Just found this thread and want to offer my opinion about driving from SFO to Pacific Grove. Do not take Hwy 1. Instead, from the airport (SFO) take 101 south to 156. Head west on 156 (through Castroville) to Hwy 1 south to Monterey/Pacific Grove. This is fastest and will allow you to spend more time in the area you want to see.

Skip the Monterey Bay Aquarium but try to add at least an hour in Point Lobos State Park.

Considering Alcatraz night, I'd suggest getting a good-sized early dinner before your tour and getting a late-night snack afterward.

Do not take Hwy 1. Instead, from the airport (SFO) take 101 south to 156. Head west on 156 (through Castroville) to Hwy 1 south to Monterey/Pacific Grove. This is fastest and will allow you to spend more time in the area you want to see.

But it is not half as scenic and not that much faster.

Michael...like you say...we don't mind the drive down Hwy. 1 taking a little bit longer. We will hopefully have some good photo ops and minimal fog!

Driving back is up in the air as far as the route we will take.

The more scenic part of 1 north of Carmel is between just south of Pacifica and just north of Santa Cruz. So you can't go wrong if you choose to connect with I at either Pacifica or HMB. However between Pacifica and Montara (north of HMB) is more dramatic, as it is carved out of steep cliff sides and hugs the coast.. This is the stretch of 1 with the infamous Devil's Slide and which will probably not be open to cars once the Devil's Slide bypass tunnel is completed. From Santa Cruz south to Monterey, I is mostly a four-lane highway, with limited coastal views (although there are some lovely places to explore, if you get off the road, such as Capitola and Elkhorn Slough).

Thanks SAB...what about the redwoods in Big Basin or Henry Cowell State Park? How much time should be allowed to stop at one of those and which would you recommend.

We have almost decided to skip trying to get over to Sausalito and Muir Woods unless we have time on our last full day in SF. Hubby would prefer to see SF attractions as the priority.

Well if you are coming south on 1, I think Henry Cowell is the nearest to reach on route 9. Getting to Big Basin will take longer. However, I think you are trying to cover too much in one drive.

I actually was thinking of stopping at Henry Cowell on the way back to SF.

We had a wonderful time on our trip to Northern California...but it was too short!

I will try to post a trip report. I'm always bad and start planning my next vacation shortly after my return from the last. I then never get around to posting all the details!

Will try to do better this time.