Just a few pointers please

Question

I am going to LA and driving up to spend a few days in San Francisco. I will be driving on PCH and stopping halfway, then hopefully staying a few days in Columbus motor inn. We then intend to see Alcatraz, take the open top tour busses, obviously look at the local tourists spots and then drive right round the bay and back to LA.

Here ar my questions looking for help.

How long to drive right round the bay ?? From , imagine it's a clock face, San Francisco at 9 o'clock to san Jose at 6 o'clock??

Where could we see a giant redwood tree??

Where to eat without paying over the top??

Thank you

Answer

Driving “right around the Bay” from San Francisco at roughly 9 o’clock to San Jose at 6 o’clock depends on the route and traffic. The most common scenic route is taking US-101 or I-280 along the Peninsula and through the South Bay. In light traffic, this drive can take about 1.5 to 2 hours. However, factoring in regular weekday traffic, especially during commute hours, you should plan for 2–3 hours to be safe. The scenic coastal route via Highway 1 down the Peninsula is longer and adds more time, closer to 2.5–3 hours without stops.

For seeing a giant redwood tree near San Francisco, you have several convenient options:

Muir Woods National Monument – located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge; very accessible and offers boardwalk trails among towering redwoods.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve – about 1.5–2 hours north of SF in Guerneville; less crowded than Muir Woods with plenty of trails.
Marin County parks – several smaller parks, like Samuel P. Taylor State Park, also feature tall redwoods and easy hikes.

For dining in San Francisco without paying over the top, there are many casual, quality options:

Ferry Building Marketplace – a variety of food vendors where you can get sandwiches, seafood, and local treats at reasonable prices.
North Beach – cafes and pizzerias like Tony’s Pizza or Liguria Bakery for casual meals.
Mission District – taquerias and casual eateries offering great Mexican food at moderate prices.
Fisherman’s Wharf – while some spots are pricey, places like Boudin Bakery or small seafood stands can be more affordable.

Additional tips:

Try to start early when driving around the Bay or to Muir Woods to avoid traffic and parking difficulties.
For Alcatraz, book tickets in advance as tours often sell out, especially during peak tourist seasons.
The open-top bus tours are flexible; you can hop on and off to see attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Chinatown, and the Embarcadero.

Overall, with careful timing, you can enjoy the Bay drive, a redwood hike, Alcatraz, and San Francisco attractions while keeping meals reasonably priced and the schedule manageable.

Just a few pointers please

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