Retuen Leg Plan to SF - suggestions?

[Froggy]

Return Leg Plan to SF - suggestions?

Ok on May/2 I go Honolulu and May/6 back to SF and make my way slowly to LA on May/12.

Looking at the map this is my plan. Any suggestions?

From SF will head north across Golden Gate Bridge to the national park then head further north to Napa and probably stay for a night.

From there make a loop down south to San Jose stay a night there. Then south again to Monterey. Then all the way by Highway 1 to LA over a few days.

 

[jubilee1919]

Ok on May/2 I go Honolulu and May/6 back to SF and make my way slowly to LA on May/12.

Looking at the map this is my plan. Any suggestions?

From SF will head north across Golden Gate Bridge to the national park then head further north to Napa and probably stay for a night.

From there make a loop down south to San Jose stay a night there. Then south again to Monterey. Then all the way by Highway 1 to LA over a few days.

Sequoia Natioanl Park is a nice place to stay overnight and the coastal roads have many historical towns like Capistrano.

 

[rotikosong]

What national park? the redwoods at Marin? They are really nice.

Going to Napa is good. You'll save on hotel cost if you stay on the outskirts of the valley i.e. not Sonoma itself. Sonoma town square is very nice, very quaint
What winery you visit depends on what is your liking. If you like sparking wines, then Schramsberg is good - lots of history, education and they store in a cave!
You should know that the smaller wineries probably require reservations.

You should also try a m&d bath in Napa Valley since you like that sort of thing.

For makan, why don't you try the CIA? I know you'd appreciate this.

 

[Froggy]

Sequoia Natioanl Park is a nice place to stay overnight and the coastal roads have many historical towns like Capistrano.

I just googled map Sequoia National Park seem to be on the east side of FWY 5, I was thinking more of the coastal and I could only choose 1 as I only have like 6 days. Also googles Capistrano it seem to be south of LA before San Diego. May have to do San Diego next time love the zoo and seaworld. Went there about 15 years ago have good memories.

 

[Froggy]

What national park? the redwoods at Marin? They are really nice.

Going to Napa is good. You'll save on hotel cost if you stay on the outskirts of the valley i.e. not Sonoma itself. Sonoma town square is very nice, very quaint
What winery you visit depends on what is your liking. If you like sparking wines, then Schramsberg is good - lots of history, education and they store in a cave!
You should know that the smaller wineries probably require reservations.

You should also try a m&d bath in Napa Valley since you like that sort of thing.

For makan, why don't you try the CIA? I know you'd appreciate this.

Ya the redwoods at Marin just after the bridge recommended by eatshitndie. Hey thanks for the lead on Napa valley I will probably book a day tour of the vineyards cos I should not drink and drive. WOW I looked into the CIA - Culinary Institute of America at Greystone looks very interesting.

 

[rotikosong]

From there make a loop down south to San Jose stay a night there. Then south again to Monterey. Then all the way by Highway 1 to LA over a few days.

This one I defer to those who know CA better but I would stay in Monterey instead of San Jose. Monterey is nice, by the beach, San Jose is all the tech companies - very drab.
I like taking your idea of taking the Paciifc Coast Highway - it's longer but very iconic road. Maybe stop in Santa Barbara - see the big houses.
The other way of getting to LA would take you through the farmlands - this is where the spinach, the citrus, the grapes, rice etc all grown.

 

[eatshitndie]

not a bad plan, but highway 1 from monterey to l.a. is a freaking long and windy drive. 101 is better for long stretches and highway 1 for short stretches. can connect both at certain locations (they run parallel) with some east-west roads.

details and updates. doyle drive is demolished (see earlier thread). bypass is available. approach to golden gate bridge from sf downtown is a total mess. try 19th avenue north. can get off and park at vista before bridge on right for photos. pass bridge on next right is another vista. can stop for photos of sf. proceed to muir woods in marin early morning. after muir woods, go to sausalito for breakfast or brunch. back on 101 north for crossing to sonoma. check out jacuzzi winery for free wine and olive oil tasting. viansa is next door. sonoma town is quaint and quiet but worth a look. from sonoma, a short drive east to napa. domain caneros on the way, famous for sparkling wine. overnight in napa. must visit yountville and try 1 of 3 french eateries. bv, sattui and mondavi wineries in oakville. so many wineries from napa to calistoga you can choose. going south, 29 to 80 to 680. don't go back to sf. 680 will bring you all the way to san jose.

from san jose to monterey, pacific grove and carmel, easy on 880, then 17, then 1. from carmel to big sur, can do 1. san luis obispo (slo) is the furthest south on 1 you wish to go. scoot east back to 101 at slo and head down to solvan (danish town) on 101, santa barbara and santa monica next back on 1 further down. anyway, vandenberg afb is in the way, and highway 1 cuts thru' it. you don't have access to the afb so must use 101.

good luck and enjoy!

