Should we go north of San Francisco?
 

Next June, we will visit San Francisco, then spend three days in the Monterey Peninsula area, including travel time via Hwy 1. While in the Monterey area we'll visit Point Lobos and Pfeiffer parks, Big Sur, Carmel, the aquarium and so forth. We have been farther down the cost to Hearst Castle and Cambria.

Given the time we'll spend on the coast south of San Francisco, would we see much that is different if we spent, say a day and a half north of the city? My husband is not interested in wineries. We'd stay overnight in Santa Rosa for its many lodging options.

Staying in Santa Rosa a full day and a morning would leave us 2.5 days in San Francisco itself. If we skip the northern area we'd add a day to the city (for a total of 4 days) or one to Yosemite (for a total of 3.5 days). We also have 2 days at Lake Tahoe.

We have enjoyed big cities (museums, theater) and national parks (short hikes, photography, soaking in the beauty).

Thanks for any insights you can offer.

This may be my SF snobbishness, but I don't see a reason to go to Santa Rosa. You'll have a beautiful drive going south; as far as nature, you can't beat Yosemite; and SF will provide a lot more in the way of museums, etc. I don't see what Santa Rosa would add.

I would play it by ear, or more specifically, by weather eye. In June anywhere on the California coast - San Yisidro to Crescent City - can be foggy and gray - "June gloom" (more noticeable in the south because it's farther from the norm.) If it's sunny or there's an offshore breeze - for which there's no long-range way to know - then head north on Calif. Hwy 1 from San Francisco to Mendocino. The coast here is very, very beautiful - deep calm bays, fishing (well, tourist really) villages, rocks and seals, roadside wild roses and poppies - really splendid stuff. It's different from Hwy 1 south from SF and well worth a day or two.

I agree the Santa Rosa/inland Sonoma Co. alternative pales with staying in SF for the same time. If the weather on the coast is crummy, do a couple of day trips in the Bay area instead - Angel Island, maybe, or Muir Woods if you haven't seen the big trees.

Why do people assume they can "do" San Francisco is a day or two? It's a pretty big city with many diverse neighborhoods.

I'd reccomend relishing the extra time you have in the city and soak up some spots you'd otherwise miss.

Check out the Palace of Fine Arts, the windmills and buffalo at Golden Gate Park. Have Dim Sum in Chinatown. Get lost in North Beach. Do some shopping in the Fillmore district.

There's more to San Francisco than Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 - though those are fun too!

I'd choose an extra day in Yosemite over the area north of SF. Yosemite is absolutely beautiful. If you do decide to go north of SF, make sure you go to Point Reyes national seashore. Another option would be to spend a night in the gold country either on your way to Yosemite or on your way back from Lake Tahoe. There are plenty of great little towns along Hwy 49. Nevada City is probably my favorite - since it is a little to the north, it would make sense to see it on the way back from Lake Tahoe if you can adjust your dates a little bit. On the way to Yosemite, I believe Sonora and the towns around there would be convinient.

Thank you all for your suggestions and information. Looks like we'll take 4 days for San Francisco (so many choices there) and, weather permitting, take a day trip north. If it's foggy we'll just accept it as part of the area's charm.

A couple postings made yesterday disappeared overnight. I'll incorporate one person's Big Basin recommendation into our drive from SF to the Monterey Peninsula.

I'd definately spend a day in Napa &/or Sonoma just for the beautiful scenery. Some of the winery properties are gorgeous even if you're not interested in the wine. I'd avoid Santa Rosa though. It's still at 20 min drive to Sonoma and longer to Nappa and there is nothing to see there worthwhile.

P.S. Muir Woods and Sausilito are great stops on your way there or back.

Calitrav, What is the June gloom phenomenon?

Your itinerary sounds good -- you should enjoy the extra time in SF. For a day trip, check out Muir Woods, the Marin Headlands, Point Reyes or Stinson Beach.

It can be foggy in June, but it usually burns off by afternoon. If not, you're still on vacation! IMHO, so-called 'June Gloom' is still not reason enough to go to San Jose.

Santa Rosa SUX! Go to Sonoma... there is a quaint town square. Get sandwiches at the Cheese factory and have a picnic on the square. Do a spa day at the Mission Inn!

I would definitely include Napa... even if you just go to eat and look at the scenery. It's pretty relaxing. I've been to Muir Woods and I did enjoy it, but really didn't need much time there, but that's just IMO. We did the basic stuff SF in 4 days, and we felt that was plenty....

