We are travelling from Fort Bragg to Carmel over a 3 day period in September and we don't want to go via San Francisco - any suggestions as to route, sights to see and where to stay would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

Do you not want to go through SF so as to avoid city traffic? The route through SF from the north is actually pretty easy and is the most direct route. Also, it will keep you on the coast, which is the most scenic area.

If you want to avoid SF, you could head south from Fort Bragg to Sonoma County, then head inland through Sonoma and/or Napa valleys. Then you could go south through the East Bay (Hwy 880 or 680). Once you are south of SF, then you could head back toward the coast.

Taking Hwy 128 to 101 and then picking up I-280 south would be the most direct route. From 280, you would have several options for cutting over to the coast. This would take you through San Francisco.

Alternatively, you could take 128 south to Napa Valley and then take a combination of Hwy 29, 12, and I-680 south to San Jose. This would take you through the Concord, Walnut Creek, Dublin (or Tri-Valley) area. Then in San Jose there are several routes to Carmel, the most direct being going south on 101 to Hwy 156 which goes to Hwy 1 just north of Monterey. Both of these could be done in 1 day with none or few stops.

If you have 3 days, why not take Hwy 1 all the way? This would be the most scenic unless you want to spend time in the Napa or Sonoma wine country. Why don't you want to go via SF?

"we don't want to go via San Francisco"

Is there a particular reason you want to avoid San Francisco? If not - through SF would by far be the easiest/most direct way to go.

No big deal - so go thru the east bay. Kind of out of the way - BUT you didn't want to go thru SF.

STUPID - YES!

That was rude monik. Lets at least find out what Ribchester has in mind before making any conclusions about the inteligence of his or her plan.

We're starting in San Francisco and going up Highway 1 to Fort Bragg - the only reason we want to avoid San Francisco on the way back is to take a different route and see other places.

Why are you staying in Fort Bragg over Mendocino? Just wondering. There's a gorgeous winery a bit north of FB called Pacific Star Winery. Just gorgeous...sits almost ON the ocean- great stop for a picnic. If you drive 128 there are many outstanding small wineries. A gorgeous drive.

Well, if you are starting in SF and taking Hwy 1 north, then take 128 and then 101 south to SF. You can then take a different route through the city and head down Hwy 1 from SF to Carmel. This is a lot more scenic than driving through the East Bay. On your way back, just come up 101 and 280 to SFO.