annetti

Thank you once again, SAB. With all Stu's suggestions of what to do and a couple of pizzas and ice-cream, I shall be well-prepared and happy during my two weeks in SF.

iamq

for Greens.

magialmemories

Great article Exploring SF by cable car
out today on msn.com

http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article...6471&GT1=41000

StuDudley

From the obove mentioned article:

>>POWELL-HYDE LINE: The Powell-Hyde line offers sweeping vistas of the ocean along Hyde Street.<<

I don't think the author knows the difference between the bay and the ocean.

Stu Dudley

FainaAgain

I was always under impression, the Bay is perpendicular Hyde St, not "along"

Silly me

Nyetzy

Hi Stu

thnks for the wonderful tips and itineraries posted. i will be in SF in mid dec and will do the detour route from the airport to half moon bay to the lombard motels. just a question, where should i turn off if my final destination is san jose instead without missing all the nice bits??

StuDudley

I assume that you plan to head south from Half Moon Bay to San Jose, instead of heading north into the City.

Actually, the route south is much more scenic than the route north, because it is almost all open & beautiful coastline. Lots of places to park the car, admire the coastline, walk on the beach, etc. When the in-laws visit us at Christmas, we most always grab a sandwich at the Bonita house on Main St in HMB, and drive south along the coast, stopping at a beach & have a picnic.

Once past HMB, the routes back inland are winding, scenic, and slow. You'll see more redwood trees than you ever thought existed.

I would drive down the coast till you have seen enough ocean, then head inland at Pescadero Beach, towards the town of Pescadero. Drive into the town of Pescadero & brouse through any shops that are open. There is a popular restaurant called Duarte's Tavern there that is kinda retro. They are famous for their artichoke soup - that I really didn't find that interesting (I love artichokes - had one last night). After Pescadero, keep heading inland. You'll really need a map to get to Hwy 280 because there are several roads you can take. I would perhaps take Hwy 84 through La Honda, Sky Londa, then Woodside, then on to 280. This is a very pretty drive.

Stu Dudley

Nyetzy

Actually I am thinking of taking the route you suggested frm SFO-Pacifica-Half Moon Bay-San Jose. I am just wondering how much time this whole route is going to take if we include Pescadero. We arrive SFO at about 11am in the morning and thinking of taking this detour en route to our friend's house where we will be staying the next few days. They are expecting us sometime in the afternoon.

I suppose we can take the same route the opposite way on our way back to SF as well.

StuDudley

My suggested route does not go through Pacifica. No need to do that - as I said the coast north of HMB is not as scenic as the coast south (except for the Devils Slide section). The coast portion south can be very fast - I often go 50-60 mph on that road. The route inland is slower. I would budget 2 1/2 - 3 hrs just to make sure. The sandwich shop in Half Moon Bay has excellent sandwiches - we go there often just to have one. There is an outside dining area where you can have the sandwich, and if the weather is too cool they will let you go into the "old time" bar/cafe to have your sandwich there. I would also add about 30 mins to browse Main St in Half Moon Bay - more if you have the time & you like to shop (it's more interting than Pescadero).

Stu Dudley

ljc4creb

notes for April

LizaMarie

StuDudley!!!
you helped me immensely while I was planning my trip to Italy for 2006. now here you are again while I am planning a trip to San Francisco. thank you as always for being a great resource

StuDudley

Bike Trip along the Bay, over the Bridge, and to Sausalito.

Here is what I would consider to be a perfect day by the Bay. Rent a bike at Blazing Saddles at Fisherman’s Wharf (or any other bike shop in the City). Blazing Saddles will provide a map and even a ferry ticket back to San Francisco from Sausalito.

Head out and ride next to the Bay through Ft Mason, along the Marina Green, by the St Francis Yacht Club, and along the "Golden Gate Promenade" through Crissy Field. Enjoy the views and lovely atmosphere (no commerce) along this section of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You’ll get a fabulous view of the Golden Gate Bridge. If it’s near lunch time, pick up some lunch provisions somewhere (Wharf), and have a picnic on one of the many picnic tables spread throughout Crissy Field – or bring a blanket & spread it out on one of the sandy beaches along the way. As you get into some white former-military buildings, look for a pier that’s marked as Fort Point Wharf on the AAA map. It is the last pier before the Golden Gate Bridge. Walk out on this pier & admire the fabulous views. Then continue on to Ft Point. Explore the structure & enjoy the history & views from the ramparts, if Ft Point is open when you’re there. If the surf is up, watch the surfers catch waves next to Ft Point – we love to do this. Turn around & look to the east for some great views of the downtown skyline – especially from the ramparts at Ft Point. Next, get ready for a hill climb and bike over the GG Bridge. At the north end of the bridge, there is a lookout point that is usually crowded with cars if the views are good. Then continue down to Sausalito. Sausalito has some tacky souvenir shops, but not nearly as bad nor as many as those at Fisherman’s Wharf. Also, the village architecture and views are much nicer at Sausalito than at the Wharf. After dawdling in Sausalito, take a ferry ride back to the Wharf.

Do this bike trip so you hit the Bridge in the afternoon on a week day. On weekends, bikers are not allowed on the east side of the bridge, which is the side with the views of SF. Also, in the morning the sun will be in your face for the views to SF from the GG Bridge, so the views won't be that great. Figure out when the sun is highest in the sky, and then start the journey from the Wharf about 1 ½ hrs before “high noon”. This will give you time to enjoy the ride through Ft Mason, the Marina Green & St Francis Yacht Club, Crissy Field, & Ft Point. There are nice bathrooms at the entrance to the Ft Point area. Ft Point itself is only open on Friday, Sat & Sun, so the best day to do this bike trip would be a Friday. You can stop in the Ft Point parking lot, admire the views, and watch the surfers on any day. The Web site for Ft Point is http://www.nps.gov/fopo .

Stu Dudley

stella_p

Amazing! Thanks Stu.

Bookmarking for April trip.

kiwi_rob

Wow! Bookmarking.

lucybell1

Thanks Stu! Bookmarking for upcoming SF trip.

toncasmo

stu
is that the sandwich place in HMB that's right on main st? next to an old hotel?
thanks

StuDudley

Yep - It's in the same building as the old hotel. They re-did the outside dining terrace recently.

Stu Dudley

SDP

Thank you so much for all the info Stu! We are planning a trip mid April to SF and cannot wait. We leave on a Monday and return on a Saturday. Do you think we can work in a trip to Yosemite? We are first timers in SF so after reading your posts I know there is a lot to do and see. Of course we don't want to miss Napa!

Thanks again for taking your time to help everyone!

joedina

Thanks Stu! Great info!

StuDudley

I would not try to fit in SF, Napa, and Yosemite in just 4 1/2 days.

Stu Dudley