Hello,
I am off to San Francisco and Napa in a few weeks and had a few questions:

1-I am leaving for Napa area on a Sunday morning, and am planning to stop in Muir Woods on the way over. Are there any good places for breakfast along the way that are not too far off the highway? Also, the Muir Woods website advises that people arrive early to the Park on weekends, as parking is limited. What time should I plan on getting there to best avoid this problem?

2-My flight home leaves at 1:05 from SFO. I will be driving from Napa to the airport. How long does this drive usually take, and are there any traffic hangups to try to avoid?

Thanks so much in advance for any advice!

Melissa,

not all in the same day, right?

1) On your way to Muir woods, you could have breakfast in Sausalito at a place called The Lighthouse, very tasty breakfasts.

2) is your flight home on a weekend or a week day? it makes a difference. Morning traffic down through Marin can be a breeze, or a hellacious back-up.

I would give myself 3 hours to get the car returned and to the airport, eg, I'd leave Napa around 9am.

Melissa,

The earlier response about the different traffic conditions on weekdays vs. weekends makes a good point.

However, I disagree that your best route from Napa to SFO is through Marin. I would avoid that route and plan on traveling through Vallejo and then onto I-80 through Western Contra Costa county and over the Bay Bridge.

A 1:05 departure should help with traffic conditions, but you should be prepared to allow at least 2 hours just in case of traffic tie-ups or accidents.

I would estimate you have about 50 miles to travel. Check out a road map. And be sure to check with your airline to see how early you need to arrive at the airport.

I think I have the perfect place for you:
The Mountain Home Inn on the road to Mt Tam and Muir Woods. I was enchanted by the location and the food was lovely.

Look at www.mtnhomeinn.com

LMF

I agree with Dee Dee about the route to Napa. Through Marin is very long, and the highways east of the bay are not bad. Just the Bay Bridge but you will not be on it too long.

About breakfast on the way to Muir Woods. There is a great place in the Fairfield just east of Mill Valley, just off Sir francis Drake Blvd. I forget the name, but it is on the main drag, with little shops along the street. It is a Cafe that always is crowded, with tables and a counter. The food is good and plentiful, and coffee good too.

Melissa,

For sure you want to avoid driving through SF on the way to SF airport. I agree with the first part of DeeDee's route: take 8O however, instead of taking the Oakland Bay Bridge, from 80 take 880 south to the San Mateo Bridge (92 West). This would be faster than either going through the Peninsula via Marin or Oakland.

Thanks a lot for the advice so far. I should have specified that my flight out is on a Wednesday. Will check out a road map to plan my route to the airport.
Thanks again.

for breakfast try the Parkside Cafe in Stinson Beach or The Dipsea Cafe in Mill Valley both are on your way to Muir Woods.

As for timing for Muir Woods--the earlier the better. We tried to always get there within the hour after opening. Not because the parking lot is small, but to beat the tour bus groups from the city. It's the sort of place you want to experience in silence, not with crowds.