Even with the tight schedule, don't forget to stop every once in awhile for a photo-op/Kodak moment on the way up. Plenty of turnouts to get a good view.
And definitely, if you can get to the water anywhere between Carmel and Santa Cruz, do it. Not for the sandy beaches like down San Diego way, but for the rocky outcrops to watch the waves and check out a tide-pool or two.
Maybe rent some binoculars with that car? Whale watching (or even oil tanker watching!) can be cool.
Might as well make a quick side-trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea just before you get to Monterey. You know... To see if Clint Eastwood is home and entertaining visitors!
Driving up to San Francisco from Santa Cruz is often more crowded, but no less pleasing to the eye. Stop in any restaurant that looks good when it's time to feed. I've been meaning to try La Costanera just north of Half Moon Bay (Montara) and some Bronco friends love it. It's a bit pricey (even for us jaded Californians) but not so bad you choke on the bill. If your timing is right, try it and let us know what you think.
You might pass parks, or Wildlife Refuges at different spots. Ano Nuevo just north of Santa Cruz is where the sea lions come to have babies. Point Lobos state reserve just south of Carmel, places like that.
Monterey Bay Aquarium is a good couple of hours spent, but it's not something necessarily to take an important block of time out of your schedule if you're running tight and have been to aquariums before. But it is pretty special.
The Presidio of San Francisco, Golden Gate park, and of course the bridge, are all nice driving/walking/skateboarding(%)) destinations.
If you're running into lunch or dinner time at any of these spots, the Rio Grille in Carmel is a decent spot where locals hang out in a strip mall away from the "downtown" mass of humanity. In Monterey the Tinnery (if it's still called that?) right on lovers point used to be pretty nice. And run by a guy with a nice Stroppe Baja Bronco to boot! Been awhile, so don't know if any of that last info is correct for the Tinnery.
Carmel's 17 Mile Drive is for real "tourists" if you like seeing how the other half lives and don't mind paying for it. And yes, I've done it with friends and family like five or six times now(!) so can't say it's bad. Just not great for a tight schedule.
But hey, if you're a golfer... Need I say more?
Definitely head over the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito if you're in a walking mood and want to see a little bit of the bay close up. Good eats too for the most part.
Lots of restaurant recommendations in SF proper of course. Sometimes I think the whole city has gone food happy! But, to our benefit generally.
Oh, and WILD HORSES!!!!!!!;D
Once you're out of the city heading east, we're about an hour give or take. Not sure how much into the Bronco thing your wife is (by necessity or by choice?), but if she's game, definitely stop on by and take a look around.
It's not such a "tour destination" from a visual standpoint, but hey, it's all about the Broncos!
And Lodi is known for some wine tasting, so maybe you can get some of that into the mix.
And last but not least, speaking of wine tasting... If you have time at all, definitely drive up north of the city into at least the beginning of the redwood forests. Lived here 60 years myself, and that stuff just don't get old. Knowwhatimean?
Or heck, just get out of the car and walk around the city and grab a cable car down to the warf, check out the old ships, watch the seals that took over the old yacht harbor, go to the Exploratorium, and maybe catch a ball game and AT&T Park.
If they're sold out, you don't really need a ticket. Just walk around the back side, peek through the fence, and catch a home run ball before it goes into the drink.
And enjoy. I just scratched the surface, but it's all about how you see and feel everything. Not how high it is on some guide's list.
Paul
