Good
advice all around. You can probably forget the blue blazer, though.
Bring earplugs! For the first few days at least you will have trouble falling asleep with all the
noise of the boat. Earplugs help a lot. After the first week you will be able to sleep standing on your
head.
Bring your good attitude. Be sensitive to the others on board. Everyone responds to these long passages differently, but we all go through some emotional changes along the way. Sometimes you will need a friend, other times you just want a little peace and quiet. It is a great experience, so enjoy it.
As for the
route, when heading for
San Francisco I've never had to sail further north than 42 degrees latitude. We usually do about a day's worth of motoring as we skirt the High, but we try to sail as much as we can. If you are aiming for southern
California, you will probably sail under the High, close to the
wind all the way.