Anniv trip.. Monterey, Napa, San Fran or just pick a place?
Apr 15th, 2010, 07:56 AM
#1
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Anniv trip.. Monterey, Napa, San Fran or just pick a place?
Celebrating our 15 yr anniv in August. I've always wanted to see Napa/ Sonoma as well as Carmel/ Monterey. If we're just spending 4 nights would you recommend we squeeze it all in or just pick one location? We would be interested in sight seeing, wine tasting, but also would love the luxury of relaxation.
Thanks for your input!
Thanks for your input!
Apr 15th, 2010, 08:15 AM
#2
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I think Napa/Sonoma might get a little boring in 4 nights - unless you add in the coast - which would be a long way from the Napa area. If your "relax" time included a day by the pool - then 4 night would be fine, but it could be "too hot" in August if the pool area has more concrete than greenery.
Four nights would be fine in the Carmel area. More different things to do & see in this region than in Napa, IMO. However, there could be some fog in August (that's our fog season).
I would not try to do both in 4 nights if you are looking for a relaxing experience. You'll loose a half day getting from Napa to Carmel - especially during the work week.
Stu Dudley
Four nights would be fine in the Carmel area. More different things to do & see in this region than in Napa, IMO. However, there could be some fog in August (that's our fog season).
I would not try to do both in 4 nights if you are looking for a relaxing experience. You'll loose a half day getting from Napa to Carmel - especially during the work week.
Stu Dudley
Apr 15th, 2010, 09:17 AM
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Personally, I'd go with Napa/Sonoma. It's a beautiful area and will definitely be hot and sunny in August. I think there's lots to do in the area. I love wine tasting, myself, and could certainly spend four days in the area touring wineries, eating and sightseeing.
If you have a generous budget, there are lovely, romantic places to stay in both Sonoma and the Napa Valley. I understand there are fabulous spas in the Napa Valley area as well (Calistoga was once famed for their hot springs.)
If your budget looks more like mine, there are lots of affordable lodgings in the Santa Rosa area.
If you're interested in a day trip to the ocean (where it will be significantly cooler than inland, and very possibly foggy) you can go from Santa Rosa/Windsor through Gurneville. The Korbel Champagne Cellars in Gurneville are beautiful and do a great tour, along with free tasting. Follow that road maybe 50 miles or so out to Jenner and the ocean. You'll be following the Russian River all the way to the coast. It's a pretty drive.
If you have a generous budget, there are lovely, romantic places to stay in both Sonoma and the Napa Valley. I understand there are fabulous spas in the Napa Valley area as well (Calistoga was once famed for their hot springs.)
If your budget looks more like mine, there are lots of affordable lodgings in the Santa Rosa area.
If you're interested in a day trip to the ocean (where it will be significantly cooler than inland, and very possibly foggy) you can go from Santa Rosa/Windsor through Gurneville. The Korbel Champagne Cellars in Gurneville are beautiful and do a great tour, along with free tasting. Follow that road maybe 50 miles or so out to Jenner and the ocean. You'll be following the Russian River all the way to the coast. It's a pretty drive.
Apr 15th, 2010, 09:22 AM
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You have to know yourself. I would be bored with 4 days in any wine country. In fact, we did the Strasbourg-Colmar Wine Route one time over two days, and then returned to Paris two days earlier than originally planned. It's beautiful, quaint, charming, but in the end, it's not Paris. My only point is that only you know if you'd be happy with 4 days looking at grape vines and tasting wine.
Apr 15th, 2010, 10:07 AM
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I'd do Sonoma and the Sonoma/Mendocino coast and skip Napa. In addition to the obvious wine country, there is kayaking or canoe trips on the Russian River, a couple of great spas in the town of Sonoma, and the attractions of the Pacific Coast. If you are not on a limited budget the Farmhouse Inn near Forestville has a great restaurant and wonderful lodging.
Apr 15th, 2010, 10:26 AM
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Carmel and Monterey for sure....lots to see and do or just relax and enjoy the scenery. Guess what??? They have great wineries in that area too! Plenty in Carmel Valley for and afternoon of tasting. Have a wonderful trip and don't forget to visit Point Lobos State Park for stunning scenery viewed from easy walking trails...I love that place!
Point Lobos:
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/56550996
Point Lobos:
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/56550996
Apr 15th, 2010, 11:11 AM
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"Follow that road maybe 50 miles or so out to Jenner and the ocean.
No.
Guerneville to Jenner is about 15 miles.
From Hwy 101/River Road exit to Jenner is about 30 miles.
Yes, a very pretty drive.
R5
No.
Guerneville to Jenner is about 15 miles.
From Hwy 101/River Road exit to Jenner is about 30 miles.
Yes, a very pretty drive.
R5
Apr 15th, 2010, 01:56 PM
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I'd do the Napa/Sonoma as well. You can take one day and hire a limo to do a wine tour, take another day at a spa, a third day to the redwoods perhaps and then drive to SF, spend a night there and have a wonderful dinner, take a cable car, etc. We did a long weekend in that reverse order - one night in SF, one day at a spa in Calistoga, drove down the highway stopping at a few wineries to Sonoma, hired a limo for a day and then used our last day to revisit places we had been before but didn't do on the tour day.
Apr 15th, 2010, 05:57 PM
#11
I'd probably avoid Napa in August.
If it was me -- but you know better what might interest you -- I'd either do 1) Sonoma or Healdsburg for a couple of days and the Mendocino or Sonoma coast for the other two - or - 2) all four days in Monterey/Carmel.
If it was me -- but you know better what might interest you -- I'd either do 1) Sonoma or Healdsburg for a couple of days and the Mendocino or Sonoma coast for the other two - or - 2) all four days in Monterey/Carmel.
