San Francisco area destinations

[Buckeye56]

It appears that I will be in San Francisco early February. I am looking at renting a bike and taking day trips from the downtown area. I have never been to that part of the state and am looking for suggestions about places to go or roads that cannot be missed. I look forward to the wisdom of the list! Thanks folks!

 

[rlasater]

Up the coast to Mendicino. Spend the night or camp then up to Eureka through avenue of the giants. Stay a night then return through Napa valley. Cannot be beat.

 

[rlasater]

Stay here in Mendocino

http://heritagehouseresort.com

 

[tomatocity]

Hear is part of PCH http://goo.gl/maps/4w9s7 and could probably add 100 more places to enjoy.

Feel free to add places to stop.

... Nacimiento-Fergusson Road
... Carmel Valley Road (G16)
... Carmel-by-the-Sea
... Carmel
... Monterey
... Santa Cruz
... Half Moon Bay
... Moss Landing
... Hecker Pass Road
... Elkhorn Road
...
...
...
...

 

[tomatocity]

http://goo.gl/maps/nrnVO

Twisties, Mountains, Views, and Smiles

 

[tomatocity]

http://goo.gl/maps/IzL4o

Include Point Reyes Lighthouse (GoogleMaps is broken) and Angel Island (no motor vehicles)(rent a bicycle).

 

[2112]

Up the coast to Mendicino. Spend the night or camp then up to Eureka through avenue of the giants. Stay a night then return through Napa valley.

::026:: Me & the Mrs passed through that way last year, well worth the effort.

 

[Spider]

If you are sticking to day trips from a San Francisco home base, one good bet north is over the Golden Gate bridge then straight out to the coast (west). You're quickly away from most traffic and the scenery is terrific. Lots of different loops you can do in Marin and Santa Rosa counties.

South of the city, the coast (PCH) is beautiful but can be a real traffic jam, especially on weekends. There are plenty of terrific, generally lightly traveled roads in the hills between Foster City/San Carlos/Redwood City and the coast. Maybe head for Alice's Restaurant (I think it's in Woodside) and take off from there north, south or west. The back roads are great all the way to Santa Cruz.

 

[Brick]

Bill damn you are a lucky guy... There are sooo many great roads out there. Tomatocity listed a lot. You can also go to www.pashinit.com they list a lot but I think they charge a bit for it too. Wish I were with you I could show you some great stuff. However I'm sure those who live there can show you much more!

 

[jbrown]

There's a regular Sunday morning ride in Marin County along the coast. A high concentration of would be racers, but it's still a nice ride, ending at Point Reyes Station for breakfast.
The views along the coast are really spectacular. Here's a taste:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaEJ2mPI4IA

 

[Buckeye56]

Bill damn you are a lucky guy... There are sooo many great roads out there. Tomatocity listed a lot. You can also go to www.pashinit.com they list a lot but I think they charge a bit for it too. Wish I were with you I could show you some great stuff. However I'm sure those who live there can show you much more!

It's all that clean living don't ya know! Hell I gotta burn the vacation time or lose it and I may as well do something fun! The boss has a conference there so I figured I'd tag along and see the coastal area. Plus BL and I will get a tour of Lawrence Livermore by her first EE PhD student at OSU who works there.

 

[tomatocity]

It's all that clean living don't ya know! Hell I gotta burn the vacation time or lose it and I may as well do something fun! The boss has a conference there so I figured I'd tag along and see the coastal area. Plus BL and I will get a tour of Lawrence Livermore by her first EE PhD student at OSU who works there.

This would be a good day http://goo.gl/maps/QGCV5

Alice's has good food. Never been to Tesla but want to. Stanford is near. Calaveras Rd, Sierra Rd, Mt Hamilton Rd, San Antonio Valley Rd, and Mines Rd are super fun. Lick Observatory (E) is worth the time. The Junction (F) has good food and run by fine people. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory should be a great stop since you have an in. I had a project at Carnegie SVRA and used to eat lunch at Site 300 (LLNL). One of our (CASP) scientists was apprehended for stopping and taking a picture of the entrance of Site 300 (I). Took us about four hours to get him released. Security with not much to do

 

[Harry Dresden PI]

South from the city you can take Highway 1 to Carmel is nice. Also south is Skyline Road that dances on the top of the santa cruz hills and passed Alice's Restaurant.

I lived in the Bay Area for many years and stay away from morning and evening rush hours. Many of the professional people in the bay area are non nature born drivers and be on your guard at all times.

The Golden Gate Park in the city is nice to see.