Road Trip USA 2022
From San Francisco to Santa Cruz: Golden Gate Views, Cable Cars, Redwood Giants, and Coastal Nostalgia
Today it's time to say goodbye to San Francisco – well, almost! Before leaving the Bay Area behind for good, we take advantage of the morning to check out a few more city highlights before our road trip continues south.
Golden Gate Bridge (Watch Out for the Toll Trap!)
Our day starts at 9:00 AM at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center on the southeast side of the bridge. From here, you get a fantastic view of the city's iconic landmark. If you have some extra time, definitely walk out onto the bridge for a bit – standing high above the bay in the coastal breeze is an unforgettable feeling!
Crucial tip for independent travelers: Pay close attention during your approach! If you miss the turnoff to the Welcome Center, you'll end up directly on the bridge. That means you'll be forced to drive all the way across the Golden Gate Bridge and pay the electronic toll on your way back into the city.
Pure Engineering at the Cable Car Museum & City Hall Photo Stop
After a quick photo stop at the impressive San Francisco City Hall, we head over at 10:30 AM to a spot I highly recommend to every visitor: the Cable Car Museum. We spend about 30 minutes here, and admission is completely free.
What you get to see here is fascinating: You look directly into the massive engine room where giant mechanical sheaves pull the steel cables running constantly beneath the city streets. It's only here that you truly understand the ingenious mechanics behind these historic cable cars!
Redwood Giants at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
After leaving San Francisco behind, we arrive around 3:00 PM at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. We were so captivated by these giant redwood trees earlier on our trip that we wanted to experience them up close once more. We plan about 1.5 hours for a walk beneath the ancient, towering coastal redwoods – a magnificent natural contrast to the bustling city!
Tip for families and train enthusiasts: If you have a bit more time, right next door you can hop aboard the historic Redwood Forest Steam Train for a scenic ride through the redwood forest.
Beach Vibes & Corn Dogs in Santa Cruz
After just a short half-hour drive from the state park, we reach Santa Cruz around 5:00 PM. The weather here shows its typical coastal side: slightly misty and overcast. Still, we don't miss the chance to visit the famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The historic amusement park right on the beach is a classic slice of Americana, blending the ocean, boardwalk rides, and comfort food. It was a first for my parents here: trying an authentic US classic – Corn Dogs! Definitely something you have to try at least once.
Smart Accommodation Hack in Salinas
Shortly after 7:00 PM, we arrive at our hotel. For our overnight stay, we decided against the often outrageously expensive accommodations right in Santa Cruz or Monterey. Our tip: We drove about 30 minutes inland to Salinas and checked into the Comfort Inn & Suites – much more affordable and very comfortable. And as a great bonus: Right next door was an In-N-Out Burger, which made for the perfect dinner after an event-filled day on the road!
