge, either on tour and/or drive over it (if so, maybe a quick look around Sausalito). Actually, would love to try walking over the Golden Gate Bridge, if we could find somewhere very near to rent or borrow a wheelchair—anyone know a place? Any advice on how/where to ride the cable cars? Powell-Mason line said to be near the wharf? “The wharf” is a little confusing—is Pier 39 considered a part of the wharf---i.e. what actually constitutes “the wharf”? Also, is “the wharf”, whatever, wherever that is, open at night, and if so, is it well-lit and safe?

Need to be at the airport by 1:45 on Day 2 to drop off the car. How to best fit things in?

Suggestions/advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

The views are very nice from Santa Cruz to San Francisco and very, very green right now with all the rain. There isn't a lot between Santa Cruz and SF except green hills and ocean. Near Half Moon Bay there are some road side fruit stands that might be worth a stop.
I think the Powell- Mason line drops you off a little bit west of Pier 39, not sure though. The Pier 39/ Fisherman's Wharf is a large area running along the waterfront, Peir 39 is part of Fisherman's wharf. It's safe during the day but at night I wouldn't stray too far.

The highway between Santa Cruz and SF is one of my favorite stretches. You guys will have driven through Big Sur a few days previously - right? This area is much different than Big Sur and I find the contrast to be very nice. The San Mateo coast as it is known since most of it is in San Mateo county is more open than the Big Sur coast, with long stretches of beach and quite a bit of agriculture along the way.

Half Moon Bay is a really nice little town with a good Main Street. We like to go there for breakfast on the weekends some times to a busy little cafe called the Main Street Grill.

Pescadero is just south of HMB a little ways, and it is a little place with a terrific restaurant called Duarte's Tavern. It's been there for generations and is famous for their ollalieberry pie and artichoke soup.

If your timing works out, these are good places to stop.

The cable car turn around for the Powell Mason line is just west of the FW area, but only by a block or so. I'd go to that area during the day because a lot of the shops close at night. Plus you don't get the views and some areas around there can get a little dodgy as the crowds disappate. I wouldn't worry too much about it, it's just not really a nightlife area of town.

Day 1 suggestion.

Just North of Monterey, is the artichoke capital of the US, Castroville. There are number of roadside stands, the biggest is Pezzini farms (www.pezzinifarms.com) which has fresh chokes as well as countless other prepared foods (namely garlic and artichokes). They're just off of highway 1 on one of the main side roads. They always have something out to sample as well. At most a 15-30min pit stop, but it's one of the things I enjoy about travelling around CA - the chance to stop in and see where much I the food I eat is grown and sample some as well.

Watsonville (strawberry territory) is just a few miles east of there, and there are some strawberry farms along highway 1 as well.

Hmm, while you're at it, you could head another 15min east to Gilroy - garlic capital then head back south to Salinas for lettuce fields.

This post is making me hungry - time to go make dinner - farm fresh to my home 3000 miles away just isn't quite the same though.

viamar, J_Correa, and J62, thanks for your helpfulness!

Funny, Pete the green grocer type guy on the news was just doing a spot on the baby artichokes and they looked really good. From the info all of you have provided, I'd say that we can plan to eat well all the way to SF!

Still pondering the final details of this leg of a trip that actually starts in San Diego.

Thanks again!

Remember that cable car rides are filed with tourist and you have to wait in line for a bit depending on the time of year, and weather. They are hoever, IMHO, a must for anyone who comes to SF. There is a fun tour that leaves from the Cannery (at the wharf)- The Red Fire Truck tour (?) It is an actual old fire truck that this very fun couple have modified to carry people. You drive thru the City, over the bridge thru Sausalito, down to Baker Beach and then back to the city to the Cannery. I have taken this trip and love it. Check with your hotel at the Wharf about it and they can direct you as to how to get tickets, etc.

Do remember that to get from the Wharf down to the airport could take over an hour depending on traffic so think about that when you are planning your day in the CIty. You might not get to do all the things you want to do with having to leave so early.

The drive up the coast is magnificient. Just drove it the other day from santa cruz and realized how blessed I am that I get to look at this any time I want to. There are numerous beaches where you can pull over to stop and admire the views and picnic if you want (have to bring your own food however). It is very green right now and Oh so beautiful. Enjoy