Roundtrip San Francisco Stinson Beach Sanoma Sausolito
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 23-04-2025
Route Summary You will drive on many different types of roads, with beautiful sights along the way. The highlight is a section of the famous Pacific Coast Highway.
You drive through nice villages and towns where you can stop for a break, something to eat or drink or for sightseeing.
The route is almost 340 kilometers in total and can be done in an hour, but if you want to visit sights, it is an option to do this ride in two days with an overnight stay in Santa Rosa or Sonoma, where there are several hotels and motels.
I rate this route with 5 stars.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
11h 50m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
337.10 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review We leave early because we have a long route ahead of us with many possible stops at sights. We drive over many beautiful winding roads through California and come across enough places along the way where you can stop for a bite to eat.
The first part takes us through San Francisco itself, where we can visit the San Francisco Zoo, formerly the Fleishhacker Zoo, which is home to more than 250 animal species.
We drive through Golden Gate Park, with several places where we can stop for a short walk, a drink or some sightseeing.
Leaving the park, we turn right to drive through the hippie district of Haight-and-Ashbury, known as the birthplace of the hippie counterculture. It was the most popular hangout for hippies and the original Flower People in the 1960s and 1970s. There are many places to eat, souvenir shops, and all sorts of memorabilia for sale.
We can still encounter modern-day hippies. We drive past the homes of Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin and “The Grateful Dead”, all musicians who have had a great influence on music.
We drive back to the coast where we visit the “Camera Obscura & Holograph Gallery”. A Cliff House, with the “camera obscura”, an optical device that is essentially the grandfather of the modern camera. It is fascinating to look at. On this cliff are also a number of places where we can enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the Seal Rocks and the bay.
Less than 2 minutes away we can visit “The Sutro Baths”, which was a large public saltwater swimming pool in private ownership in the Lands End neighborhood. Adolph Sutro, the self-made millionaire who designed Sutro Heights and later the second Cliff House, developed the amazing Sutro Baths in 1894. With his special interest in natural history and marine studies, he built an aquarium with an ocean pool between the rocks north of the Cliff House. Sutro then expanded his oceanfront complex by building a huge public bathhouse that covered three acres and contained impressive engineering and artistic details.
It was built in 1894 and was located north of Ocean Beach, the Cliff House, Seal Rocks and west of Sutro Heights Park. The structure burned down to its concrete foundation in June 1966. The ruins are located within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Sutro Historic District, now only the foundations remain but in its day it was a beautiful public swimming pool.
We drive through the Presidio of San Francisco, a former US Army military fort and now a national park, with endless hiking trails, fun events and unforgettable views of the Golden Gate Bridge, there are several interesting places where you can stop to take pictures.
We will briefly visit the “Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center”. It tells the story of San Francisco’s most beloved icon. Explore the historical exhibits, talk to helpful staff, pick up a map of the Presidio, and purchase a souvenir to remember your adventure. The Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center is open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm. There are several viewpoints nearby where you can take great photos of this icon.
And then it's time to drive across the iconic and world famous Golden Gate Bridge. From the bridge you have a beautiful view of the bay when the weather is clear, but it is already an unparalleled experience to drive across this beautiful suspension bridge, enjoy the ride!
On the other side we can take some nice pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge and then drive part of the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway No. 1). This is a beautiful drive along the coast and through the mountains of California. The PCHW is in total 2,655 km from San Diego in California to Seattle in North America. I have described this route in other reviews as part of the Ultimate USA Roadtrip and at the links in this review you can find more information about the PCHW.
Along the way you will pass cozy seaside towns such as Stinson Beach, where you can enjoy a nice lunch or just relax on the beautiful beach. Enjoy the beautiful ride on the PCHW, and stop along the way to enjoy the view. After about 80 kilometers you will continue via beautiful roads through the vineyards of Sonoma County to the town of Sonoma, this is a cozy little town with nice shops and restaurants. You can also spend the night here if you want to drive this route in 2 days.
From Sonoma we drive via Petaluma and the Red Hill Road towards San Rafael, where we take another beautiful ride through China Camp State Park along the coast of San Pablo Bay.
Then we drive to Sausalito via Tiburon and Paradise Drive.
Sausalito has a number of very good restaurants, many with a terrace on the water with beautiful views of Richardson Bay, Angel Island and, in clear weather, “The Rock” and the San Francisco skyline.
Via the Golden Gate Bridge we drive back to San Francisco, we drive to Lombard street, this first goes steeply up and at the top you go down via the world famous winding road. It is only a short distance and at low speed but you have to have done it. And stop at the bottom to take a picture.
We drive through Presidio again, where the Walt Disney Museum and the Presidio Visitor Center are still worth a visit, depending on the time.
Before we drive to the end point, we pass “the Palace of Fine Arts”; a monumental neoclassical building that was built for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915 to exhibit works of art. It was demolished in 1964 and rebuilt in 1965. It is the only remnant of the 1915 World's Fair that still stands on its original site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 5, 2005. It has colonnades, reliefs and statues and is a major tourist attraction.
