Heading for a road trip
in San Francisco can definitely be a great idea. The
sights and scenic beauty, The one-of-a-kind events and world-class food ,
welcoming people, the diversity and rich historyis something to look forward to
when on a trip around San Francisco. There are many intriguing places to
explore around San Francisco that you would love to hit the road in search of
fun and adventure.
Places
to visit when on a drive to San Francisco:
San Francisco to Sonoma County
Take a drive up tothe Highway 101 from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to the first
Sonoma County outpost you’ll reach is Petaluma, a foodie haven also known for
its wines and world-class beer and ales.Nestled along the Petaluma River and
built on secure bedrock, Petaluma was one of the few Bay Area communities not
seriously damaged in the 1906 earthquake. Its downtown includes well-preserved
historic buildings that now house boutiques, antique shops, specialty stores
and restaurants.
Making your way east from Petaluma on two-lane
roads brings you to the Sonoma Valley, nestled between two mountain ranges
along Sonoma County’s eastern edge. Known as the birthplace of wine in
California, this 17-mile long valley includes an amazing variety of landscapes
and microclimates, five of Sonoma County’s 17 distinct American
Viticultural Areas (known as AVAs or appellations), and the
welcoming communities of Sonoma, Glen Ellen and Kenwood.
Head from SAN FRANCISCO TO MONTEREY
Head south from San
Francisco or north from Los Angeles, a classic and spectacular route is along
the Pacific Coast’s Highway One, through beautiful Monterey County.
One hundred and twenty-nine miles (207 km) of
Highway One, from Monterey through Big Sur and down to San Luis Obispo, has
been declared an All-American Road by the U.S. Department of Transportation's
National Scenic Byways Program and a State Scenic Highway by the State of
California. The scenery simply can't be beat!
TAKE A DRIVE ON SKYLINE BOULEVARD
Most visitors to San Francisco head straight for
the iconic beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge and
Marin County. But if you’re looking for a great escape filled with curvy,
narrow roads and dramatic mountain views, look no further than a drive on
Skyline Boulevard. This hidden gem of a daytrip takes you on a spectacular
out-of-the-way drive in the heart of the Bay Area.
Roughly a forty-minute drive
(without traffic) from San Francisco, Skyline Boulevard (US-35) puts you on a
ridge road running atop the mountains that separate the San Mateo Peninsula
from the Pacific Ocean. If you’re starting in San Francisco, head south on
Highway 280 and follow the signs to Highway 92, as if you are going to Half
Moon Bay. Once on Highway 92, you’ll meander for a few minutes on a beautiful
tree-lined ascent to the summit.
When you get to the peak, turn
left onto Skyline Boulevard. You’re now driving on a winding road that offers a
series of scenic overlooks before taking you through a beautiful wooded area.
It’s an incredibly peaceful and bucolic setting, made all the more amazing when
you consider that you’re less than an hour from downtown San Francisco and only
moments from the harried multi-lane freeways of Silicon Valley.
Once you’re on Skyline Boulevard, take your time to enjoy the scenery. You might want to pull over to the side of the road (safely!) to take in the views. As you’re travelling south from where Skyline intersects with Highway 92, you’ll see the San Mateo Peninsula on your left. To the right, you’ll be treated to views of the lush mountain forests that stand between you and the Pacific Ocean.
Keep in mind that Skyline is a
prime destination for motorcyclists. And, on weekends especially, you’ll be
sharing the road with a fair share of road warriors. The region also offers
many great biking routes, even on the narrowest of roads.
Drive
North of San Franciscoto Mendocino County
Drive just two
hours North of San Francisco to Mendocino County and you'll discover a place
that's worlds away from ordinary. Mendocino County encompasses a number of
charming coastal villages with breathtaking proximity to the Pacific coastline,
historic attractions, an awe-inspiring redwood wilderness, a bucolic inland
landscape of rolling hills, vineyards and tasting rooms, and small towns that
haven't lost the true meaning of hospitality. Curl up to the view of the
dramatic coast from a seaside inn, stay at an eco friendly hotel, overnight at
a winery villa, find peace at a retreat in the redwoods or rent a Mendocino-style
house and stay for a while . Mendocino County is home to a number of year round
attractions and annual events. Go for a ride on the Skunk Train through the
redwood forest. Walk through the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, hike
hundreds of trails in state and regional parks, or mountain bike, canoe and
kayak. See the giraffe during a tour at B Bryan Preserve, or visit the Gualala
Arts Center on the South Coast. Head to the northern-most tip of the county to
visit Confusion Hill, and drive through the nearby famous Chandelier Tree (315
feet high). Taste at dozens of wineries located along Highway 128 in Anderson
Valley or along Hwy 101 in Ukiah, Redwood Valley and Hopland. The experiences
are unique and restoring, and waiting for you to discover. It's what you've
been missing.
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