San Francisco - 6 nights in SF then 3 nights on coast--but where?

We like kicked back and affordable on coast...less touristy...any ideas about where I should look into that's not more than a few hrs. from San Fran? Thanks in advance!

but it'd be a longer drive....

close in, a lot of areas are touristy, but you might consider the Guerneville/Rio Nido area - not on the coast but on the river.

I kind of like the coastal touristy areas so perhaps some others will chime in with more outdoor options.

We like kicked back and affordable on coast...less touristy...any ideas about where I should look into that's not more than a few hrs. from San Fran? Thanks in advance!

First day: http://coastal-post.com/smileys/ Can't get any less touristy than Bolinas. I've stayed there -- simple accommodations but adequate. Some travel books will tell you that they're hostile to tourists in Bolinas. That wasn't my experience at all. They just don't want to attract tourists. They're fine with the few who show up.

Second day: some hotel or B&B in Olema, Inverness or Point Reyes Station.

Third day: same thing in Bodega Bay.

Big Sur. Once you get past the touristy aspects of Carmel, it's nothing but scenery and solitude. Just make sure the road (Highway 1) is open - there is a slide there that has temporarily closed it to all traffic between Carmel and Big Sur.

Mendocino is also nice. It might be colder than you want, though, and I'd probably only drive over during the daylight. The views, solitude, and calamari is worth the effort.

First day: http://coastal-post.com/smileys/ Can't get any less touristy than Bolinas. I've stayed there -- simple accommodations but adequate. Some travel books will tell you that they're hostile to tourists in Bolinas. That wasn't my experience at all. They just don't want to attract tourists. They're fine with the few who show up.

Second day: some hotel or B&B in Olema, Inverness or Point Reyes Station.

Third day: same thing in Bodega Bay.

Funny you should mention Bolinas. I grew up there. Now, if I want to go back to visit friends or old haunts, I can count on the same hostile reception tourists get, including "keyed" paint on my car, urination on my car, yells and taunts on the street...

There's a reason locals tear down the highway direction sign. And it's not to keep residents out.

I hate to be "down on" Bolinas, but they'll never get another dime of my discretionary income.

Thanks kids...we have narrowed down our plans to going south along the coast from SF as far as we can get to Big Sur...that said...any quieter places along the coast we could consider staying at? Guess we won't be able to test the Bolinas theory :eek:

Thanks kids...we have narrowed down our plans to going south along the coast from SF as far as we can get to Big Sur...that said...any quieter places along the coast we could consider staying at? Guess we won't be able to test the Bolinas theory :eek:

Just remember that Big Sur is 4-5 hrs away. It is far less touristy if you head north.