Hello and thanks all in advance! We are heading to Van Damme state Park in Northen California from southern OR and wanted to know if driving through San Francisco is reccomended?? We are pulling a 27 ft trailer? If not, can anyone recommend an alternative route that will get me back on the 101 to head towards Van Damme state park? We would like to be on the coast as much as possible. Thanks!

CA 1 near Legett and the GG is twisty but doable. As in 15 MPH switch backs. Not a typo.Do not take 101 through SF, instead after the GG take the second right onto 19th Ave/CA 1 to 280. Or if you want turn right on Geary to the ocean which will merge with CA 1. Mid day only about 6 miles to 280, stay in the center lane. Then 85 in SJ. 37, 80, 780, 680, 101 slightly better if it's not a Sears Point race day.580, 880, 101 and you deal with Berkley and Oakland.All about the same distance and time except for traffic. GG south bound toll due but NO cash or toll takers S bound. Drive through, pre pay, post pay, pay online or get a bill unless you have FastTrak. Right lane only both directions.For others: Almost all of CA 1 north of SF is prohibited for MH's over 40'. As is CA 1 south of Carmel, steep drop offs so some take it once and never again. No N bound toll on the GG.Correction to the highway name.

Driving through SF with a TT is doable and fun for me. Follow CA Traveler’s advice however.

CA Traveler wrote:US 1 near Legett and the GG is twisty but doable. As in 15 MPH switch backs. Not a typo.Do not take 101 through SF, instead after the GG take the second right onto 19th Ave/US 1 to 280. Or if you want turn right on Geary to the ocean which will merge with US 1. Mid day only about 6 miles to 280, stay in the center lane. Then 85 in SJ. 37, 80, 780, 680, 101 slightly better if it's not a Sears Point race day.580, 880, 101 and you deal with Berkley and Oakland.All about the same distance and time except for traffic. GG south bound toll due but NO cash or toll takers S bound. Drive through, pre pay, post pay, pay online or get a bill unless you have FastTrak. Right lane only both directions.For others: Almost all of US 1 north of SF is prohibited for MH's over 40'. As is US 1 south of Carmel, steep drop offs so some take it once and never again. No N bound toll on the GG.I think you mean CA 1 (CA Coastal Highway) unless they have moved US 1 from the east coast! :N

I’m confused. If you are driving from southern Oregon to Van Damme State Park why would you be going through San Francisco? If that is the case I recommend using CA 1 through the city. Definitely not the 101.

S OR to Redwoods | Good Sam Community

bikendan
Explorer
Jul 25, 2019
er78mph wrote:
Sorry for the confusion, we're taking the 101 from Van Damme over to Hearst Castle and was wondering the best route. My apologies again, I was rushing when I posted. I dont have to go all the way to the 5 to head south? We would prefer the 101 but just trying to know to best route through SF.

101 doesn't go directly to Hearst Castle. You either take 101S, then cut over to Highway 1 by Highway 46. Or you drive south on Highway 1 from Carmel, which I wouldn't advise if you're not a well experienced tower.
Since you posted this thread, in the Beginning RV section, I assume you are not an experienced tower.
WaterJosh
Explorer
Jul 25, 2019
Heck, I try to avoid going through SF in a car, much less with a trailer
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2019
19th Ave is the best route through SF. That and the other 2 routes I posted are the best routes through the bay area and on down 101.
er78mph
Explorer
Jul 22, 2019
Sorry for the confusion, we're taking the 101 from Van Damme over to Hearst Castle and was wondering the best route. My apologies again, I was rushing when I posted. I dont have to go all the way to the 5 to head south? We would prefer the 101 but just trying to know to best route through SF.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Jul 21, 2019
bukhrn wrote:
Two Hands wrote:
I’m confused. If you are driving from southern Oregon to Van Damme State Park why would you be going through San Francisco? If that is the case I recommend using CA 1 through the city. Definitely not the 101.
Glad someone from CA posted this question, I was going to ask this but not being from the area, I thought there was some secret route, north to go south. ;)

I'm there too? I have no idea why you would have to go through SF to go from Or to VD?
bukhrn
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2019
Two Hands wrote:
I’m confused. If you are driving from southern Oregon to Van Damme State Park why would you be going through San Francisco? If that is the case I recommend using CA 1 through the city. Definitely not the 101.
Glad someone from CA posted this question, I was going to ask this but not being from the area, I thought there was some secret route, north to go south. ;)
bikendan
Explorer
Jul 21, 2019
er78mph wrote:
Hello and thanks all in advance!
We are heading to Van Damme state Park in Northen California from
southern OR and wanted to know if driving through San Francisco is reccomended?? We are pulling a 27 ft trailer? If not, can anyone recommend an alternative route that will get me back on the 101 to head towards Van Damme state park? We would like to be on the coast as much as possible. Thanks!

which direction are you talking about? going north thru SF to Van Damme or going south from So. Oregon?
personally, i would avoid pulling a 27' TT through SF. i would go around through the East Bay, then across to San Rafael to 101N.
Two_Hands
Explorer
Jul 21, 2019
I’m confused. If you are driving from southern Oregon to Van Damme State Park why would you be going through San Francisco? If that is the case I recommend using CA 1 through the city. Definitely not the 101.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2019
Thanks, Updated the name.
accsys
Explorer
Jul 20, 2019
CA Traveler wrote:
US 1 near Legett and the GG is twisty but doable. As in 15 MPH switch backs. Not a typo.

Do not take 101 through SF, instead after the GG take the second right onto 19th Ave/US 1 to 280. Or if you want turn right on Geary to the ocean which will merge with US 1. Mid day only about 6 miles to 280, stay in the center lane. Then 85 in SJ.

37, 80, 780, 680, 101 slightly better if it's not a Sears Point race day.

580, 880, 101 and you deal with Berkley and Oakland.

All about the same distance and time except for traffic.

GG south bound toll due but NO cash or toll takers S bound. Drive through, pre pay, post pay, pay online or get a bill unless you have FastTrak. Right lane only both directions.

For others: Almost all of US 1 north of SF is prohibited for MH's over 40'. As is US 1 south of Carmel, steep drop offs so some take it once and never again. No N bound toll on the GG.

I think you mean CA 1 (CA Coastal Highway) unless they have moved US 1 from the east coast! :N

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