On the Road: Mendocino to San Francisco
Posted 04-03-2007 11:56 pm
by Admin Admin
Well, Hwy 1 down the coast from Mendocino to San Francisco is as spectacular as I've always heard.
The views are absolutely amazing, and the road is a blast to drive. I was very glad I was driving though and not a passenger--I'm sure the tight twists and turns would not have been nearly as much fun from the passenger side. The stretch from Gualala south to Jenner, in particular, is just gorgeous. It's different from the Oregon coast--bare, dry cliffs with hardly any trees instead of the lush green forests that seem to drop right into the ocean up north--but equally as beautiful in its own way. But it is not a road for anyone in a hurry. It took me a good six hours to get from Mendocino to my hotel in San Francisco, with only a quick stop for fish & chips at the Tides Wharf in Bodega Bay (and a quick look at the church and schoolhouse from "The Birds" in the town of Bodega). But I'm really glad I drove it and would love to do it again sometime. One place I would have liked to have seen is Point Reyes National Seashore and lighthouse, but I just didn't have time this trip. The first view you get of San Francisco as you approach from the north is just breathtaking, as are the cliffs. I actually found this part to be the most frightening to drive, mostly because I was so frightened for the cyclists I passed! I think they are a little crazy to be cycling on that road with its sheer dropoffs and stretches without guardrails, frankly. I stayed at the Prescott Hotel, one of the Kimpton hotels, just off Union Square. I hadn't stayed here before (although I've probably stayed at 3-4 other Kimpton hotels in the area) and I quite liked it. My room wasn't huge but it was very comfortable. I did the night tour of Alcatraz that night--as many times as I've been to San Francisco, I'd never done Alcatraz. It was quite fun and the audio tour was very well done--normally I don't like audio tours but this was cool. One of my friends who lives in the Bay Area played tourist and came with me, bless her heart.
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