Things to do in Northern California?

[Sigarms]

Booked a night in Half Moon Bay on a Saturday night. Plan would be to drive through SF to Muir woods Sunday.

It would make more sense to connect Half moon bay from Monterey, but I'm thinking a weekend morning through SF would have less commuter traffic.

2 questions for those with experience

1 - Best route? Assume R1 up and over the Golden Gate Bridge?
2 - Best place to take some pictures of the the Golden Gate Bridge? (honestly, if there is crime in the area, the thought of a place like this for pictures being a "targeted spot" for tourons aka tourists, would be high on my list).

 

[ericm979]

Yea highway 1 is the quickest way through. When I transit through SF that's how I go. You're not seeing much of the city this way though. I think the waterfront and the tourist stuff there is worth a visit.

Everyone stops at the rest stop on the north side of the golden gate. I have stopped there a zillion times and never seen even broken glass from car breakins let alone any sign of criminals. I feel like a broken record but really, crime is not something to worry about.

From there you can access the walking path that takes you onto the bridge. Don't be surprised if its foggy. Also there will be a lot of tourists there. The Presidio just south of the golden gate is kinda nice but to be honest I'd keep going to Marin and the headlands.

If you are wearing shorts and sandals in SF you will a) look like a tourist and b) be really cold. It's common for there to be a cold wind blowing fog through the city, in summer. Bring jackets.

This is often true of the whole coast. When I lived 6 hours north on the coast in the summer the fog rolled in every day at 11am. When the interior of CA warm up it pulls in cold air from over the ocean (which is cold here) and that generates fog.

 

[MGP4506]

First family vacation in a while. Planning on two weeks around Yosemite middle of August with wife and son (before he ships out for basic). Boy always seemed enamored with Yosemite, so we're planning the trip around that national park.

Flying into Sacramento, renting a vehicle. Wife has the town picked out, forget the name, but not to far from the park.

Used to spend a lot of time out in Idaho and Montana in my youth Kayaking, but always traveled early may because it seemed the tourists (which we will be a part of) exploded in those states right after Memorial day.

1 - How bad will the crowds be? (hate to ask, but have to)

2 - Looks to be a 8 hour drive to the redwood forest from Yosemite. Always wondered what that place is like myself, and would it be worth the drive?

3 - What other things would one consider worth doing and visiting around that area. I'm blind when it comes to northern California (anything North of San Diego).

The #1 thing to do in CA (Northern, Southern, Central...) Pack up and leave

 

[California]

Booked a night in Half Moon Bay on a Saturday night. Plan would be to drive through SF to Muir woods Sunday.

It would make more sense to connect Half moon bay from Monterey, but I'm thinking a weekend morning through SF would have less commuter traffic.

2 questions for those with experience

1 - Best route? Assume R1 up and over the Golden Gate Bridge?
2 - Best place to take some pictures of the the Golden Gate Bridge? (honestly, if there is crime in the area, the thought of a place like this for pictures being a "targeted spot" for tourons aka tourists, would be high on my list).

Yes, SR 1. Expect congestion but the alternatives are boring freeway, and longer. You go through Golden Gate Park which is a worthwhile destination itself - museums, exhibits, Japanese Tea Garden.

More than you asked for. Your kid might like to hike down to Marshall's Beach, the most likely spot for nude sunbathing.

The 17 Best Views of the Golden Gate Bridge. A Local's Tips.

Here's a map and directions, with photos, for all the best places to see the Golden Gate Bridge.

www.inside-guide-to-san-francisco-tourism.com

Some places there is risk your car will be broken into if you aren't there and luggage is visible. Personal risk of mugging etc is zero. Pickpocket? Maybe. Ordinary urban 'street smarts' needed.

Added, again after seeing Eric's related post:

Yes. You will freeze in shorts. Dress for bone-chilling fog and wind. SF is notorious for summers colder than winter. As he noted, heat inland draws ocean fog in through the Golden Gate (lowest point in the coast range). You will likely see 90-100 degrees when you land in Sacramento (central valley), similar in Angels Camp, and what feels like fall weather at the coast.

 

[California]

The #1 thing to do in CA (Northern, Southern, Central...) Pack up and leave

Better yet stay home.

 

[Sigarms]

See image below.

A = a smart arse comment that does nothing for me per my question seeking help. Added the fact that the poster from "A" only has 62 posts and joined in 2023.

B = a guy from California who has been here since 2004 and has over 13,000 posts and knows California.

IMO it's not the post count that matters, but how much help you offer when giving advice on a internet forum when someone is asking for help.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not fond of California (the state, not the member LOL) just due to my own industry and how California affects what I need to know per federal guidelines (generally picked up from California) but just because someone lives in a particular area you may not like does not make them a bad person. Heck, I own guns and that's one reason why I stay out of California. That said, my son on this trip trumps anything I want, I'm doing what HE wants.

From my own experience in dealing with people from anywhere in the world, people are more similar than you would think. Good people, bad people, smart arse people, and people with common sense who due unto others as they would have done unto them and actually try to lead a good life with others.

MGP4506 - "no crap sherlock, go suck on it" and thank you for nothing per your response.

California - A sincere thanks.

One could argue that better people live in California then wherever MPG54506 is from. Go figure...

If we stop to take pics, common sense tells me not to leave the car out of site. That same comment would go for a lot of cities OUTSIDE of California as well. That's one reason why I would look for a 1/2"X24" pipe nipple. When I pick up the rental vehicle (RAV4 new, $800 for two weeks which we didn't think was bad), I need to check the jack. Need to ensure that the inside diameter of the nipple will fit the jack so it will make it easier to get the vehicle off the road if I need it. You need to think about these things when a LEO asks you why you have something in your possession that could be construed as a weapon

MGP4506, no reason to respond since you've show your true colors in your first response per a sincere question of mine

EDIT - Apologies MGP4506, I can be just as big as an arsehole.

 

[Sigarms]

If you are wearing shorts and sandals in SF you will a) look like a tourist and b) be really cold. It's common for there to be a cold wind blowing fog through the city, in summer. Bring jackets.

What's ironic is I have the same habit as my dad and my FIL had. I'll wear the same clothes even when they get holes in them and they're ready to fall off. My wife has accused me of dressing like a bum.

Honestly surprised it would be that cold in California that time of year.

 

[kenmbz]

What's ironic is I have the same habit as my dad and my FIL had. I'll wear the same clothes even when they get holes in them and they're ready to fall off. My wife has accused me of dressing like a bum.

Honestly surprised it would be that cold in California that time of year.

At nightfall in summer the sheatshirt vendors appear in droves.
It's the temp difference, warm day and cold night that gets ya.

 

[Sigarms]

And thanks California and Eric!

I really kind of hate this. When I was single and went away for a couple of weeks, I'd go where I wanted and never had a plan other than knowing what activity I was doing. Things change a little when your married and taking a son.

 

[California]

Only cold out at the coast where the ocean fog is sucked inland, as the heated inland air rises. Warmer a few miles inland. And of course it can be chilly up at the snowline in the Sierras.

You'll see Santa Cruz hoodies wherever you go in tourist country. Unexpected surprise purchases by tourists who froze their tails off.