SF/Napa Valley/Tahoe/Yosemite/Morro Bay/SF Road Trip

Question

I just started planning a sight seeing road trip for this mid October. We are flying into San Francisco (probably October 14th) and will be renting a car. I thought our first stop would be for a couple of nights in Napa Valley then on to a night at South Lake Tahoe. After Tahoe, drive to Yosemite for a three night stay. After Yosemite we will be traveling to a scenic Morro Bay hotel or someplace on the coast for a night before heading north on Route 1 to SF (pending the opening of Route 1) to complete the loop. We are a retired couple and really not into a lot of hiking. We are mostly looking to see the highlights along the way that we can drive to with some short leisurely walks. Also looking for suggestions on area hotels with some dining options. Any other points of interest, events, or suggestions that we could incorporate into our road trip along the way would also be appreciated. We can add a night or two to our trip if needed. Thanks in advance.

Answer

Your planned road trip from San Francisco through Napa Valley, Tahoe, Yosemite, Morro Bay, and back along the coast sounds wonderful for a relaxed sightseeing experience. Since you prefer minimal hiking and more scenic drives and short walks, I’ve outlined a suggested approach along with hotel and dining recommendations, as well as points of interest along the way.

Day 1-2: Napa Valley

Drive from San Francisco to Napa Valley (about 1.5 hours). Since you’re focusing on leisure and wine tasting, consider staying in Napa or Yountville, which both offer charming hotels with on-site dining.

Hotels: Villagio Inn & Spa (Napa), Bardessono Hotel & Spa (Yountville), or Andaz Napa.
Dining: Bouchon Bistro, Redd, or Ad Hoc for upscale casual meals with options for wine pairings.
Activities: Drive through Silverado Trail for scenic vineyard views, visit one or two wineries with tasting rooms like Domaine Carneros or Castello di Amorosa. Take a short walk through Yountville town and its boutique shops.

Day 3: South Lake Tahoe

Drive from Napa to South Lake Tahoe (~5-6 hours). This will be the longest leg, so consider leaving early and stopping for lunch along the way, perhaps in Sacramento or Placerville.

Hotels: The Landing Resort & Spa or Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel.
Dining: Edgewood Restaurant (lake views), Base Camp Pizza, or The Boathouse for casual lakefront dining.
Activities: Scenic drive around Lake Tahoe, short walks along beaches like Pope Beach or Kiva Beach. Take the gondola at Heavenly for panoramic views without hiking.

Day 4-6: Yosemite National Park

Drive from South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite (~5-6 hours). Since you’re not hiking much, consider staying in or near Yosemite Valley, which gives access to major sights without strenuous activity.

Hotels: Tenaya Lodge (just outside South Entrance), Yosemite Valley Lodge, or The Ahwahnee for luxury with dining.
Activities: Drive to Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls. Short, flat walks like Cook’s Meadow Loop or Lower Yosemite Fall Trail give great views with minimal effort. Consider a scenic shuttle bus tour around the valley.

Day 7: Morro Bay

Drive from Yosemite to Morro Bay (~5-6 hours). Stop along the scenic Central Valley and coastal foothills. Morro Bay is a peaceful coastal town with great seafood and scenic harbor views.

Hotels: Inn at Morro Bay, Morro Bay Inn, or The Cliffs Hotel & Spa.
Dining: Dorn’s Original Breakers Cafe for breakfast/lunch, The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar, or Windows on the Water for a romantic sunset dinner.
Activities: Stroll the Embarcadero, see Morro Rock, and take a short bay walk. Kayak or rent a small boat if desired.

Day 8: Drive north along Route 1 back to San Francisco

The Pacific Coast Highway offers incredible coastal scenery. Depending on road conditions, you may want to stop overnight at Carmel or Monterey if Route 1 is open; otherwise, drive directly back to SF (~5-6 hours from Morro Bay).

Stops: Hearst Castle in San Simeon (short guided tour), Big Sur viewpoints (Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls), Carmel-by-the-Sea for a stroll and coffee.
Hotels near SF: If staying overnight, consider Hotel Zephyr (Fisherman’s Wharf), or boutique options in Nob Hill.

Additional Tips:

Check weather and road closures along Route 1; mid-October usually has good conditions but occasional closures from landslides.
Book hotels early, especially in Yosemite and Napa, as availability can be limited in October.
Consider adding an extra night in Tahoe or Big Sur for a more relaxed pace and scenic stops.
For leisurely sightseeing, plan your drives to include multiple short scenic stops rather than long non-stop drives.

This itinerary balances scenic drives, iconic sights, and comfortable accommodations with minimal hiking, letting you enjoy California’s highlights at a relaxed pace.

SF/Napa Valley/Tahoe/Yosemite/Morro Bay/SF Road Trip

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