Day 14: Marina to Eureka, CA - 403 Miles
We decided to continue following the coast on Hwy 1 to San Francisco. Some day I will go up the middle of the peninsula and see Palo Alto, Stanford, Menlo Park and all the rest again. It's been many, many years. Just didn't feel like hassling the traffic.
First stop is a slow meander along the shoreline south of Santa Cruz, eventually arriving at their famous boardwalk. Rode coasters here as a kid.
Past Half Moon Bay to a stop at Pescadero Beach. Still extremely windy. You are sandblasted if you get out of the car.
Stopped for a snack - thought this looked cool.
We were just going to follow the western edge of the peninsula until you have to turn east and then get on the 101 to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. That didn't happen and we came inland sooner, smack dab in San Francisco. . Ended up in the Twin Peaks neighborhood, an area of lovely houses that neither of us had ever been in. And my wife even lived in San Francisco for a year after college. Nice weather, nicer view.
Made our way over the bridge and stopped at the viewpoint. The best viewpoint is on the other side of the 101 and way up a hill. Next time.
San Francisco
Haven't been to an In-N-Out in a while. Pretty good.
Outside of Santa Rosa, the 101 turns into a delightful highway - and very scenic. Hadn't been through this section in years.
Went through the town of Ukiah. We have one in Oregon. Turns out it was named after this one.
Had to stop and get a good front picture of the historic Benbow Inn. Been through here many times, even stayed here, never got a good picture.
Cool arched bridge in the backyard
Just a little further north you get the option of staying on the 101, or detouring off onto the Avenue of the Giants. It's always gotta be Avenue of the Giants. The road narrows, your speed is cut in half and suddenly you are door handle to bark with 1,000 year old Redwoods. Truly magnificent trees.
The little town of Miranda provided a nice backdrop.
You can travel about 30 miles on the Avenue, lots of turnouts and places to stop.The trees grow absolutely right on the edge of the road. Watch those mirrors.
Well worth the extra time. Our third trip through the Avenue in 7 years. Eureka is just up the road. One day left.