California - Cool drive between San Francisco and Davis

I'm going to California for work in early November, and during the middle of the week, will switch locations from downtown San Francisco to Davis. Is there a cool drive between the two that won't take the whole day, or would I be better served just taking the train?

Over the golden gate bridge then over the San Rafael bridge towards Napa and Vallejo on the 12
Thru Suisun city on the 12 past Travis. AFB then take the back roads to Davis

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?vpsrc=6&ctz=240&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=202687929921631837437.0004af96b92c167324670 looks like it could be fun, more mountains (we don't have those in Florida) and fewer grid roads.

Here's a "southerly" alternative: I-80 to State Route 4 at Hercules (in the East Bay), east through Contra Costa county as the freeway becomes the California Delta Highway (the Delta is the confluence of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers); through the towns of Oakley and Brentwood; eventually pick up I-5 north and proceed through Lodi as you make it back to Sacramento and Davis.

Looking at http://g.co/maps/uvb6f now; over the Golden Gate bridge, south of Sonoma, up through Napa Valley, through some hills, and out to Davis.

Here's a "southerly" alternative: I-80 to State Route 4 at Hercules (in the East Bay), east through Contra Costa county as the freeway becomes the California Delta Highway (the Delta is the confluence of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers); through the towns of Oakley and Brentwood; eventually pick up I-5 north and proceed through Lodi as you make it back to Sacramento and Davis.

As a variation on this route, pick up route 160 north in the vicinity of Oakley and travel north parallel to I-5. going through the towns of Walnut Grove and Locke, before returning to I-5.

http://www.walnutgrove.com/

http://www.locketown.com/

As a variation on this route, pick up route 160 north in the vicinity of Oakley and travel north parallel to I-5. going through the towns of Walnut Grove and Locke, before returning to I-5.

http://www.walnutgrove.com/

http://www.locketown.com/

or take 160 to 12 and go over the rio vista draw bridge. Then turn right at 113 and head up to Dixon and Davis.

and if the weather is lousy, just head to Davis and go to Sudwerks or the wine bar downtown

Looking at http://g.co/maps/uvb6f now; over the Golden Gate bridge, south of Sonoma, up through Napa Valley, through some hills, and out to Davis.

"Through some hills" is a bit of an understatement. Route 128 was pretty intense, and I'm glad I rented an Infiniti G37 (basically a 370Z sedan) for it instead of something less capable.

Thanks for your advice on what turned out to be a great drive!