Driving south to DL

[mamaCta]

What is the best way to get through or around San Fransisco with a pick up truck and RV? I see several major routes on the map, which should we take?
We will be coming in from the North on the 101.

Thanks.

 

[MermaidHair]

Do you need to go through the city? Are you hoping to stay on 101 past SF? An alternative is 101 S to 580 E (Richmond bridge) to 5 S. can't help with the city route though- I only know how to drive it, not explain it!

 

[mamaCta]

We don't need to go directly through, but we do want to spend a day there. I haven't researched where we are going to stay in the area. Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[PinkBudgie]

We come from the North Bay and do not go through SF. For some reason, 101 just sort of lets you loose in SF and is not a freeway through the city. It drives me nuts. Every other city has a freeway that you can take to avoid city streets-but not SF. Like the PP said, we always go101 to 580 (over the Richmond bridge) and then to 5. I would avoid SF, especially with an RV and trailer!

Oh, just saw your next post as I posted. I don't know where to stay in SF. Do you have a car for driving around in SF without the RV?

 

[mamaCta]

What about taking the 880 through Hayward and Union City, down to San Jose? Would that be crazy talk?

 

[wbl2745]

Having grown up in the Bay Area and been back several times recently, I'd say that if you want to go through the City, from the Golden Gate Bridge go straight, following the signs for 19th Avenue. You'll go through Golden Gate Park and through the Sunset District, but you'll end up on 280 south which avoids the heavy traffic of 101 on the peninsula and 580 in the East Bay. 280 eventually runs into 101 again in the South Bay, which you'll take.

If you want to take 101 all the way to LA you'll add about an hour to trip over taking one of the roads from 101 over to I-5. 101 is very scenic, but slower.

If you're going to stay in the City, as you seem to say, it doesn't really make any difference what route you pick. There are a lot of hotels on Van Ness, which is the extension of 101 from the Golden Gate Bridge. At some point after the bridge you'll ver off toward the City. A reason to stay at one of the hotels on Van Ness is to be close to the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio. If you haven't seen this, it is great! Really worth you time.

Ideally, I'd go to Google Maps and ask it to find the best route from your origin to Disneyland. It may have you avoid San Francisco altogether.

Have fun!

 

[ParkHopper1]

I live in the Bay Area and drive to So Cal on a regular basis. There are only two routes that you really want to consider in my opinion assuming you want to get to DL as fast as possible. Both are almost equal times and distances.

First is HWY 80>580>5 south. This is the most direct shot...especially for a RV, but depending on when you leave can be a bad choice. If you are headed that way in the 3p-7p time frame, forget about it. 580 though Livermore Valley in rush hour(s) will make you WISH you were in LA traffic. I lived out there for a few years and it is still rated as one of the worst commutes. If you are leaving in the AM or night...go that way.

Second option is 280>85>101 down to Gilroy then across 152 to 5 South. This is the "go to " route for everyone on the South Bay to LA. If you are in rush hour, you will hit traffic getting through San Jose, but not nearly as bad as 580.

If you are not anywhere around traffic times, you can take 101 south through the peninsula, but I always go 280 headed down to Gilroy where I am originally from.

101 all the way south is an option but tack on at least an hour or two.

 

[ParkHopper1]

What about taking the 880 through Hayward and Union City, down to San Jose? Would that be crazy talk?

Yes this is crazy talk...some GPS and mapping systems say go over to the East Bay for some reason then south...but it really is a stupid route to San Jose. 101 or 280 are it to San Jose.

 

[mamaCta]

Say we wanted to take the scenic route down the 1 as much as we could? Is it worth the extra time spent? We have only driven down the coast as far south as Astoria OR.

 

[jenergy]

Say we wanted to take the scenic route down the 1 as much as we could? Is it worth the extra time spent? We have only driven down the coast as far south as Astoria OR.

I think it's worth it. The drive down 5 vs the drive down 101 is drastically different visually. 5 is boring and straight, 101 is beautiful and curvy.

 

[VandVsmama]

Just an fyi but there are LONG stretches on Hwy 1 that only go 25 mph with a narrow 2-lane road, no services or bathrooms, etc. It can add on an exrra 2-3 hours compared to 101 the whole way...and 101 takes longer than I-5.

 

[larina]

Say we wanted to take the scenic route down the 1 as much as we could? Is it worth the extra time spent? We have only driven down the coast as far south as Astoria OR.

This depends on how you want to travel. My opinion, no, don't take 1, it isn't worth it, unless you have your heart set on it. It will add a few hours to the trip for sure, could be several, especially if there is rain, fog or an accident, or, God forbid, a mud slide that washes out part of the highway (happens every few years). Now, 101 I would consider. It is longer than taking 5, but a MUCH prettier drive.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Highway 1 is gorgeous, but it adds an hour or 2 to the trip and there are long stretches without a place to stop. It's a very slow drive, but beautiful. So it depends on beauty vs. speed and convenience. I prefer taking the 101--good balance of scenery and convenience. Some even say skip the 101 and take the 5 because it's MUCH faster, but it's boring and depending on the time of year, horribly dry.