San Francisco Travel Forum

I am traveling from Portland Oregon to San Francisco and wanted to take the scenic route. Both AAA and mapquest take me along the coast on 101 but when 101 begins to go east, they keep me on that route rather than taking me on to Highway 1. Is there a reason not to travel down highway 1 to San Francisco vs staying on 101? If I went onto highway 1 it looks like the first city would be Ferndale.

If I take highway 1 rather than the route suggested by those two source of staying on highway 101, how much longer would it be to drive down the coast?
Thanks

If you don't stop for sightseeing, 101 will be quicker. Hwy 1 is not surprisingly going to give you beautiful coastal scenery most of the way, with pleasant stops along the way in places like Mendocino. There aren't any big towns going south from there along the Sonomoa coast, but it's pretty.

If you take the inland route there is plenty to see also, especially if you like to go to some wineries. To mix things up a bit, you can go south on 1 past Mendicino and take the Anderson Valley route across to highway 101. It's very pretty, and has several nice wineries like Navarro, which are more low key that the ones further inland.

My husband and I drove down the coast using Highway 1 as much as possible a couple of years ago, and it was a wonderful experience! If you have the time and want a truly scenic drive, I say go for it!! Be aware though, that the road is often winding and twisty, and can be narrow, but the views of the rocky coastal regions, and the redwood forests, and the little surprise beaches, are really worth it in MHO. And there are darling little towns along the way that have lots of personality!

Get yourself a really good map, though, and study it carefully. For instance, you won't hit Ferndale unless you take a side trip - the highway turns east before getting to Ferndale. When you get to Leggett, you'll have the opportunity to catch Highway 1 from 101 and follow the coast again.

Enjoy!