We were thinking about maybe driving down the coast from San Francisco to Santa Cruz. We would like to go on down to the Monterey/Carmel area, but figure it was a little far for a leisurely trip. Any ideas on what we should see along the way? I know that there is a wine region in the area, is it far out of the way? Any really good wineries? Any help on planning this day trip would be really appreciated.

I've lived in Santa Cruz, definitely worth to take a day trip from SF.
Make sure to take Highway 1 along the coast. It takes a little longer, but it's absolutely beautiful. Near Davenport there is a spot where, if you're lucky, you may see whales going by the coast. Also check out Año Nuevo wildlife park, you can see sea elephants. Concerning wineries, I only know the Bonny Doon (?) winery. Nice place to visit. One the way back you can take Highway 9 / highway 17 through the Santa Cruz mountains.
I agree Monterey is too far for a day trip.

Just south of Davenport, on Hwy 1 there is a turn off to Bonny Doon. Drive in 3 miles and you are at the tasting room of the Bonny Doon vineyards. It's right after the road splits around a big tree and at a curve--you would hit the tasting room if you did went on a straight line.

I agree with Matt's suggestion to come down Hwy 1 from SF. It is a really nice drive. If you get on the road early, Half Moon Bay is a nice breakfast stop. They've got an old-timey diner called the Main St Cafe that is good. It is a family run place, very casual, not a lot of attention paid to decor, tastey food.

While you are in Santa Cruz, you should head downtown to Pacific Avenue - this is an outdoor mall and very Santa Cruzian. Even if you aren't into shopping, the people-watching is fun. At least walk around a little bit. *Most* of the stores are independent. Have a coffee at the Santa Cruz Roasting Co.

On the west side on W. Cliff Dr. is an old lighthouse turned into a surf museum - definitely worth a stop. If the tides are right, you will see some terrific surfing there. This is a famous spot called Steamers Lane. Surf competitions are held there.

The wharf is good to visit - you can see some great views of the coastline from out there.

Of course, if it is summertime or a weekend reasonably close to summer, the Boardwalk will be open, which is a lot of fun. Even if you don't ride any rides, it is fun to walk through it, maybe play some carnival games and have a chocolate dipped cone.

If the weather is clear, you might want to drive up to the university - great views from there.

A little south of Santa Cruz is Capitola Village - a nice little beachside area with several very walkable blocks, restaurants, and shops. And of course the beach.

I live in Santa Cruz, and I will second J. Correa's itinerary, with a few comments.

The main street of Santa Cruz is definitlty worth a stroll. It was, at one time, called "The Pacific Garden Mall" because in the 70's they took the cars off and made planters in the street, so it was, essentialy a mall.

Since then, they have put the cars back, in limited use, called it Pacific Avenue again, and lined it with trees and sidewalk cafes and sidewalk planters and boutique stores. It has a really good bookstore, Bookshop Santa Cruz, and J. Correa's mention of the Santa Cruz Roasting Company, a good coffee place.

If you go to the wharf (you should) walk to the end and listen for the barking of sea lions. If you hear them, look down through the cutouts in the wharf and watch them being lazy, sleeping on the beams, or cavorting.

Wineries. There are many wineries in the Santa Cruz area. In addition to the Bonny Doon vineyards, which are rated highly, there is a winery in Soquel, Bargetto's, with a tasting room.

I am sure you can get a wine map from the Santa Cruz County Visitor's Bureau. I do not have a URL for that, googling various combinations might work. Or leave the word 'county' out and get the site for the city of Santa Cruz.

Soquel is one of the towns just south of Santa Cruz, before you get to Capitola, which J Correa mentioned.

Capitola is a cute, very touristy, town with an Esplanade. If you visit here, you might want to come in the late afternoon or early evening and have a good meal before driving back to the City. I can suggest the "Stockton Bridge Grill", which is on the Eslpanade right at the bridge where Soquel Creek comes into the Bay. It has an extensive and delicious menu of "small plates" and it is fun to order and share, and watch the seagulls swoop around.

The Santa Cruz campus of the University of California sits on hills above town. It was originally the Cowell Ranch, where, before the turn of the century (the 20th), Henry Cowell had a couple of limestone quarries and some kilns. I believe he also had cattle. He sent the limestone to San Francisco.

The campus sits on about 2000 acres of meadows and redwood forest and has drop-dead views of the Bay and Monterey. Some of the original ranch buildings and the barn are still in use, but converted to University affairs.

To get back to San Francisco I would take Hwy. 17 over the Santa Cruz Mountains. (It is not far...20-30 minutes or so). Just past Los Gatos, after you come down from the hill, you will find exits for Hwy 280. Take it north to San Francisco. This has been called "the most beautiful freeway in the world." It's all scenery. And fast.

I hope you have a wonderful day and eht weather is fine. You don't mention the time of year.