San Francisco to Carmel
 

My husband, my 2 teens and I are going to visit SF for 3 nights then travel to tahoe for 4nights to ski. My husband has heard so much about the beautiful drive to carmel and wants to take a day to make this trip. I think it is too far for a one day trip. Any advice?

(This is my second try at posting. The first message got swallowed by the internet monster!)

It's difficult to suggest that you not go to Carmel, but to really appreciate the area, you need more time. You need to spend at least one night to be able to fully enjoy Carmel/Monterey/Big Sur. I would therefore suggest that you save that area for another trip.

To get some idea of the California coast, you could go northward of San Francisco.

(to be continued)

Going northward:

Take the Golden Gate Bridge across to Marin County. Go out the first exit right after the bridge and stop at the viewpoint for a look back at SF and the rest of the Bay.

As you leave the viewpoint for Highway 101, immediately,take the next exit on the right. Believe it says Alexander Valley Exit.

Go UNDER the freeway and the road will lead to the other side of the freeway. Then it branches. The left branch returns to SF via the GG Bridge. Take the RIGHT branch for the MARIN HEADLANDS.

At the top of the hill, park along the road. Walk over to the old battery stations and you will get a wonderful view back to SF, but also out to sea and to the mouth of San Francisco Bay.

Look northward to Hawk Hill. You'll most likely see some hawks lazily floating above.

You can continue on this road and loop back via Bunker Road to Highway 101 or you can return the way you came and go under the freeway again and get back on Highway 101.

Take 101 and follow the signs for Muir Woods to see the giant redwood trees.

You could lunch or dinner in Sausalito before returning to SF.

Going north to Marin County is just as great a side trip as going south to Carmel. It is a much shorter trip, however.

Have a great time!

The Monterey/Carmel area is definitely worth a visit, but a day trip from SF is pushing it. I would recommend an overnight. It's a 2 hour drive to from SF to Carmel unless it's a weekend in summer, then the drive takes longer. The drive to Carmel is nice if you go down the coast, but I think the drive your husband has probably heard about is the drive through the Big Sur coast, which is south of the Carmel/Monterey area.

Thanks for the advice I believe we will follow your advice for the shorter side trip. What about the show Zinzanni is it worht the $100 apiece?