Calling all Cali Pelicans - Need help with vacation

[NOH20]

Here's the deal....

My wife and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this June. I thought it would be nice to visit California for about 4-5 days since we have never been there. What I had in mind was a stay in San Francisco and a wine tour for starters.

Since I'm an avid golfer I must make a trip to Monterey to see Pebble Beach. We would both like to see Alcatraz as well, are they still giving tours??

Here are my questions:

1. Name a great hotel to stay at in San Francisco. Like most, my wife will want 5 star with a view.

2. Restaurants...which ones should we not miss.

3. If you had 4-5 days, what would you recommend we see and do? Could we tour Sonoma (sp?), see Pebble, and screw around in San Fran all in 4-5 days?

Thanks!

[nostatic]

http://www.fairmont.com/

You can do a day trip down to Monterrey, but make sure it is a weekday. Cruise down hwy 1 from San Fran...great coast trip. It'll make for a long day/night though. Same with wine country.

Resturants...there are a ton of them. Been awhile since I lived there, but if they are still around, Khan Toke on Geary in the Richgmond is pretty famous Thai, Ebisu for Sushi in Inner Sunset, and New Eritrea for Ethiopian (also in Inner Sunset).

Just get a map of public transportation and spend a couple days cruising SF. Then get a rental car and do the road trips if you want.

[stevepaa]

Well, SF is a delightful city. I would look for things you cannot see or do in the biggest city near you. Like Beach Blanket Babylon show. Or a Broadway show.
Spend one day in wine country, but only if there is no wine country near you.
I would really recommed three-four days in Yosemite Valley and stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel.

I would go Sat-Sun 9 days at least.

[NOH20]

Thanks for the replies. I don't have 9 days to burn. We have a 23 month old daughter and can only get away for about 5 days. Both of our parents work full time and as it stands now my wifes mother will be taking vacation time to stay at home with our daughter.

We need to make the best out of the time we have. I'm thinking 2 days in San Francisco and 2 days in Sonoma. The link nostatic set up for me has a nice package that would probably do the trick.

We are open to just about anything. Michigan is a beautiful state in the summer. Northern Michigan has some of the finest golf courses in the states however, we live here so it won't seem like a vacation unless we pack up and leave the state. We have been to Florida numerous times, California just seemed like the best choice.

[pwd72s]

Oh yeah...California is for you!

[930addict]

I would definately recommend doing a helicopter tour. Red and White fleet has several packages including one that fly's you up to Sonoma for lunch at a winery (with wine tasting). They also have the Grand Vista Tour where they fly you around SF Bay and under under the golden gate and bay bridges at 150 mph 50 feet off the water - that's an awesome experience. I took my nieces and they loved it.

http://redandwhite.com/

[Steve Carlton]

Skip Alcatraz. You'll have better things to do with the time you have. Some suggestions (not totally up to date):

Ride a cable car. Drive & have lunch across the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito.

When you go to Monterey, stay in Carmel, maybe at the Highlands Inn or Tickle Pink Inn (I'm not up to date on this, but these are excellent). Drive down on Hwy 1 the whole way.
http://highlandsinn.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml
http://www.ticklepinkinn.com/

If you have time, you can drive south of Carmel/Monterey to Nepenthe Restaurant. View to die for!
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/

One good way to enjoy the wine country is on the Wine Train. http://www.winetrain.com/
I'd say spend a night there. A nifty place to stay is in Calistoga at Indian Springs. http://www.indianspringscalistoga.com/
Get a couples mudbath at Golden Haven Hot Springs. http://www.goldenhaven.com/

For dining in the wine country, consider French Laundry Restaurant or Tra Vigne.

In SF, Aqua and Boulevard are very highly regarded.
http://www.aqua-sf.com/aqua/main.htm
http://www.boulevardrestaurant.com/nav/nav.html
Also Postrio, Bix. Great atmosphere at Enrico's, usually live music.

Across the bay, 30 minutes away is Baywolf in Oakland and Chez Panisse in Berkeley is famous.
http://www.baywolf.com/ (tell them I sent you)
http://www.chezpanisse.com/

Tell us more about your itinerary and we can help some more...

