From the north, Hwy-1 enters San Francisco across the glorious Golden Gate Bridge, where parking areas at both ends let you ditch the car and walk across the elegant two-mile-long span. South from the bridge, Hwy-1 follows 19th Avenue across Golden Gate Park, then runs due south through the outer reaches of San Francisco, finally reaching the coast again at the often-foggy town of Pacifica. The most scenic alternate is the 49-Mile Drive, the best part of which heads west from the bridge through Presidio National Park, along Lincoln Boulevard and Camino del Mar, following the rugged coastline to Land’s End, where you can hike around and explore the remains of Sutro Baths, eat at the wonderful new Cliff House, or experience the wonders of the Camera Obscura.
From Land’s End, this scenic route runs south along the oceanfront Great Highway, which eventually links back up with Hwy-1 near the small but enjoyable San Francisco Zoo (daily; $10; 415/753-7080). Across from the zoo, a semi-contentious landmark to the Bay Area’s proletarian past—a giant, sleepy-eyed dachshund that years ago was the emblem of the Doggie Diner fast-food chain—stands next to the Carousel diner (415/564-6052), at 2750 Sloat Boulevard.
Since driving and parking in San Francisco can be frustrating and expensive (Steve McQueen could never make Bullitt in today’s traffic!), consider parking out here in the ’burbs and taking public transportation into the center of town. The N-Judah MUNI trolley line runs between downtown and the coast just south of Golden Gate Park, where parking is plentiful.
San Francisco is the start of our cross-country road trip along US-50, The Loneliest Road. The route crosses high mountains and red-rock deserts before winding up at Ocean City, Maryland.
