JoyT

Heading to San Francisco next week and renting car, going straight to Big Sur. Staying in Normandy Inn in Carmel and then need to get to Glen Ellen Cottages In Sonoma on Sunday Sept. 22. Can you please recommend a scenic route? Many thanks

StuDudley

How about CA #1? When it intersects Hwy 35 in Daly City, take 35 north and then keep following the coast. In San Francisco when you see a big lake on your right, take the first left & follow the Great Highway along Ocean Beach, past Golden Gate Park, past the Cliff House, onto Geary Blvd. From Geary, turn left on 34th street and enter Lincoln Park & past the Legion of Honor. Then keep following your nose through a golf course, through Sea Cliff, and get on Lincoln Blvd (get a AAA map to follow the route through SF). Great views of the Golden Gate and the Bridge. You will go under the Bridge, and then immediately turn left to go across the Golden Gate Bridge. Just past the bridge, take the Alexander Av. exit towards Sausalito. When you get to the stop at the end of the freeway off ramp, turn left & go under Hwy 101. Continue on like you are going back across the bridge to SF, but take the road to the right that goes up-hill, just before actually getting on 101. There will be a sign that says you are entering the Golden Gate National Recreational area. Continue up on this road. You will see what is (in my opinion) the best views of San Francisco – The GG Bridge in the foreground & The City behind it.. This area was formerly a military area that is still laced with bunkers, gun turrets, underground tunnels etc. It was opened up in the ‘70s. The views of The City, the Bridge, and the Golden Gate are breathtaking. You can see all the way down the San Mateo Coast from up here. Go all the way to the top and you hit a much smaller one-way road. On the way up, get out & enjoy the sights. The kids will love the bunkers & gun turrets. At the top where the main road ends, there is the largest gun turret, where you can climb up to for an almost 360 degree view. This view is best in the evening when the sun is in a better position to light up the bridge & highlight downtown.

Retrace your route, and get on 101 heading north and then to Glen Ellen.

Stu Dudley

JoyT

Thank you Stu!! I will print this off. Much appreciated!

Rastaguytoday

To add on to Stu Dudley's post, after you pass the Legion of Honor and wind back around towards SF, stop at the 17th tee.

It will be the only tee/fairway against the ocean. Park on the left hand side of the road and take in the view of the GG Bridge and back to the City. Excellent view.

I used to come here every Saturday and just sit for an hour or three.

JoyT

Thanks, being golfers that certainly appeals to us!

Underhill

FYI: the Legion of Honor is a lovely small museum.