San Simeon - Monterey - San Francisco in 3 days - how to do it?
Jul 16th, 2010, 09:28 AM
#1
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San Simeon - Monterey - San Francisco in 3 days - how to do it?
Help. Have to cut our 2 week trip short by 2 days and can only make changes in last week. Is the following doable? We are early risers and move fast. Hate to tour this way but things happen. Thought of cutting out SF but daughter really wants to see Alcarataz.
Monday - San Siemon to Monterey via Hwy 1 (2 hikes Point Lobos & Pfeiffer SP)
Tuesday - Monterey to San Francisco (what are must do's in Monterey? is there a mission in area?) Drive to SF late.
Wednesday - SF to Roseville or Auburn California (2.5 hr drive late) (heading back east and must be in Iowa late Friday night). Have the entire day in SF. Want to do Alcarataz tour, ride a trolley, see crooked street....any other suggestions to do in short time?
Had tickets for Alcarataz early Friday and now need to change. Only available tours on Wed are 11:30 to 3:55. Take the late tour then head out of the city?
Suggestions?
Monday - San Siemon to Monterey via Hwy 1 (2 hikes Point Lobos & Pfeiffer SP)
Tuesday - Monterey to San Francisco (what are must do's in Monterey? is there a mission in area?) Drive to SF late.
Wednesday - SF to Roseville or Auburn California (2.5 hr drive late) (heading back east and must be in Iowa late Friday night). Have the entire day in SF. Want to do Alcarataz tour, ride a trolley, see crooked street....any other suggestions to do in short time?
Had tickets for Alcarataz early Friday and now need to change. Only available tours on Wed are 11:30 to 3:55. Take the late tour then head out of the city?
Suggestions?
Jul 16th, 2010, 10:10 AM
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As for Alcatraz, I'd go Wednesday, but regardless of what time you go, I wouldn't head out of the city until AFTER rush hour -- the trip between SF and Auburn (at least until Sacramento) can be slow going during rush hour. It's an easy drive, so no worries about doing it at night, it's all multi-lane freeway.
You can "do" Alcatraz in about 2 hours, all-in, if you move fast!
You can "do" Alcatraz in about 2 hours, all-in, if you move fast!
Jul 16th, 2010, 10:37 AM
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You can get in line right before they board the boat for your specific time. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes each way. You walk up the hill to the main area and pick up an audio tour. The tour of the main building doesn't take more than an hour. The rest you see on your own so you can go faster or slower.
Jul 16th, 2010, 02:13 PM
#8
I assume you are going to Roseville just to be part way out I-80 for your drive east.
If so -- I'd leave SF between 6:30 and 7PM and go farther than Roseville/Auburn. Roseville is only shopping (LOTS) and an Indian Casino, and Auburn has some worthwhile sites but you won't be doing any of them.
It is 100 fast miles from Auburn to Reno. Leaving SF by 7PM would have you in Reno or Sparks by 10:30-ish.
If so -- I'd leave SF between 6:30 and 7PM and go farther than Roseville/Auburn. Roseville is only shopping (LOTS) and an Indian Casino, and Auburn has some worthwhile sites but you won't be doing any of them.
It is 100 fast miles from Auburn to Reno. Leaving SF by 7PM would have you in Reno or Sparks by 10:30-ish.
Jul 16th, 2010, 02:37 PM
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JKR:
Must-do in Monterey: the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Also, currently there are more whales in Monterey Bay than have been spotted in a decade. Marine biologists are astounded and it's been heavily in the news. If you've ever wanted to go on a whale watch, now would be the time!
There's also a mission in the Monterey area - the Carmel mission, on the outskirts of Carmel-by-the-Sea (itself worth a visit). You can also see the oldest church in California, the Royal Presidio Chapel. (It's also the oldest architect-designed building in California and the smallest cathedral in the continental U.S.)
Rush hour in San Francisco starts by 3:30pm or 4pm (at the latest) and ends around 7pm. (Someone who commutes more often in SF than I do should check me on that...it may go later.)
Must-do in Monterey: the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Also, currently there are more whales in Monterey Bay than have been spotted in a decade. Marine biologists are astounded and it's been heavily in the news. If you've ever wanted to go on a whale watch, now would be the time!
There's also a mission in the Monterey area - the Carmel mission, on the outskirts of Carmel-by-the-Sea (itself worth a visit). You can also see the oldest church in California, the Royal Presidio Chapel. (It's also the oldest architect-designed building in California and the smallest cathedral in the continental U.S.)
Rush hour in San Francisco starts by 3:30pm or 4pm (at the latest) and ends around 7pm. (Someone who commutes more often in SF than I do should check me on that...it may go later.)
