abloom

My husband and I are planning a trip to San Francisco and Sonoma/Napa in mid July. We will be celebrating my 30th birthday, 8 years of marriage, time away from 2 kiddos, and getting away from Texas heat!

We have never been to this area before and are looking for suggestions on where to stay (budget is around $250 a night), things to do/visit, etc.

Our trip will only be about 4 days so with that in mind would you suggest staying in San Fran for the entire time and making a day trip to either Sonoma or Napa (if so which one) or would you suggest dividing the trip and doing 2 nights in each location?

Our interests include seeing new sights, relaxing, eating....just having a good time!

All feedback is welcome. Thank you!

StuDudley

I would plan to spend all 4 nights in San Francisco. If you do careful planning, and venture out of the Wharf/downtown region - you'll find plenty of neat stuff to do for your 4 weeks in The City (wait - you only have 4 nights!!!). Here are some of my ideas of things to do:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

You should not have trouble avoiding the Texas heat - in fact, bring a sweatshirt.

Stu Dudley

razzledazzle

Come back here after you have outlined a plan, or two.
You could definitely do a day trip to the Sonoma or Napa County
regions, if that is what you truly want to do. It will be much warmer in the Wine Country in July as the City gets quite cool and foggy in the summer.

R5

janisj

You could spend all 4 days in SF and barely scratch the surface. Or if you want to rush a bit - you could rent a car for one day and do a day trip to Sonoma County (nicer for a quick trip than Napa IMO)

Just depends on what you want to do. If you had 5 or 6 days then it would be an easier decision. 4 days in SF and a day or two in wine country. But w/ only 4 days I'd probably stick to SF only.

charnees

Just for planning purposes, almost all the lodgings in the wine country have a two-night minimum stay, especially if it's the weekend, so you would have to do 2 nights in each place or 4 in SF with a day trip to wineries.

razzledazzle

charnees-I find that to be much more true for Napa than
Sonoma County lodging-at least at the Hilton/Sheraton/Marriot
properties over here-as well as a few special finds
I know about. Always good to 'inquire within' around here.


R5

sf7307

OT Razzle are you home or still in Hawaii? You are having the most spectacular February weather this weekend - Sonoma was 82 deg. Yesterday and St. Helena was 85 today!!

StuDudley

In my back yard, it was 81 !!!

Stu Dudley

elnap29

4 nights can go by in a flash. Since you mentioned "relaxing" in your plans, I thought maybe you would enjoy a respite in the Napa Valley for a little bit of beautiful downtime. However, if you haven't been to San Francisco before, it might be best to stay there all 4 nights and do a day trip to Napa. That way, your mood and the weather can determine the day you go. Also, you won't have any regrets about leaving the City - and you can plan a more detailed Wine Country trip for next time.

One suggestion would be to arrange a tour with a company like Platypus Tours. I'd recommend taking a leisurely ferry ride from SF to Vallejo. Platypus will pick you up at the ferry stop in Vallejo and then take you on a personalized wine tour of the Napa Valley which includes a picnic lunch. http://www.platypustours.com/ Or rent a car and do it on your own. The drive to Napa Valley from SF is no more than an hour.

kimamom

I would do 2 nights in each area. In Yountville, we have enjoyed stays at The Villagio, Bardessono and Yountville Inn. Healdsburg is also a lovely area to stay in. The Hotel Healdsburg and Inn @ the Plaza are very nice places to stay there. Have fun! ***kim***

kmoo920

A couple of years ago my daughter and I stayed in Sausalito at the Inn Above the Tide, a wonderful hotel! We took the ferry back and forth to San Francisco and it was great sight seeing from there. As a romantic trip this one would be top notch!!!