 

[Froggy]

This one I defer to those who know CA better but I would stay in Monterey instead of San Jose. Monterey is nice, by the beach, San Jose is all the tech companies - very drab.
I like taking your idea of taking the Paciifc Coast Highway - it's longer but very iconic road. Maybe stop in Santa Barbara - see the big houses.
The other way of getting to LA would take you through the farmlands - this is where the spinach, the citrus, the grapes, rice etc all grown.

Thanks I will consider all these and finalize while in Waikiki and make all the booking then. I wonder if I could just drive and when tired just drive into a motel without any prior booking.

 

[Leongsam]

Ok on May/2 I go Honolulu and May/6 back to SF and make my way slowly to LA on May/12.

Looking at the map this is my plan. Any suggestions?

From SF will head north across Golden Gate Bridge to the national park then head further north to Napa and probably stay for a night.

From there make a loop down south to San Jose stay a night there. Then south again to Monterey. Then all the way by Highway 1 to LA over a few days.

Don't miss Yosemite.

 

[eatshitndie]

Thanks I will consider all these and finalize while in Waikiki and make all the booking then. I wonder if I could just drive and when tired just drive into a motel without any prior booking.

at this time of year it's better to have reservations even for cheap motels. a lot of out of town visitors and students finishing their spring semester.

 

[eatshitndie]

Don't miss Yosemite.

how can we miss such a beautiful natural wonder! if joe can have 2 more days, must see yosemite or at least the valley floor and many falls.

 

[Froggy]

not a bad plan, but highway 1 from monterey to l.a. is a freaking long and windy drive. 101 is better for long stretches and highway 1 for short stretches. can connect both at certain locations (they run parallel) with some east-west roads.

details and updates. doyle drive is demolished (see earlier thread). bypass is available. approach to golden gate bridge from sf downtown is a total mess. try 19th avenue north. can get off and park at vista before bridge on right for photos. pass bridge on next right is another vista. can stop for photos of sf. proceed to muir woods in marin early morning. after muir woods, go to sausalito for breakfast or brunch. back on 101 north for crossing to sonoma. check out jacuzzi winery for free wine and olive oil tasting. viansa is next door. sonoma town is quaint and quiet but worth a look. from sonoma, a short drive east to napa. domain caneros on the way, famous for sparkling wine. overnight in napa. must visit yountville and try 1 of 3 french eateries. bv, sattui and mondavi wineries in oakville. so many wineries from napa to calistoga you can choose. going south, 29 to 80 to 680. don't go back to sf. 680 will bring you all the way to san jose.

from san jose to monterey, pacific grove and carmel, easy on 880, then 17, then 1. from carmel to big sur, can do 1. san luis obispo (slo) is the furthest south on 1 you wish to go. scoot east back to 101 at slo and head down to solvan (danish town) on 101, santa barbara and santa monica next back on 1 further down. anyway, vandenberg afb is in the way, and highway 1 cuts thru' it. you don't have access to the afb so must use 101.

good luck and enjoy!

Thank you so very much for the details. Owe you and rotikosong big time.

 

[wuqi256]

how can we miss such a beautiful natural wonder! if joe can have 2 more days, must see yosemite or at least the valley floor and many falls.

Almost accidentally ended my life at one of the roads leading to Yosemite as i was driving and very tired with my ex boss behind, sleeping soundly. It was dark and i parked on the left side of the road besides some trees to rest, was about to step out to stretch the legs when i accidentally dropped a bottle of Frappucino and in my groggy state (after driving to Yosemite and then back), realised that there was no sound to be heard from the bottle hitting the ground. I took a longer look at the inky blackness below and realised that my car was parked right at the edge of a cliff. Phew. Drove very very carefully away.

Yosemite is really beautiful but a long hard drive, the falls are breathtaking but subject to the time of year you arrive. Driving back, beware of the steep and sharp right turns, 20 miles was the limit i remember, definitely use lower gear when going down. Lake Tahoe was good but always so crowded but depending on the season, quite a few things there including a casino by the natives. Actually IMHO, the most amazing place was right before sunset at Point Reyes.

http://www.google.com.sg/search?q=p...e&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CC8Q_AUoAQ&biw=1350&bih=628

 

[wuqi256]

Thank you so very much for the details. Owe you and rotikosong big time.

