Help me get through San Francisco!

[GoBo97]

Hi, this is my first post here, looking for route suggestions.
We are full-timers pulling a 26-ft trailer with an F250. My husband drives and I do the navigating. We've been RVing for 25 years in all kinds of rigs, so we're not newbies, but we normally avoid cities. However we had to be in Santa Cruz this week and now have to get through San Francisco to Northern CA.
I've been told our best bet is to go up Route 1 from Santa Cruz, straight to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Honestly I hate high bridges and city streets, and I'm dreading this.
But I've also read that trying to go around the city on the east side is not a great choice.
We will be leaving early Sunday morning (tomorrow) to avoid traffic.
Please let me know what you think of this route. Thank you!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Hi, this is my first post here, looking for route suggestions.
We are full-timers pulling a 26-ft trailer with an F250. My husband drives and I do the navigating. We've been RVing for 25 years in all kinds of rigs, so we're not newbies, but we normally avoid cities. However we had to be in Santa Cruz this week and now have to get through San Francisco to Northern CA.
I've been told our best bet is to go up Route 1 from Santa Cruz, straight to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Honestly I hate high bridges and city streets, and I'm dreading this.
But I've also read that trying to go around the city on the east side is not a great choice.
We will be leaving early Sunday morning (tomorrow) to avoid traffic.
Please let me know what you think of this route. Thank you!

IMO yes the best route is hwy 1 north to I 280 north to 101north follow the signs through city on Van Ness ave which leads to Golden Gate Bridge.Not sure about hauling a 26'trailer on that city street as you will be driving through the city with traffic lights.
Where in Nor Cal are you going?
The other route would be the same but after you get to 101 take the Bay Bridge I 80 east following I 80 to I 5 north or if you are going up the coast from I 80 take the Richmond San Rafale bridge which will get you back to 101 north.Hope this helps.There's no real great way especially hauling a 26' trailer.
PM me if you need further info. I live just south of Santa Cruz and have traveled that route when
we head north but I have a pickup with a pop up camper.That makes a difference.
Frank

 

[h2opup]

GoBo97,
I grew up south of SF and although I haven't driven that route in some time, I agree with Casa Escarlata Robles Too to stick to Hwy 1. From Santa Cruz, stay on Hwy 1 to get past SF. It is a little intimidating, but the signage is good and the best thing is that you can't go too far wrong because when heading North, the Pacific Ocean is always on your left! If you signal plenty ahead of time for lane changes etc., folks will normally understand that you are pulling a rig and let you in. (A passenger hanging out the window and gesticulating with a pleading expression doesn't hurt - seriously). In my opinion, navigating E isn't worth the effort. Stick to Hwy 1. This is also recognized as the more touristy route, so other travelers are likely to be a little more patient.
Good luck! You'll do fine.
Paula

 

[GoBo97]

Thanks for the help! Frank, is there a reason to take 280 to 101 through the city, as opposed to 19th St. which is what GPS seems to want me to do?

 

[GoBo97]

IMO yes the best route is hwy 1 north to I 280 north to 101north follow the signs through city on Van Ness ave which leads to Golden Gate Bridge.Not sure about hauling a 26'trailer on that city street as you will be driving through the city with traffic lights.
Where in Nor Cal are you going?
The other route would be the same but after you get to 101 take the Bay Bridge I 80 east following I 80 to I 5 north or if you are going up the coast from I 80 take the Richmond San Rafale bridge which will get you back to 101 north.Hope this helps.There's no real great way especially hauling a 26' trailer.
PM me if you need further info. I live just south of Santa Cruz and have traveled that route when
we head north but I have a pickup with a pop up camper.That makes a difference.
Frank

Thank you! Is there a reason to take 280 to 101 through the city, as opposed to 19th St. which is what GPS tells me to do?
After we get through SF I was planning on taking Route 1 up to Ft Bragg but now after reading more, I wonder if that section of Route 1 is not a good idea. We did all this years ago, but with a smaller trailer, and I was braver and less anxious in those days.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thank you! Is there a reason to take 280 to 101 through the city, as opposed to 19th St. which is what GPS tells me to do?
After we get through SF I was planning on taking Route 1 up to Ft Bragg but now after reading more, I wonder if that section of Route 1 is not a good idea. We did all this years ago, but with a smaller trailer, and I was braver and less anxious in those days.

The only reason not to take 19st is you need to go through part of Golden Gate park
and not sure if you can trailer there. Also there some narrow curvy places but you can try.It is the most direct and worth a try.
Following 1 to Fort Bragg is a beautiful route but also a narrow curvy road .There are a lot of nice little towns between SF and FB .Then from Fort Bragg north the road turns inland and very narrow and curvy.Again its worth the time if you have it.
If you want to go to Fort Bragg and not go all the way up the coast from SF take 101 to Cloverdale then west to the coast to pick up 1.
Enjoy the trip.
Frank

 

[GoBo97]

Thanks, this is very helpful!