The end point of this beautiful journey is at Pier 39 on Fisherman's Wharf, here are many shops, bars, restaurants, the pier with sea lions and of course hotels in the immediate vicinity to stay overnight. More information about this at the links in this review.
Links 
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes 
California
About this region
California is a state in the Western United States. It shares a border with Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. With over 39.5 million residents across a total area of approximately 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2), it is the most populous and the third-largest U.S. state by area. It is also the most populated subnational entity in North America and the 34th most populous in the world. The Greater Los Angeles area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nation's second and fifth most populous urban regions respectively, with the former having more than 18.7 million residents and the latter having over 9.6 million. Sacramento is the state's capital, while Los Angeles is the most populous city in the state and the second most populous city in the country (after New York City). Los Angeles County is the country's most populous, while San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the country. San Francisco, which is both a city and a county, is the second most densely populated major city in the country (after New York City) and the fifth most densely populated county in the country, behind four of New York City's five boroughs.
The economy of California, with a gross state product of $3.2 trillion as of 2019, is the largest sub-national economy in the world. If it were a country, it would be the 37th most populous country and the fifth largest economy as of 2020. The Greater Los Angeles area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nation's second- and third-largest urban economies ($1.0 trillion and $0.5 trillion respectively as of 2020), after the New York metropolitan area ($1.8 trillion). The San Francisco Bay Area Combined Statistical Area had the nation's highest gross domestic product per capita ($106,757) among large primary statistical areas in 2018, and is home to five of the world's ten largest companies by market capitalization and four of the world's ten richest people.Prior to European colonization, California was one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas in pre-Columbian North America and contained the highest Native American population density north of what is now Mexico. European exploration in the 16th and 17th centuries led to the colonization of California by the Spanish Empire. In 1804, it was included in Alta California province within the Viceroyalty of New Spain. The area became a part of Mexico in 1821, following its successful war for independence, but was ceded to the United States in 1848 after the Mexican–American War. The western portion of Alta California was then organized and admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850, following the Compromise of 1850. The California Gold Rush started in 1848 and led to dramatic social and demographic changes, including large-scale immigration into California, a worldwide economic boom, and the California genocide of indigenous people.
Notable contributions to popular culture, for example in entertainment and sports, have their origins in California. The state also has made noteworthy contributions in the fields of communication, information, innovation, environmentalism, economics, and politics. It is the home of Hollywood, the oldest and largest film industry in the world, which has had a profound effect on global entertainment. It is considered the origin of the hippie counterculture, beach and car culture, and the personal computer, among other innovations. The San Francisco Bay Area and the Greater Los Angeles Area are widely seen as centers of the global technology and entertainment industries, respectively. California's economy is very diverse: 58% of it is based on finance, government, real estate services, technology, and professional, scientific, and technical business services. Although it accounts for only 1.5% of the state's economy, California's agriculture industry has the highest output of any U.S. state. California's ports and harbors handle about a third of all U.S. imports, most originating in Pacific Rim international trade.
The state's extremely diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast and metropolitan areas in the west to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east, and from the redwood and Douglas fir forests in the northwest to the Mojave Desert in the southeast. The Central Valley, a major agricultural area, dominates the state's center. Although California is well known for its warm Mediterranean climate and monsoon seasonal weather, the large size of the state results in climates that vary from moist temperate rainforest in the north to arid desert in the interior, as well as snowy alpine in the mountains. All these factors lead to an enormous demand for water. Over time, droughts and wildfires have increased in frequency and become less seasonal and more year-round, further straining California's water security.
Read more on Wikipedia
The economy of California, with a gross state product of $3.2 trillion as of 2019, is the largest sub-national economy in the world. If it were a country, it would be the 37th most populous country and the fifth largest economy as of 2020. The Greater Los Angeles area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the nation's second- and third-largest urban economies ($1.0 trillion and $0.5 trillion respectively as of 2020), after the New York metropolitan area ($1.8 trillion). The San Francisco Bay Area Combined Statistical Area had the nation's highest gross domestic product per capita ($106,757) among large primary statistical areas in 2018, and is home to five of the world's ten largest companies by market capitalization and four of the world's ten richest people.Prior to European colonization, California was one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas in pre-Columbian North America and contained the highest Native American population density north of what is now Mexico. European exploration in the 16th and 17th centuries led to the colonization of California by the Spanish Empire. In 1804, it was included in Alta California province within the Viceroyalty of New Spain. The area became a part of Mexico in 1821, following its successful war for independence, but was ceded to the United States in 1848 after the Mexican–American War. The western portion of Alta California was then organized and admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850, following the Compromise of 1850. The California Gold Rush started in 1848 and led to dramatic social and demographic changes, including large-scale immigration into California, a worldwide economic boom, and the California genocide of indigenous people.