Agree with all the places Eatshitndie posted. Carmel is nice (good Coach shop for those inclined) Muir woods is ok. Sonoma + Napa mostly wine country, you can go by a tour coach or a limo if you want to do a wine tasting trip without driving yourself. (Recommended not to drink everything they offer as easy to get drunk if you really drink all the wine served)

You can even take a hot air ballon trip over wine country. Pretty romantic and then come back by yacht from Sausalito. We didn't get up in time so opted for the helicopter ride around the bay instead. Worth it. We used www.supersightseeing.com when i brought my parents and family over there. Not the cheapest guys but they have many tours.

Took the coach to do 17 mile drive to Monterey,Carmel, Pebble Bay. The aquarium at Monterey is definitely worth checking out. Very interesting the otters.

Sausalito is pretty but not that much to do other than eating and a bit of shopping as it isn't that big an area but nice views.

 

[Froggy]

Don't miss Yosemite.

how can we miss such a beautiful natural wonder! if joe can have 2 more days, must see yosemite or at least the valley floor and many falls.

Aiya guys I think I don't have time liao for Yosemite. Ok let me try.

 

[eatshitndie]

Almost ended my life at one of the roads leading to Yosemite as i was driving and very tired with my ex boss behind, sleeping soundly. Parked on the left side of the road besides some trees, was about to step out when i accidentally dropped a bottle of Frappucino and in my groggy state (after driving to Yosemite and then back), realised that there was no sound to be heard from the bottle hitting the ground. I took a longer look at the inky blackness and realised that my car was parked right at the edge of a cliff. Phew.
..............

omg. that bottle of frap saved you!

i only drive in the day going in and out of yosemite as it can go dark and nasty in a hurry with weather changes. even hiking there, one must camp or be back at base or cabin before dusk. the valley gets dark very fast at around 4 to 5 as it is surrounded by mountains. this time of year, snow is on all peaks, waterfalls are plentiful with melting ice and snow, merced river is cold and treacherous, rocks are slippery, and light snow or rain may come again next week. pt. reyes is great in early summer. too much grass and shrub pollen in spring. ahhhhchhuuuu!

 

[Froggy]

Agree with all the places Eatshitndie posted. Carmel is nice (good Coach shop for those inclined) Muir woods is ok. Sonoma + Napa mostly wine country, you can go by a tour coach or a limo if you want to do a wine tasting trip without driving yourself. (Recommended not to drink everything they offer as easy to get drunk if you really drink all the wine served)

You can even take a hot air ballon trip over wine country. Pretty romantic and then come back by yacht from Sausalito. We didn't get up in time so opted for the helicopter ride around the bay instead. Worth it. We used www.supersightseeing.com when i brought my parents and family over there. Not the cheapest guys but they have many tours.

Took the coach to do 17 mile drive to Monterey,Carmel, Pebble Bay. The aquarium at Monterey is definitely worth checking out. Very interesting the otters.

Sausalito is pretty but not that much to do other than eating and a bit of shopping as it isn't that big an area but nice views.

Thanks a lot to you wuqi. Now I wish I have another week for this holiday. Its just not enough. sigh.

 

[Ramseth]

Drive across Golden Gate Bridge north to Sausalito for lunch. Stroll around and shop around. Then drive further up to Larkspur for dinner. Stroll around and shop around again. There's a good sports bar there good for watching American football, baseball or basketball TV telecast over whiskey. These are two towns with fairytale settings looking like right out of Hans Christian Andersen storybooks. You can also drive east to Fremont via Bay Bridge and visit Gopalan Nair.

 

[Froggy]

Drive across Golden Gate Bridge north to Sausalito for lunch. Stroll around and shop around. Then drive further up to Larkspur for dinner. Stroll around and shop around again. There's a good sports bar there good for watching American football, baseball or basketball TV telecast over whiskey. These are two towns with fairytale settings looking like right out of Hans Christian Andersen storybooks. You can also drive east to Fremont via Bay Bridge and visit Gopalan Nair.

Trouble is me driving so cannot drink, shucks! It's killing me.

 

[Ramseth]

Trouble is me driving so cannot drink, shucks! It's killing me.

Both Sausalito and Larkspur have ferry services from SF. Drinking is serious offense in US while driving. If you're caught, you may end up with an extended visa, for a few years in prison. Relax and enjoy the beautiful bay scenery on the ferry and beer is available on board ahoy!