How we ended up going (coming?) to SF (San Jose, San Francisco: neighborhood, buying)

[Tek_Freek]

We originally had a two-week driving trip planned to Tennessee for late summer this year. We were going to look for a place to retire. We already have one lot purchased, but we want to look in some other areas.

Last week "A Lot Like Love" was on TV. During the movie the lead characters were driving through a desert. I turned to my wife and said "The next time we go to Vegas, why don't we drive?" We go to Vegas every couple of years - $99 on Allegiant Air. She thought it was a great idea! The more I thought about it the more I realized we should skip Tennessee (we were there last year) and drive to Vegas instead.

Knowing it's not that far to the coast from Vegas I figured we would go to Vegas for a few days then skip over to SF before coming home. Google wanted to send us through Denver, but that became a southern route through KC, Wichita, Albuquerque, Flagstaff (a run up to The Grand Canyon) right past Vegas, and then spend the bulk of our time in SF and surrounding area. Salt Lake on the way home. Las Vegas can wait.

So, we're coming to SF for a week!

Now we have to figure out what to do when we get there... any ideas for two almost-ready-to-retire travelers? We are very active so we will spend days on the run!

[sliverbox]

First of all, congrats on the move to TN. Beautiful state. Secondly, If I were planning a Western trip, I would consider Death Valley. It isn't that far from Vegas and it has some off the most bizzare/beautiful scenery I've seen.

[Tek_Freek]

Yeah, we like TN except for a couple of minor things: No casinos, buying hard liquor is a cr*p shoot, going to lose that $99 ticket to Vegas. Weather sure is better than Iowa and the people we've met while there have been really nice. Not too far from a lot of nice places and a lot closer to oceans than here! Mountains.

Thanks for the Death Valley idea. Probably would have never thought of it, and I think it's a place we would like to visit.

It does pay off to post on this site.

More, I want more ideas!

[Kingsnkali]

Two days isn't nearly enough time. I would do the obligatory drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. It's better going southbound in my opinion. You can come back to SF from the wine country via highway 37 to 101. Eat at the restaurants in China Town or the Sunset neighborhood. Carmel, Santa Cruz, Monterey and Big Sur. Hearst Castle. Bodega Bay. When in doubt, just relax and drive Highway 1. You just don't have enough time. Have lunch on that pier in Santa Cruz. Take the boat ride to Alcatraz. Or better yet, jump on the Wacky Jacky charter boat in SF and go Salmon fishing outside the Gate. See Lake Tahoe on the way back. Catch Reno in the evening for the pretty lights. Play the Clint Eastwood slot machines at the El Dorado. Fistful of Dollars. They are loose!

You don't have enough time.

Have a nice trip

[NewToCA]

Carmel, Monterey and Muir Woods (about a 1/2 hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge would be near the top of my list. The drive to Carmel/Monterey via Half Moon Bay is pretty special too.

The drive on Rt 50 from east of Sacramento to Lake Tahoe is pretty nice too.

[Luke9686]

Hey,

I've seen quite a few of your posts on the Des Moines Iowa forum. I live in San Jose now.

After you hit Death Valley, it would be worth it to shoot over to Sequoia National Park and see the world's largest trees. After that head west on 180 to 41, then go north to Yosemite National Park. Take in a day of El Capitan and Half Dome.

From there you could take Highway 140 to 99, head south then get on 152 towards Los Banos/Gilroy. From there you could head south on the 101 into Monterey and do the 17 Mile Drive. That takes you along some beautiful coastline and by the famous Pebble Beach. I think there is a golf course around there, not sure though (jk).

From there you could head up the famous CA Highway 1 all the way through Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, and into San Francisco.

Once in San Francisco you half to do all the tourist stuff. Fisherman's Wharf is a must, as is the Golden Gate Bridge. Height Ashbury is also a must, just to say you've done it. Also Lombard Street is pretty cool. It's supposed to be the windiest road in the world. Downtown SF is pretty cool also. The trolley cars are neat too. The SF zoo is fun. Oh and don't forget about The Rock; Alcatraz.

You could head north about 50 miles into Napa Valley (wine country).

About 200 miles east on I-80 is Lake Tahoe, always a blast.

Down closer to San Jose off Highway 9 is Portola Redwoods State Park and Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Hope that info overload helps.

[Tek_Freek]

Two days isn't nearly enough time.

Check my OP. We'll be there a week.

Wow! I think you've all filled up a week! I do feel pretty good about some of the choices I am considering. There in your lists!

Napa Valley/Sonoma is a must for us. Wine lovers. GG Bridge absolutely. Hearst Castle we are planning on as well as that drive up the coast to SF. Some of the other suggestions are exactly what we need.

Luke figured out where we live... Snowed this week, got pretty cold. Hoping for the 50's next week.

I appreciate all the input and will welcome more. Thanks a lot everyone.

Tek

[Tek_Freek]

They're in your lists.

Sheesh, I hate typos!