We will be driving visitors from SF to relatives in Ukiah.

bbqboy suggested on another post a tour of the Marin Headlands, Muir Woods and Hwy 1 coast starting at Sausalito, up over Mt. Tam to Stinson Beach and up to Olema, then back to San Rafael and up 101.

Depending on how long we stayed at each stop, approx. how much time would the above route take?

Also, we will be 6 people plus luggage, in a rented mini van and we were wondering about driving down the steep road to Stinson and up to Mt.Tam, (both of which we have only done in a car).

Is the Mountain Home still on Tam and is it any good - haven't been there in years.

We _have_ to be in Ukiah before dinner time and didn't plan on leaving SF until maybe 10AM. Is this routing practical for if we only have maybe three extra hours to do it?

Thanks in advance,

Nina

Nina,
I drive up that way several times a summer, seems to take about 3 hours from Berkeley. At a guess, you would have about 4 hours to do those things.

Two concerns:

On weekends in the summer, the Muir Woods parking lot fills up quite early. You might want to pick Muir woods OR Marin Headlands. That would give time for a hike. The Cold War Nike missile silos are still up there, that might be interesting to your guests. The views are fantastic.

Plan travel time for the dreadful, dreadful traffic between Petaluma and Santa Rosa. If you are travelling on a week day, you'll be able to use HOV lanes where they exist during carpool hours.

Just north of Cloverdale there are pullouts where locals play in the river. That might be a nice place to stop for a picknick if it's a hot afternoon. Otherwise, Healdsburg would be a good lunch stop.

Lastly, I'd go from Olema to Novato, no need to backtrack to San Rafael.

Thanks so much Bay Area. We have a place in Lake County and we drive up frequently, turning onto 175 at Hopland, so we know the horrors of going through Petaluma and Santa Rosa, especially at commute time ... UGH. As we will be traveling on a Wednesday in mid-August, we will definetely get caught in that mess, even though we plan to leave SF 9-10AM.

It's been a long time since we have 'done' any of the attractions along that route, so your suggestions are really appreciated.

Thanks again,

Nina

The road to Stinson Beach is definitely for an experienced driver. Sorry, but I'd advise you against doing it in a rented car.

Did you say they have children? Is Sonoma out of your way? Check out the Train Town there. This train stops 1/2 way, and you get off to feed sheep and llamas.

http://www.traintown.com/

Don't go from Olema to Novato-you'd be backtracking-continue on the Petaluma-Pt.Reyes Rd. into Petaluma & an easy hop on to Hwy 101. If it's after 4PM
I can give you easy directions going north from Petaluma on Stony Pt. Rd-briefly on to Hwy 12 going west, then hop on Fulton Rd-it will put you on
to Hwy 101 way up by the Mark West Springs area north of Santa Rosa, just south of Windsor.

Another idea would be to skip Mt. Tam & Muir Woods. Take Hwy 101 through Santa Rosa to Guerneville Rd.-head west into
Guerneville and visit the Armstrong Woods for your redwood fix. This route,
along the Russian River, has lots of places to dip your toes. You could return to Hwy 101 via Westside Road, a pretty trip through vineyards,and on
up in to Healdsburg where you could
catch up with 101 again.

R5

WOW, this thread sat dormant for so long that I had given up hope of getting any suggestions. Thanks again.

Yes we will have two teenagers from Germany and their parents.

DH's life/hobby is restoring and driving older Euopean cars (mainly Alfa Romeos) anywhere, any time, any road. He is good at it and thoroughly enjoys it.
However this time because of our visitors, we will be in a rented mini van, most likely an automatic - he is dreading that experience as we will have it for one week. I think he will disguise himself in a baseball hat and large dark glasses
(He already has a beard!)

All of your suggestions are great and we will have plenty of time, almost two months to plan our agenda.

Thanks again,
Nina