Question:  My wife and I will visit Santa Barbara, California in October.  After we check out wine country and the beaches, we are thinking of driving up the coast toward San Francisco using Route 1.  Can you recommend things to see or do along the way and the best place to stop. Can you also recommend a good spot in San Francisco and must sees for a 2 night stay.

Answer:  Michael McKay II, vacation sales associate at the Concord, Calif. AAA office says:  Cool fog, hot restaurants, and neighborhoods and cultures to explore can only be found in San Francisco.  Union Square is a landmark park in the heart of the downtown shopping and hotel district.  This area is known for its granite plazas and the park is bordered by signature palm trees.  Union Square is home to the famous Cable Cars.  The Cable Cars head up Powell Street.  My recommendation is to stay at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel.  The Sir Francis Drake, in downtown San Francisco, has been in style since the late 1920’s and offers historic accommodations in the heart of Union Square.  The Beefeater doorman adds to the hotel’s exquisite service.  Also known as “The Drake,” it is home to Harry Denton’s Starlight Room.  This amazing place sits on top of the hotel where you’ll be captivated by the views of the city skyline, can listen to all genres of music and sip a martini or glass of wine.  My suggestion is to make a reservation for both and you will be served by the classiest of bartenders who are dressed in “white tuxedos.”

Fisherman’s Wharf is known as San Francisco’s Waterfront Community and is a world famous tourist attraction.  The Wharf is also home to world-class dining, shopping, hotels and endless entertainment.  This area is a must see location for all tourists.  At the neighborhood's "Fish Alley" you can still see fishermen at work, which is always a fun and unique San Francisco experience.  It’s an enjoyable place to bring the kids.  The Wharf area is also the launching point for Bay cruises and charters to Alcatraz and Sausalito.  PIER 39 is home to the famous sea lions, Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, and the Aquarium at PIER 39.  Specialty shops and restaurants line the Wharf - including PIER 39, Anchorage Square and THE CANNERY.  The world famous Ghirardelli Square has been converted to an open-air center filled with even more fun shops and restaurants.  This area is reachable via Cable Car from Union Square or even by Street Car from the local subway station.  Find more tips and things to do from AAA travel editors in the San Francisco Travel Guide, including a “San Francisco in 3 Days” section. The Wine Country Travel Guide may be useful as well.  

You can use TripTik Travel Planner to plan your driving route.  You can use the icons on the full-color maps for the location of AAA Approved hotels, restaurants, and attractions.  Be sure to click the Show button to display all of the icons and then zoom in to see them.  Hotel reservations can be booked right from the TripTik maps.  TripTik Travel Planner will use a direct route on Route 101 because this is a higher road classification than Route 1.  Just use the click-and-drag tool to have the route hug the coast on Route 1.  Monterey is a little more than halfway but you will find museums, the aquarium, and many recreational activities.  Check out the Monterey Peninsula Travel Guide.  Route 1 is a AAA-designated scenic byway, so no matter where you decide to stop along the way, you’ll surely enjoy the surrounds.