[Eric H]

You could spend the whole time in the SF city limits and have a great time. I'd be careful about how much driving you do. If you're not familiar with the local traffic patterns you might waste a lot of time on the freeways. There are better things to do here than drive...

Personally I'm not a big fan of wine country tours, and be aware that it can be really hot in Napa in the summer with bad traffic. I do, however, think the Alcatraz tour is worth doing. I did it a year or two ago and found it to be very well done, plus you get a ferry boat ride on the bay, hikes on the island and it's an incredible vista point. If you don't do Alcatraz at least walk or bike on the Golden Gate. I'd also suggest going out to the Haight-Ashbury district and poking around... at least if that means anything to you... or check out SFMOMA...

I think Monterey is a bit far... consider places like Muir woods and Stinson beach up in Marin County, or go a bit down the coast to Half Moon Bay or even Santa Cruz. You can even go to the beach right in SF... Ocean beach is a long beach and Baker beach is right by the Golden Gate... clothing optional at one end

[K. Roman]

What's your age? That might help in finding things that won't bore the hell out of you....

[NOH20]

Thanks for the replies. I'm 36 and my wife is 33. She's into wine, I like micro brews.

Is San Francisco the best choice? I agree that we don't want to do a lot of driving. Maybe a 4 -5 day stay in San Francisco would be best. Although I would really like to see Monterey.

Steve - thanks for all the links. Could you burn 4- 5 days in Monterey?

We are looking for a relaxing time, a romantic get away. Will San Francisco fit the bill or should we do a B&B in Monterey instead?

[stevepaa]

Ah, a romantic getaway.
Do 3 days in the City, 2 days in Monterey. Stay at Highlands Inn south of Carmel, eat in Carmel and sit on the beach. You'll love it.

[cbeers]

NOH2O,

If you stay in SF, you can reach Napa and Sonoma counties with ease in about an hour or so depending on traffic. I would only recommend the wine train if you want somone else to think for you. You end up on a train in parallel with the highway and are "captive". For me, I would rather get out and see some places and linger when you find a great spot. You can PM me for suggestions, I just spent 3 years up there.

Monterey is a nice day trip and more relaxing than SF (my opinion) and can make for a nice weekend as well, after that and you may be looking for more to do???

One thing to note is that Monterey county has a pretty strong wine industry as well, so you could knock out golfing, wine and a romantic place all at once


Hope you have a great trip!!!!

-Chris

[ubiquity0]

4-5 days in Monterey is probably more than you'll need, unless you plan to do alot of relaxing.

Bear in mind that Napa & Sonoma are a safer bet weather-wise than the coast is. June-August is fog season.

[Steve Carlton]

With 4-5 days to work with, I wouldn't spend more than 2 in the Monterey area. One day for golf, one to kick around Carmel with the wife. A day in the wine country, spend the night in Calistoga and check it out.

If you can find more than 4-5 days, there's plenty to do. Tahoe and Yosemite are awesome...

[tc-sacto]

I think you best bet is 2 days in San Fran and a day trip to the wine county. Great suggestion to see the show "Beach Blanket Babbylon" Spend maybe two days in Monterey. Visit 17mile drive around pebble beach, maybe even play poppy hills in Carmel while your wife gets a massage. You could stay at the Double tree hotel or Embasssy Suites in Montery, although as mentioned "The Highlands is much nicer, but $$$
http://www.poppyhillsgolf.com/

Houston's Rutherford grill is a great palce for lunch in Napa.
http://www.rutherfordgrill.com/
Although a more romantic picnic lunch can be had at V.Sattui winery. They have a great deli. Buy some wine, cheese and meat and have lunch on the beautiful grounds.
http://www.vsattui.com/


For San Franciso
http://www.bestofsanfrancisco.net/restaurants.htm
http://www.cityscaperestaurant.com - really great view and very good food
http://www.hotelnikkosf.com simply beautiful

[GettinHeadStuds]

i'd just hang out in sf the whole time.... maybe make a day trip to montery....

stay at the st francis westin....

go see a giants game...

montery bay aquarium / pebble beach (same day)....

hike around the marin headlands.... see sf from the other side of the bay...

whale watching tour boat...(sf)

if you get bored head up to napa for the day...

drink lots of "on tap" anchor steam and have a good time =)