We are visiting California in mid July. We have a few days in SF before hireing an SUV and heading south down Highway 1.

We will actually pick up the vehicle the day before we leave SF so I wondered what people could suggest for a days drive. We would like to go north as we will be going south later, (and visiting Yosemite).

The main thing is that we don't want to drive too far, say 100-150 miles the round trip. We would be interested in seeing the redwoods, but I think they might be too far north, and maybe some wine areas. It can be a full day say, 9am to 9pm, back in Union Square.

Any ideas?

Peter
UK

You could visit Muir Woods across the bridge in Marin County. It would be a nice day trip to a lovely grove of redwood trees.

-Bill

Muir Woods is a good idea. You would have more time to go further north to Point Reyes/ Inverness (taking Hwy 1) if you wanted to. Or you could head inland to Sonoma, which has a great town square and is in wine country. Just keep in mind, it could be hot inland in July.

Oh, via MapQuest Irverness is just under 90 miles round trip from the city.

You could go to Sonoma and visit Jack London State Park which has the remains of his Wolf House and also the house his wife built with all the memorabilia of their South pacific trip. Nearby is the Benziger winery. You would could visit other wineries that you come across along the way--Cline comes to mind. If you come back soon enough, you could stop by Muir Woods.

If you do not have the time, you can visit several areas on the way south that have redwoods. Henry Cowell State Park in Felton is one possibility, or Big Basin a little farther inland.

Further thoughts: Go to the town of Sonoma, pick up picnic items and picnic next to Wolf House, there's a picnic table right there (the others are in the parking lot of the park and are not very attractive).

Healdsburg & Calistoga - both towns in Sonoma and Napa respectively. Drive up one way, have lunch hit wineries, drive back down the other way.