Outside of San Francisco and Monterey/Carmel, I recommend Point Reyes, wine country (to sightsee if not for the wines), Yosemite, the coast. I wouldn't recommend Santa Rosa or San Jose.

Another vote against San Jose. Try Muir Woods, Point Reyes, Mendocino, Napa, etc.

Personally, I think fog is great - last month I was driving up Hwy 280 into SF from SJ and the fog was literally flowing over the mountains between Hwy 280 and the coast. It was beautiful. One of the most incredible things to watch IMO is the fog rolling in through the Golden Gate. Also, when the inland areas of California are really hot, the coast is wonderfully cool.

Yes, you should go north of San Francisco!

but, not as far as Santa Rosa. If you like to drink in the scenery, then drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, take the very first exit on the right which leads to a terrific view of San Francisco and of the Golden Gate.

If you want more views of the Golden Gate bridge, I would recommend taking the second exit on the right which curves under the freeway and gets you on the road to the Marin Headlands. There are old gun mounts along the way and from the closest one I feel as if it's possible to reach out and touch the Bridge, awesome sight! Both spots are great for photography.

Then, if you still want to continue north, go to Sausalito, then to Muir Woods. I would recommend Muir Woods over Big Basin in the south primarily because Muir Woods is much more accessible and you do not need more than a couple of hours for Muir Woods.

Digression on Big Basin: The way into Big Basin winds around a great deal, then when you reach the Park Entrance, you have another 9 miles of very narrow and windy (windey?) roads to get to the Park Headquarters. It is not a simple get in and get out project. It is at least a half day venture. The redwoods are truly spectacular in Big Basin and the hikes are of the "wilderness" type - in other words, prepare to get lost as the trails are not as well marked as at Muir Woods. People from nearby towns go to Big Basin and camp out - again, another indication that this is not a drive in, drive out kind of place. If you ARE determined to hike in Big Basin, then be sure to bring a small mirror, a whistle, a jacket, some energy bars and plenty of water. Wear sturdy shoes, not flip-flops.

Day before yesterday when we were in Big Basin, no more than 200 yards from the Park Headquarters, we ran into a large group of young people pouring down the hill trail at us, claiming they were "lost". This is not as surprising as it would seem. It's very quiet and the noises of cars are soon lost amid the tall trees.

Which is all to let you know what you are in for when you opt for Big Basin. My recommendation, unless you are diehard hikers, is to go to Muir Woods. :)

Back in Sausalito, go and have lunch at any one of the restaurants right on the Bay - my favorite is the Spinnaker Restaurant, but there are several to choose from.

All of this makes for a nice day trip and it'll get you back into San Francisco, where you can continue your touring at Fisherman's Wharf/Ghirardelli Square/The Cannery/Pier 39 in the late afternoon, early evening.

As for going south of SF, unless you are in a big hurry, avoid the freeways. Take Highway 1 down to Santa Cruz, which is a very nice drive along the Pacific. There are small cities and towns all along the way - Pacifica is where the houses have been sliding down the steep hills into the ocean below. Drive by towns with names like Princeton-by-the-Sea (which is just a small group of houses), Half Moon Bay, etc. There are a lot of small state beaches also. I wouldn't spend too much time along this part of the coast, but would try to get to Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel by noon or early afternoon. Your itinerary in Monterey is fine.

Have a great trip!

I don't really recommend either San Jose or Santa Rosa. I don't think either place makes the cutoff in terms of being worth the time out of a limited trip. Spending extra time in either SF or Yosemite sounds good - or if you still want to head north of SF, I would recommend either the Marin headlands, Stinson Beach, or Pt. Reyes if you want still more coastal experience. If you want hot and sunny picturesque small towns head to Sonoma or Healdsburg. I live in Sonoma County - about 40 minutes north of SF - don't drive the freeway any more than you have to - there are nice back roads to all the places I mentioned through rolling hills, redwoods, farms, vineyards, etc. - a lot of very pretty pastoral countryside.

Thanks -- Jason888 for the insights about Big Basin (versus Muir Woods) Hwy. 1 highlights south of San Francisco and the Sausalito restaurant recommendation, and everyone for specifics about "must sees" north of the city (Point Reyes, Marin Headlands, Sonoma, Napa, etc).

How did I ever plan trips before Travel Talk?