We're planning a week-long trip to CA in early May. Primarily wanting to visit San Fran & Napa. Having never been to either city before, we are welcoming recommendations for lodging, dining, activities, must-see wineries, etc. Particularly interested in anything off the beaten path. We'd like to fly in to San Fran, stay 2 days, then drive up to Napa for 4 days. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.
2007-02-08 12:15:14 · 7 answers · asked by treefor3 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ San Francisco
It's fun to ride the ferry over to Sausilito. If the weather's nice, ride a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Beach Blanket Babylon is a fun show....everyone must be 21 except at the Sunday afternoon show.
There are lots of wineries in Napa. Most now charge between $5-$20 for wine tasting. It is common for a couple to share a tasting if you like. For specific info on wineries and direct links to their websites, check out http://www.cheers2wine.com. I would recommend venturing into Sonoma County as well. There are some wonderful wineries there....and my favorite bed and breakfast inn is in Healdsburg...it's called Honor Mansion and it is fabulous!
2007-02-08 14:48:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh my, I can really help you out with Napa Valley! I don't know what your budget is, but you can find lodging cheap or expensive. The Embassy Suites is nice, has tons of amenities and is a great starting point for either trips Upvalley or going downtown. There's a lot of great shopping around it too. The outlet mall is right across the highway, or head downtown for more shopping and some world class dining. (Downtown is really overlooked by visitors) At the Visitors Center downtown you can get a tasting room card for $20 and lets you get into like 7 tasting rooms downtown. They claim a tasting will cost you a dime, but they always waive it. The best part is that you can taste a variety of wines instead of just one winery's.
For off the beaten path for restaurant, there's Tres Hermanos, Piccolinos, tons others too numerous to mention right now. For wineries there's always Mondavi, Beaulieu, Krug, Grgich, Beringer, V. Sattui, and Mumms on Silverado Trail.
Email me if you have more questions, I can help you tons in Napa!
2007-02-09 06:45:03 · answer #2 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should really consider sonoma county over napa it is so much more quant and exciting. You will find lots of wineries of the beaten path. My friends and I just stayed at http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/sfols?ppc=adwords_emergent_the-lodge-at-sonoma_SFOLS
It was Great. One mile from the square where there are amazing restaurants and wine shops. Some of my favorite wineries are
ravenswood
valley of the moon
chateau st jean
kenwood
Imagery
Cline
Viansa
2007-02-09 06:31:26 · answer #3 · answered by over the moon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree about Beach Blanket Babylon--very fun show! I was there last year--stayed in San Fran the whole time, had a limo take us on the wine tour (could drink more that way!) dont miss Cakebread, Mondavi and we also loved Viansa and Chandon is fabulous too! Enjoy your trip.....
2007-02-09 01:21:49 · answer #4 · answered by tantaurus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you are hard core wine enthusiasts, I would suggest only 2 days in wine country, maybe 3. Its beautiful and relaxing but there is ALOT to see in San Francisco and the area immediately surrounding San Francisco. Here is what I suggest...
- Wine Tasting – easy day trip, or overnight trip. Buy a wine map which will list the 100's of wineries, their location marked on the map and their tasting room hours/ or if they are private reservations only. Its a great $7 investment! Villagio is a great place to stay in Yountville; MacArthur Park is great in Sonoma Square and Hotel Healdsburg in Healdsburg. Many many others out there in all price ranges.
- Hiking/seeing redwood trees – ½ day or full day trip
- Drive over Golden Gate bridge to see views, etc – hour or two – but combinable with Napa and/or Hiking because you have to cross the GG Bridge to get to both.
Sausalito is a cute art community at the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County. Great place for brunch on the way to Napa and/or on the way to hike the redwoods in the Marin Headlands (Mill Valley exit).
- 1 hour boat tour of the SF bay – 2 hours (total time to get there, etc). Leaves from Fisherman's Wharf.
- Fisherman’s Wharf – not interesting at all. Touristy. But, everyone loves to do it. Great to grab some seafood at seafood stalls.
- Haight Ashbury – where the hippies came from. Shops, bars, restaurants, grungy but something worth swinging by, maybe for brunch one day. Historical launching pad for the careers of Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and many others. Worth at least driving by on your way to Golden Gate Park.
- Golden Gate Park – drive through and see, very pretty. Maybe a walk in the park out to the ocean (must see Pacific Ocean while you are here).
- Museums – DeYoung Museum; MoMa; Asian Art Museum – those are the big three that people go to.
- City Nightlife – AMAZING restaurants (of all price ranges) and fun/loungey bars, great DJs, lots of boutique art events such as gallery stuff, performance art, etc.
- Ferry Building / Farmer's Market - fantastic farmers market on Saturday mornings from 7am-3pm and Tuesday afternoons. Lots of great fruits, veggies, meats, flowers, goods, etc from Napa and Sonoma. Inside is permanent vendor stores including a wonderful wine merchant and wine tasting, and some fabulous shops, mostly unique foods.
2007-02-10 12:33:46 · answer #5 · answered by jennifergrosser 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to China town, ride the streetcars, go to the exploratorium, go to alcatraz, do pier 39. Have fun in Napa, I don't do wine so I have no clue.
2007-02-08 12:37:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay at the http://www.mandarinoriental.com/ when your in San Francisco.
2007-02-11 19:14:01 · answer #7 · answered by Colonyhkman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