bdklein

I am trying to determine how long it will take to drive from SF via the coast (let's say Union Square area), and then turning inland and ending up in St. Helena, Napa. We are looking to stop at the Point Reyes lighthouse, a stroll at Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve, lunch, plus a winery or two in Sonoma along the way. Is that too ambitious? Any input, thoughts, suggestions are welcome. This will be on Monday, June 30th, if it makes a difference.

sjk1976

With no traffic, you can anticipate anywhere from an hour to 1:30 to get from the Marina district right by the golden gate bridge to the pt. reyes seashore. the lighthouse trek is cool, and it's on pretty narrow roads, so be prepared. beautiful scenery. I don't know about the trip to the redwoods state reserve. I did a similar drive in a day from SF to Sonoma and over to Pt. Reyes before going back to SF and it was too much. Pick either one of the valleys for the wine and you're mor likely to enjoy the trip. We mostly saw things from the seat of a car. Are you spending the nght inSt. Helena?

Wellvis

Driving directly to St. Helena from Union Square is at least 1-1/2 hours. I normally assume the same time just to get to Point Reyes (it's a winding road and it just takes a while to get there). It's something you could do, but you'd be happier taking a more direct route or planning on more than one day.

bdklein

sjk1976,
We are spending 3 nights in SF, followed by 3 nights in St. Helena.

andrew8

I also suggest you see Calistoga .

jtrandolph

That is not too ambitious for a day trip. Just go up the coast and after Bodega Bay, in 10 miles, turn right on Hwy 116 just after you cross the Russian River. Then stop at Armstrong Grove in Guerneville. When you are ready continue on 116 to Hwy 101 north of Santa Rosa. Turn south and take the Highway 12 exit which will take you through the Sonoma Valley. The town of Sonoma is worth a dtop. Historic, built during the Mexican occpation in the early 1820's around an 11-acre Plaza. Some of the original adobe buildings are still there, now housing boutiques and restaurants and a hotel or two.

To get to Napa just follow Broadway (which is still Hwy 12) out a few miles until you come to 121 and the sign for Napa. It will only take about half an hour.

Supercilious

You may want to keep your options open for your drive up the coast. The odds are 50-50 (or probably worse) that the Pt. Reyes Peninsula will be socked in with fog on June 30. If it is, the drive out to the lighthouse is not much fun. Generally, the summer is not the best time to visit Pt Reyes. Armstrong Redwoods and the Russian River Valley should be fine though as well as the Sonoma and Napa Valleys.