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Message: [QUOTE="VaBeachOrFan, post: 1762622, member: 1274"] It is. Just got back from 2 1/2 weeks out there, driving 1,700 miles including 400 miles of Route 1 from Nepenthe (see avatar) just south of the Big Sur Post Office to the Lost Coast, some 200 miles north of SF where the road turns east toward the redwoods. Some notes on this famous route: * Bixby Bridge, south of Carmel, is the iconic photo, but it's not easy to negotiate the pull-off spots while you're looking to stay alive without holding up traffic. Remember, California doesn't believe in guard rails. * For the food, the view and the gift shop, Nepenthe is worth the trip, but it would be a 300-mile round trip from SF -- probably beyond your reach. * At least get to Half Moon Bay (doable) for lunch. Great shops and eats with less gridlock than Sausalito (not intending to pan Sausalito, just an observation). * Route 17 between Los Gatos (my HS town) and Santa Cruz is not for the timid --four narrow lanes of heavy traffic around tight, banked turns at high speed -- so avoid it if you want pleasant memories of the trip. * The scariest spot that the timid should avoid at all costs, though, is Route 1 between Fort Ross and Jenner Beach, north of Bodega Bay. The road is narrow and twisting (the signs tell you that) and hangs on the very edge of oblivion, at least 1,000 feet above the ocean below (the signs don't tell you that). The only other scene that similarly took my breath away was the Grand Canyon, by way of reference, so Dr. Evil may have a point. Places you could get to: * Try Skates restaurant in Berkeley. Don't worry, it's not in town, it's on a point overlooking all of SF Bay and its 3 bridges. Food is SF quality in flavor, originality and presentation, which tells you all you need to know. * Buena Vista Café in SF originated Irish Coffee in 1952 during a collaboration between its owner and SF Chronicle travel columnist Stanton Delaplane. They had to be clever to find a way to make the cream float, but they succeeded. * You can't drive down the crooked block of Lombard Street anymore, but you can drive down the steepest street (Filbert) on Russian Hill. Start from Hyde Street, but it will be a leap of faith because you can't see the street over the end of your hood as you start. * Don't try to drive through Napa Valley on the weekend -- it'll be gridlock. There are plenty of wineries in Sonoma County along Route 101. Try Graffiti's restaurant in Petaluma; Jackson's Bar & Oven in Santa Rosa; or Willi's (tapas) in Healdsburg for excellent food. Whatever you do, though, have fun, enjoy the vibe, and be glad you can visit SF without having to pay rent.-VBOF [/QUOTE]

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