Jul 16th, 2010, 07:27 PM
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Roseville was to get part of the drive home out of the way. Would we be missing much scenery between Roseville and Reno? (Our trip out West begins on 80W to Tahoe then south to Yosemite).
Booked Alcatraz 3:55 tour then can head East. Maybe we should grab a quick bite to eat before leaving so it is past 7 hitting the road. I'm guessing getting out of city & over bridge is slowest part.
Want to show kids a mission. Only time for 1...is it Carmel or the one by Salina? How much time should we plan for a mission?
Booked Alcatraz 3:55 tour then can head East. Maybe we should grab a quick bite to eat before leaving so it is past 7 hitting the road. I'm guessing getting out of city & over bridge is slowest part.
Want to show kids a mission. Only time for 1...is it Carmel or the one by Salina? How much time should we plan for a mission?
Jul 16th, 2010, 07:43 PM
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>>
Nope
As with everything, how long you spend at a mission depends on the depth of your interest, but you can definitely see the typical mission in an hour.
As for eating in San Francisco before heading out, that's a good idea. Getting out of the city and over the bridge is slow, but it remains heavy for quite some time -- just better to avoid it altogether. We want you to have good memories of San Francisco!
Nope
As with everything, how long you spend at a mission depends on the depth of your interest, but you can definitely see the typical mission in an hour.
As for eating in San Francisco before heading out, that's a good idea. Getting out of the city and over the bridge is slow, but it remains heavy for quite some time -- just better to avoid it altogether. We want you to have good memories of San Francisco!
Jul 16th, 2010, 07:56 PM
#14
Well - yes there is nice scenery from maybe Blue Canyon to Truckee. But not gobsmacking gorgeous like Tahoe/Yosemite and the rest of the Sierra you will have seen on the front end of your trip.
Jul 16th, 2010, 09:31 PM
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JKR -
The closest mission to Monterey is in Carmel (aka Carmel-by-the-Sea) and is called the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, or Carmel Mission for short. It's right off Hwy 1. Here's their website: http://www.carmelmission.org/
The other one you're thinking of, near Salinas, is the Mission San Juan Bautista and is in the town with the same name, northeast of Salinas off of the 101. This mission's claim to fame is that the bell tower scene at the end of Vertigo was filmed there. Here's their website: http://www.oldmissionsjb.org/
Both are still active parishes, so be mindful of visiting hours and the mass schedules.
The closest mission to Monterey is in Carmel (aka Carmel-by-the-Sea) and is called the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, or Carmel Mission for short. It's right off Hwy 1. Here's their website: http://www.carmelmission.org/
The other one you're thinking of, near Salinas, is the Mission San Juan Bautista and is in the town with the same name, northeast of Salinas off of the 101. This mission's claim to fame is that the bell tower scene at the end of Vertigo was filmed there. Here's their website: http://www.oldmissionsjb.org/
Both are still active parishes, so be mindful of visiting hours and the mass schedules.
Jul 17th, 2010, 07:37 PM
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Perfect - thanks for the advice getting out of SF.
Now coming in from Monterey - again avoid driving in during rush hour 3:30 to 7??? Recommended routes?
Staying in North Beach area at the recommended Columbus Motor Inn. Unfortunately we have to move our vehicle by 3:00pm from their parking lot, find another and get to Alcatraz ferry around 3:30. Any suggestions for parking 4 hours? The hotel said their is a North beach garage nearby but wonder if filled in afternoon?
Now coming in from Monterey - again avoid driving in during rush hour 3:30 to 7??? Recommended routes?
Staying in North Beach area at the recommended Columbus Motor Inn. Unfortunately we have to move our vehicle by 3:00pm from their parking lot, find another and get to Alcatraz ferry around 3:30. Any suggestions for parking 4 hours? The hotel said their is a North beach garage nearby but wonder if filled in afternoon?
Jul 17th, 2010, 09:09 PM
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I'd just move your car closer to the Alcatraz Ferry, since you'll be leaving SF after you do the Alcatraz tour and grab a bite for dinner. Here's all the public parking garages.
http://visitfishermanswharf.com/gett...d/parking.aspx
http://visitfishermanswharf.com/gett...d/parking.aspx
Jul 18th, 2010, 07:23 AM
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Driving from Monterey to SF, the congested traffic will be in the San Jose area. So just make sure you are not hitting San Jose 3:30 to 6:30 pm. The least congested route is: Hwy 1 to 156 to 101 to 85 to 280. Have fun.
Jul 18th, 2010, 10:35 AM
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Having driven that route many times, it would be better to drive to Reno for overnight. Then the 2 days to Iowa would be easier. Mapquest says it is 22 hours and 18 minutes - Reno to Des Moines. 26 hours SF to DM
