Avella

Just beginning to plan for a trip out to Sonoma/Napa Valley over the 4th of July. My boyfriend's 30th birthday is the 3rd, or I'd probably avoid a holiday weekend. I purchased some books and have begun to read the postings here, however, I know I'll need some advice from all of you who frequent or have visited the area.

Not sure how many days we will want to spend in Napa or Sonoma or both. I'd like your suggestions. We are traveling from Pennsylvania, so it's not an area we will visit again anytime soon, so we aren't sure how many days we will need for the trip. Certainly not planning on just the weekend. Not a clue on where to stay. Not too high end though since I'm sure prices will be high at this time.

Also, must see the Redwoods!!! And would like to spend a couple days in Carmel. Anywhere else is open for suggestion. I imagine we will fly into San Francisco.

Thanks for any help you can give. I know I need to get on it with it being a holiday!

Deblynn

Avella;
How much time will you have? Carmel is wonderful, but is below south of San Francisco, and the most beautiful areas of the Redwoods are north of San Francisco. What do you like to do? Shop, hike, go to the beach? Napa is great too, and romantic. Carmel is worth at least 3-4 days, so you can see the Aquarium, the beach, etc. Napa takes a good 2 days to see some good area and wineries. Mendocino is a beautiful area and just north of there are some great areas to enjoy the Redwoods!

razzledazzle

Avella:
You don't need to keep re-posting the same question. Just hit"post a reply"
and in the "reply box" type "ttt" or
"topping" and that will bring your question back to the top.

Also,use the search box and do your homework first-there are MANY, MANY posts here on Sonoma/Napa
and Carmel.

Folks will be more willing to assist when you have done some of your own legwork.

What do you like to do ?Map out an initial route,
give us a dollar figure for hotels
and the amenities you want them to have.

You need to narrow down to the things you would enjoy-otherwise your question
has a million VERY diferent answers.

Happy Research!
R5

crefloors

As has been suggested, check out other posts on this subject..there are many. What you can do depends on how much time you have to spend. Sonoma is north of the City and Carmel is south of the City so you could rent your car and go either north or south. You can get over to the coast at either end and drive up or down the coast. You will have to double back at some point to get back to SF to get your plane for your return home. You also would want a few days in the City. If you want to come back to your post to check for responses and can't locate it, click on your name and your posts will come up. If you respnd to it, it will come back to the top again for other posters to respond to it. Happy travels.

Avella

Thanks for your suggestions. I have used Fodors many time before, but I just couldn't find my posting anywhere and couldn't figure it out. It wasn't till this morning when I checked using my Dell rather than my MAC that they were all there. I really couldn't find it. Sorry.

I do know the places we'd like to see are scattered. Surely need help to decide on how many days we need for the trip. We do like to shop, hike, go to the beach, and relax.

I will do more research and post a reply.

Thanks again!

traveldawg

To avoid a double back you may want to consider flying into San Jose airport and going to Carmel area. Do that and then head north for the City and Napa area. Then return home out of SFO. (or do that backwards depending on where you go first).

Check www.pacificgrove.org for hotels and bed and breakfasts in that town located on the Monterey Peninsula. The city of Monterey also has a web site.

crefloors

I don't know this as fact so please do check, but my instinct tells me that it would probably be more expensive to fly into San Jose than SFO or you could possible check out Oakland..that's not a bad way to go if the price is right. Avella, just MHO but I don't really see you doing all you want to do in any less time than 10 days. I mean you could do the driving and get to and from the places in less time but you certainly wouldn't be able to savor much of it. Glad you found your posts. So let us hear back from you with more info.