leah_guest_9

My fiance and I will be spending 7 days in northern California in mid-May. We are flying into San Francisco on Saturday and will be spending the day/night there, visiting a friend. Beyond that, we are wide open and would love advice on itineraries. We fly out on the following Saturday, from San Francisco. We are 30 years old and will have a rental car. The main experiences we are looking for are:

- hiking, state parks
- seeing the coast (either driving or hiking)
- wineries (I have heard Sonoma is best)
- great restaurants
- POSSIBLY Lake Tahoe for a couple of days there, but perhaps this is too much?

Thank you!!!!

Shanti

If you want to go to Sonoma, you could easily include hiking along the coast north of San Francisco. Lots of state parks in that area - Samuel Taylor, Mt. Tam and Armstrong Redwoods jump to mind. And Point Reyes National Seashore is nice.

leah_guest_9

Thanks, Shanti! Any suggestions on where to stay along that trip?

MichelleY

I would split the time. First part perhaps stay in Healdsburg and day trip for winetasting, Armstrong Redwoods, Point Reyes. Then finish the trip in SF.

kleroux

I would certainly hike in Armstrong Woods state park. Its beautiful with old growth Redwood trees. As for where to stay, check out vacation rentals by owner. www.vrbo.com and look for Healdsburg. Its more like having your own apt. and the chance to make your own breakfasts if you want, and sometimes BBQ and dinner too. Healdsburg is a nice centrally located base of operations with great restaurants and activities. Naturally wine tasting everywhere if that is of interest.

leah_guest_9

Good idea on checking out VRBO! Lots of really cool lodging.

happytrailstoyou

Point Reyes may have been created with you in mind: http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Also, the drive on Highway 1 between San Francisco and Santa Cruz (and which goes through Half-moon Bay) is beautiful and often overlooked.

HTtY

happytrailstoyou

POSSIBLY Lake Tahoe

I believe you will have a better experience if you stay close to the coast (going as far south as Big Sur or Cambria) rather than going inland. No doubt your friend who lives in San Franciso will have suggestions too.

HTtY

Shanti

Can't help with lodging. I used to live in that area so these were all day trips for me.

leah_guest_9

Thanks everyone! Some updates:

- We found a great place in Healdsburg on VRBO - a pretty rustic spot right in Armstrong Woods. We'll stay there for a few days and get in all of our hiking/coastal/Sonoma winery experiences.
- We have scrapped the idea of going to Lake Tahoe

Remaining question:
Can you recommend another, distinct part of wine country/Northern California that we can drive to for "Part 2" of our vacation? Something with a different vibe from Healdsburg/Sonoma? Napa? Santa Cruz? Mendocino?

sunbum1944

Pt Reyes would be a great place. Beautiful beaches, hiking, kayaking- several oyster farms there - Marshall's Store is a great place to sit outside and have oysters and a beer and look out over the bay

sf7307

The barbecue sauce on the oysters at the Marshall Store is worth going out of your way for!

kleroux

Hi.. just so you realize that a VRBO in or near Armstrong woods is in Guerneville not Healdsburg. Its about a 30-40 minute drive from Hbg. to Guerneville. Not sure there are many good restaurants around G.ville. But if you drive into Hbg. you will find a lot of great places to eat. Just plan your day accordingly. Also drive out to Jenner where the Russian River meets the Pacific you can eat at Land's End resto and have great views of the ocean.