Expert: Ernest Tufft - 9/11/2007

Question
Hi, My wife and I are flying to Phoenix in mid-March 2008 and plan to drive to San Francisco over about a two week period.  We've seen LA before and don't need to return.  And we have no desire to spend time in Las Vegas.  We would appreciate a recommended scenic route for that time of year.  We plan to visit the Desert Museum near Tucson on the trip.  We interested in natural beauty as well as museums.  It probably is not a good time to visit wineries.

Answer
Thanks for the question.  As a general resource, I have many pages of
writing and images at Virtualtourist.com under the membername of
atufft.  Regarding your itinerary, I would recommend driving along the
Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1), which is relatively fog free at that
time of year, even if cold.  The section between San Luis Obispo and
Monterey is spectacular.  Since winter rains come mostly in January
and February, you may find repairs in progress in a spot or two, where
the highway had slid into the ocean.  If such a slide happens to close
that route, then alternate route, The El Camino Real, Hwy 101 is also
very good, with recommended stops at California Missions along the
scenic way within the beautiful inland valleys near the coast.  These
routes can be taken either on your way north to San Francisco or on
your way south back to Phoenix.  Either direction, you'll be crossing
over a low range of mountains via CA-46 between I-5 and Paso Robles
(use Mapquest.com for specific details) to avoid the worst of the
congested LA basin.

The month of March does present some challenges in terms of crossing
the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, as many routes are closed in winter,
or are a snowy nuisance to drive through.  Therefore, I recommend
driving from Las Vegas through to Tahoe via Death Valley on Highway
395, which stays open all year.  Mono Lake and the backside of the
snowy Sierras will be see from the relative comfort of the high
desert.  I-80 from Reno/Lake Tahoe area over Donner Pass through to
Sacramento is kept open except in the worst of snow storms and should
be relatively easy to drive.  But, take chains as they may be
required.  Should you decide to ski, major resorts are along this
route as well.

Actually, contrary to popular belief, winter is a great time to visit
the wine country!  The beauty of the bare vines, neatly clipped on
their trellises, accompany well the relaxed low season tourism.  This
is a good time to talk to wine makers and take a barrel sample or two.
Many wines are released in March.  A glass of port or red wine is a
good way to romance warmly in a B&B within the Napa Valley.  Tasting
rooms are generally open all year around, and they certainly will be
by March.

Naturally, San Francisco will be the highlight of this trip,
particularly if you have never been there before.  The first
recommendation though is to abandon the beloved rental car and use the
MUNI transit system (Google MUNI), perhaps the best in the United
States.  In addition to the cable cars (which should be less crowded
in winter), there are antique trolleys, electric buses, and the
underground MUNI train system.  There's also BART and the Ferries that
ply the San Francisco Bay for excursions just outside the city.  While
the rental car will be useful for a scenic drive over Twin Peaks or
down twisty Lombard Street, parking will normally be such a hassle
that anyone capable of walking will soon find public transport more
convenient, and more "green"--a motivating theme in SF these days.
March is San Francisco will be cold, but not bitterly so, and
generally a warm jacket and neck warmer will be enough to brave the
winter breezes.  Rain and fog are rare in March.

A ferry boat ride to Sausilito, and a walk along Telegraph Ave and in
to the UC Berkeley Campus are good excursions from SF.

I also recommend spending a few days in the Monterey Bay area, a day
or so in Santa Cruz (downtown), the Aquarium in Monterey, a drive
along the 14 mile drive in Pebble Beach, and dinner in Carmel.

Now, the city of Palm Desert is recommended over the rather seedy Palm
Springs, although both are within the Coachella Valley east of LA,
where dates can be bought and warm weather enjoyed.  This would be a
good way to return after visiting the exciting but cooler norther part
of California.

Have Fun!