Josh_MacDonald

There are plenty of bus tours that go up to Napa/Sonoma from the wharf, if you wanted to relax, I would hedge more towards Napa/Sonoma, or if you wanted to see a specific wine producer than you would want to drive and stay there. Word of warning though, going there in July, the heat in that area isn't much better than Texas. San Fran is an amazing place to visit, not much relaxing though.

fb

I agree with the other posters about spending all 4 days in San Francisco. In your price range is a great B&B in a great location: http://jdvhotels49-px.trvlclick.com/...white_swan_inn.
A short trip for someone who has never seen giant redwoods before is Muir Woods National Monement, just 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you don't want to drive (you probably don't want a car if you are staying in the city, though the drive across the bridge and into Marin is great), your hotel can arrange a tour.

dianeinsonoma

I live in Petaluma, in Sonoma County, now but lived in SF for many years before coming here ten years ago. A agree with many of the posts here. I would note that Sonoma and Napa valleys are hard to do together in one day unless you plan on lots of driving. For a romantic four days, I might spend one night is SF, then two in St. Helena (Napa Valley) or Healdsburg (Sonoma valley - pricy but really wonderful, and full of great restaurants and a lovely square), and then come back to SF for your final night. If you are not a serious wine person, just pick a few different wineries that would be fun to see. The big ones are a bit overwhelming, but some are really gorgeous and fun. I like the Bezinger tour (I think this is the one) because they take you out into the vineyards on carts - even if it's hot it's quite fun. I'll post later with specific suggestions. If you are more of a city couple, of course, just stay in SF and do the day trip. SF is a wonder, with much to see and enjoy. More later. Let me know what you are looking for regarding wineries. I don't work in the wine or travel industry. Not to worry about that.

sf7307

Are you going to the wine country for wine tasting, or for small towns/scenery? If the former, Diane's suggestion to stay overnight is great. But if you just want to see the area, you can easily do a day trip. We never go wine tasting anymore (haven't been to a winery in at leat 25 years), but just this past weekend, we drove up to the town of Sonoma on Saturday, poked around the square, had lunch, then drove over to Oakville to our friend's house. Next day, we poked around St. Helena --- we easily could have done both the same day. We went to Healdsburg for an afternoon last summer, too. On these day trips, we sightsee, shop and eat, and look at the scenery in the surrounding area (for example, between Healdsburg and Occidental, or Sonoma and Oakville).

StuDudley

Ditto sf7307.

We have not visited a winery in quite some time. Today, we are picking up my FIL at 1:00, heading to Sonoma Valley of the Moon for a drive through some pretty countryside & vineyards, visit 3 wineries (not for wine tasting - interesting properties), then back to Sausalito for dinner at 5:30, & then home.

On Saturday, we're picking up FIL in the mid-morning and driving through western Marin co (pretty cattle country), then along the Russian River to Healdsburg & staying overnight with friends. Next morning sticky buns & coffee at the Downtown Bakery in Healdsburg, visiting some other friends in Healdsburg, then through Alexander valley to Calistoga, and then the Silverado Trail through Napa Valley, & back home for Sunday dinner.

Stu Dudley

jfawp

I would definitely stay the full 4 days in SF. The only day trip I would take would be to Muri Woods. We hired a limo for that trip and it was fun, we had all the time we wanted and weren't rushed to be somewhere at a certain time. In SF there are the free city walks that we have done several times that is full of history and walking. We stay at The Rex Hotel when we come, close to trolly. Small but charming. It should be in price range.

dianeinsonoma

You are getting great advice here! I also vote for Muir Woods as really worth seeing, and remember you can walk across the Golden Gate Bridge - that is a great thing to do, I think.

For old-fashioned great seafood in SF, don't miss the Tadich Grill. Perhaps the best crab louie in the world.

traveldawg

I grew up in Texas, now live in SF. Our visitors from Texas never believe us when we tell them to bring something warm to wear to SF in July. The sweatshirt advice above was very good....or you can just buy one when you get here. We can always tell the tourists in SF in the summer....they are the ones with shorts and purple knees.

I would just stay at one place in the City. You have plenty to do here in 4 days. If you want to go to Napa for one day there are tours. Plus, it depends on the weather. If it gets too cool in SF, head to Napa one day. If not, stay in the City.