Notable contributions to popular culture, for example in entertainment and sports, have their origins in California. The state also has made noteworthy contributions in the fields of communication, information, innovation, environmentalism, economics, and politics. It is the home of Hollywood, the oldest and largest film industry in the world, which has had a profound effect on global entertainment. It is considered the origin of the hippie counterculture, beach and car culture, and the personal computer, among other innovations. The San Francisco Bay Area and the Greater Los Angeles Area are widely seen as centers of the global technology and entertainment industries, respectively. California's economy is very diverse: 58% of it is based on finance, government, real estate services, technology, and professional, scientific, and technical business services. Although it accounts for only 1.5% of the state's economy, California's agriculture industry has the highest output of any U.S. state. California's ports and harbors handle about a third of all U.S. imports, most originating in Pacific Rim international trade.
The state's extremely diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast and metropolitan areas in the west to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east, and from the redwood and Douglas fir forests in the northwest to the Mojave Desert in the southeast. The Central Valley, a major agricultural area, dominates the state's center. Although California is well known for its warm Mediterranean climate and monsoon seasonal weather, the large size of the state results in climates that vary from moist temperate rainforest in the north to arid desert in the interior, as well as snowy alpine in the mountains. All these factors lead to an enormous demand for water. Over time, droughts and wildfires have increased in frequency and become less seasonal and more year-round, further straining California's water security.
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Statistics 
44Amount of RX reviews (California)
30540Amount of visitors (California)
805Amount of downloads (California)
Route Collections in this region Car or motorcycle tour through the western US
This collection contains all 15 routes driven by MRA Goldmember André ter Schegget during his three-week tour through the west of America.
The places to visit, the attractions and beautiful photo spots are nicely marked on the routes. The routes have been fully checked and made equal for the Garmin and the TomTom. Enjoy this wonderful trip and let us know how it was! Enjoy and stay safe!
Order of the tour:
Route 01: from Los Angeles and via Pacific Coast Highway to Solvang
Route 02: Solvang to Monterey / Pacific Grove
Route 03A: Monterey to San Francisco
Route 03B: if you are by car instead of the motorcycle, as motorcycles are not allowed on the 17 Mile Drive: from Monterey to the 17 Mile Drive and further to San Francisco
Route 04: from San Francisco via Nappa and Eldorado National Forrest to Topaz Lake
Route 05: from Topaz Lake via Bodie and Yosemite to Oakhurst
Route 06: from Oakhurst via Kings Canyon NP and Sequoia NP and Giant Forest to Exeter
Route 07: Exeter via Isabella Lake and Ridgecrest to Death Valley
Route 08: from Death Valley via Valley Of Fire to Mesquite
Route 09: from Mesquite via Zion NP and Dixie NF to Hatch
Route 10: Hatch via Bryce Canyon to Page
Route 11: from Page via Grand Canyon to Williams
Route 12: from Williams via Seligman and Route 66 to Kingman and via Hoover Dam to Las Vegas
Route 13: from Las Vegas via Oatman and Lake Havasu to Parker
Route 14: from Parker via Joshua Tree to Rancho Mirage
Route 15: Rancho Mirage via Palm Springs to Santa Monica
The places to visit, the attractions and beautiful photo spots are nicely marked on the routes. The routes have been fully checked and made equal for the Garmin and the TomTom. Enjoy this wonderful trip and let us know how it was! Enjoy and stay safe!
Order of the tour:
Route 01: from Los Angeles and via Pacific Coast Highway to Solvang
Route 02: Solvang to Monterey / Pacific Grove
Route 03A: Monterey to San Francisco
Route 03B: if you are by car instead of the motorcycle, as motorcycles are not allowed on the 17 Mile Drive: from Monterey to the 17 Mile Drive and further to San Francisco
Route 04: from San Francisco via Nappa and Eldorado National Forrest to Topaz Lake
Route 05: from Topaz Lake via Bodie and Yosemite to Oakhurst
Route 06: from Oakhurst via Kings Canyon NP and Sequoia NP and Giant Forest to Exeter
Route 07: Exeter via Isabella Lake and Ridgecrest to Death Valley
Route 08: from Death Valley via Valley Of Fire to Mesquite
Route 09: from Mesquite via Zion NP and Dixie NF to Hatch
Route 10: Hatch via Bryce Canyon to Page
Route 11: from Page via Grand Canyon to Williams
Route 12: from Williams via Seligman and Route 66 to Kingman and via Hoover Dam to Las Vegas
Route 13: from Las Vegas via Oatman and Lake Havasu to Parker
Route 14: from Parker via Joshua Tree to Rancho Mirage
Route 15: Rancho Mirage via Palm Springs to Santa Monica
View Route Collection
The 10 most downloaded routes in the USA from RouteXpert Hans van de Ven
Hello and welcome to this collection of the Top 10 MyRoute app downloaded routes in USA.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
View Route Collection