wopfe

Hi there,

I am visiting California this, and next week, my Girlfriend sister is getting married to a hippie in San Francisco

While i am there i am also visiting Santa Monica, so since this is the third time i am there, and i saw the biggest tourist traps of both cities, i was wondering if there are rennlister who can give me some tips for automotive/Porsche/928 events/shops/museums in those neighborhoods!

Thanks in advance!

UncleMaz

When you are in Santa Monica, please feel free to call me at threeonezero seven9five fourfive85. We could have lunch or coffee. I would be happy to show you around as well.

As far as car stuff, the Peterson Auto Museum is not too far. However, the nice thing about being on the Westside of LA, is that you see lots of cool cars just sitting on a corner having coffee .

bronto

It's a bit of a drive from Santa Monica, but the best automotive museum I've been to in a long time is the Mullin Museum in Oxnard

http://www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com/

mirousse

Are you planning to drive the 928 in SF?

Erik N

HWY 1 from Carmel to Santa Barbara.

Speedtoys

...its not THAT bad.


Its rather calm, compared to anywhere in EMEA, APAC...

Im in the city constantly for work.

bronto

True that. I would hope that if this is his 3rd trip he's done that already. But if not, he should skip Santa Monica (since he can't skip the Bay Area) and do that. Actually, I like it starting all the way up in Daly City and going through Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz before hitting Carmel. Stop at Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Pismo and then Santa Barbara. He can hit the Mullin Museum in Oxnard on the way to LAX. Skip LA altogether. The Central Coast is the best of California (IMHO).

bronto

Alternatively, do Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and Sierra National Park if he's done HWY 1 already.

Speedtoys

Im at Mid Ohio racetrack the 3-10th, sorry.

wopfe

Thanks Guys, I did do the "Highway 1" twice via Carmel and Big Sur...California has amazing views and nature, especially for a guy from the Netherlands...I Didn't do it in my 928 but a rental (of course being eurotrash, that's not possible

I think I will do Peterson Museum, since it is really close to the place I will be staying!

Micheal, thanks for the invitation for lunch, it will all depend on how all will develop coming days, I will be there from Sunday until Wednesday...So I will let you know OK? Again thanks for the good tips!

UncleMaz

Feel free to call if you have time or if you just have questions about the area. Otherwise, enjoy your stay.

kevinlieb

I am near SF but my 928 is down for another week...

Bill Ball

Nothing terribly car-related in SF area, except perhaps the Blackhawk Museum, but that's inland about 30 miles in Danville.

Around SF, there is a lot of good driving. Highway 1 North, the drive to Stinson Beach, Muir Woods. Look them up. Of course, you have the tourist traps in the City, but they are among the world's best. The 49 mile drive, the Embarcadero, the Presidio, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge (especially the view from outside the bridge on the road just North of the bridge - look on the map for Conzelman Road). You have to go down Lombard Street---fast--- preferably in the middle of the night (clear street) after a few drinks. Twin Peaks. Sam Wo's in Chinatown at 2am. Lots more.

Nicole

Unfortunately, we don't have any 928 related activities going this week - we've all been crazy busy with work and life here lately.

Have you really done all of the touristy stuff in SF? Here is my personal check list for when visitors come from overseas:

- If you have a rental car, there is a scenic drive through the city. If you don't have a rental car, there are plenty of options for city tours.

- Twin peaks - awesome view of the city. I start all city tours for my visitors there.

- Foto opportunity inside Alamo Square park, with Steiner Street's "painted ladies" in the foreground, and financial district in the background. Best time: Late morning.

- Haight/Ashbury - unusual shops and hippie atmosphere

- Golden Gate Park, including Conservatory of Flowers and Academy of Sciences (brand new, super modern science museum with tropical section)

- Cliff house - nice view and historic ruins of Sutro Baths

- Golden Gate Bridge Visitor Center or Parking lot on the North side of the bridge

- Photo opportunity at Marine Headlands - after crossing GG bridge, take the first Sausalito exit. Make left as if you want to get back on the bridge. Just before the freeway entrance, make a sharp right turn up the headlands. Keep going until you are all the way up (when the road becomes a one-way, turn around and park). The city will appear between the two towers of the bridge. Best time: afternoon, after 3PM.

- Short stop for pictures at the Palace of Fine Arts

- Lombard Street

- Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf - always a tourist attraction; interesting sea foods

The above is usually enough for the first day. Then there is more...

- Financial District and Chinatown

- Modern Art Museum on 3rd Street

- Market Street / Union Square shopping area, Cable Car ride

- Mission Dolores

- Castro Street, if you can handle it

- Lots of smaller neighborhood centers with neat restaurants all over the city

- Ferry trip to Tiburon and/or Angel Island (hiking)

- Rental car trip to Muir woods (big redwood trees)

- Day trip to the Napa Valley (wine tasting)

- ...

Hope this helps!

Nicole

PS: If you decide to drive Hiway 1 from SF to Santa Monica, make sure you stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, shortly after The Big Sur. Take the walkway underneath the hiway, and watch for this: