Hello, I'm new to this forum. We are from the UK and are arriving in San Fran in Sept for a two week trip. Where do you think we should go and what should we see? Apart from a hotel in San Fran when we arrive, we are free to travel anywhere. Don't mind doing 3 - 4 hours a day.

 

Their's much to see here are some tips.&nbsp\\; You will need to spend some time mapping based on your schedule.
Head North from SF over Golden Gate Bridge (very cool on a MC) up Hwy. 101 to Manzanita - it's a short drive.&nbsp\\; Get on Shoreline Hwy and take that West over to the coast and on to Hwy. 1.&nbsp\\; Take Hwy 1 North for some beautiful riding.&nbsp\\; If time allows, continue on up to Redwoods State Park which is off HWY 101 (check a map)&nbsp\\; You can get there by taking Hwy 1 all the way up until it merges into the 101 - or cut over at Fort Bragg on HWY 20.&nbsp\\; I've not been to Redwoods but here it's awesome. Hwy 1 is very twisty in pats.&nbsp\\; Mendocino is beautiful.

Next stop, the Napa/Sonoma Wine Country. It's N.E. of S.F.&nbsp\\; If you go all the way up to the Redwoods, just come back down the 101 to access Napa.&nbsp\\; If don't want to go all the way up the coast as far as the Redwoods.... you can cut over to the Napa area on a couple of really nice roads.&nbsp\\; Hwy 116 exits Hwy 1 at Jenner, which is just above Bodega Bay.&nbsp\\; You ride along the Russian River.. beautiful.&nbsp\\; Another option is further up Hwy 1, exit Hwy 126 which takes you over to Hwy 101 where you would head south down to Napa... beautiful ride too.
Depending how far north you go, you can get in to the wine country off of Hwy. 101 on Hwy 128, or Mark West Springs Road out of the city of Fulton, or Sonoma Highway out of city of Santa Rosa, both cities sit on Hwy 101.&nbsp\\; I did Sonoma Hwy but would like to have come down through Calistoga and St. Helena on the way down to Napa (South).

Next stop, Lake Tahoe.&nbsp\\; From Napa get on Hwy 80 North through Sacramento on up to city of Truckee and then south down Hwy 267 to the Lake.&nbsp\\; Drive west side of Lake to South Lake Tahoe where there's plenty of reasonable lodging and gambling.&nbsp\\; Check out Emerald Bay on the way.

Next, Yosimite.&nbsp\\; Exit South Lake Tahoe - down Hwy 89 though Markleeville.&nbsp\\; Just after Markleeville the 89 cuts off to the east over to Hwy 395.&nbsp\\; Go south on 395 to the Tioga Pass to access Yosimite..... spectacular ide up the mountain.&nbsp\\; Ride through the park and make sure you take the road into "The Valley" portion of the park.&nbsp\\;

The trip described above is really scenic and only boring piece is between Napa and up towards truckee... but a small price to pay.&nbsp\\; If you are looking for more riding, consider heading west out of Yosimite back over to coast (boaring/hot, but you can't get 100% paradise)&nbsp\\; Access coast at Santa Cruz and go south through Monterey.. touristy but beautiful..... south through Carmel and Big Sur...... more beautiful.&nbsp\\; If time allows keep going south - stay in Cambria.. very cool.&nbsp\\; Stay at small motels/hotels on Moonstone Beach.

If going back to San Francisco from Cambria keep heading south through Pismo Beach and on to the Hwy 101 and North.&nbsp\\;

You won't be disappointed.

Enjoy.



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Hi Bkglide, Wow! Thanks so much for that. We will be doing it, sounds great. I'll send you a postcard!

 

Any ideas on the best route to take from Santa Barbara to Furnace Creek in Death Valley.

 

&lt\\;\\\\\\;Any ideas on the best route to take from Santa Barbara to Furnace Creek in Death Valley.&gt\\;\\\\\\;
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
Yes, a plane! Sit on the left side and look out the window. When you&nbsp\\;land in Vegas have a drink.
[sm=badbadbad.gif]&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;If you see this guy it's too late! Pack extra water.