biogirl5579

I am planning a 7-day trip to Northern California (flying into SFO) for mid May. Here's my current iteniery, but as you can see there are some holes. I need help finding places to stay in the Wine Country or North Coast. We require two full/queen beds which seems to be the hard part seeing that most places only have rooms with 1 king bed.

Day 1/Night 1-Arrive SFO, Check in to Waters Edge Hotel, Tiburon
Night 2 and Night 3-Check in to Bodega Bay Lodge, Bodega Bay
Night 4-? (North Coast)
Night 5? (Win Country)
Night 6-Check in to Orchard Garen Hotel, SF

MichelleY

Just my opinion, but for days 1 thru 3, try to base yourself in 1 or 2 places so you avoid all the moving around. Give more details on what you would like to see.

biogirl5579

Nights 2 and 3 are going to be in the same place (Bodega Bay), but from there I'm a little lost.

I know we want to see the Redwoods, Muir Woods, the national seashore, and a couple of winieries. Basically, we would like this trip to be spent seeing outdoors with a little shopping thrown in at night.

My original thought was to drive up to the Anderson Valley for nights 4 and 5, but I couldn't find a place to stay that had two beds/room.

boom_boom

Try Fort Bragg for Anderson Valley and Mendocino, drive though the Valley for the wineries (Navarro is a fav of mine), check out the coast and Mendocino before Fort Bragg.

kwil

What about something like... 2 nights in Marin (Tiburon or personally I love Cavallo Point in Sausalito), 2 nights in Mendocino, 2 nights in Healdsburg, 1 night in SF?

Is there a reason that you chose Bodega Bay specifically? Mendocino might be a bit farther than you were thinking of going, but it is sooo pretty. Or Pt Reyes would also be an option or Nick's Cove in Marshall.

There are so many things to do in Marin.. a hike on Mt Tam, or maybe coastal trail from Muir Beach then go have a beer at the Pelican Inn or Mountain Home Inn, Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, Rodeo Beach.

I agree about staying put a bit more than your original itinerary.

janisj

I don't quite see why the first 3 nights in two different places in Marin/southern Sonoma counties and then a dash north for one night and then back south for the next night. Not much moving and two hotels the first 3 days and then a lot of moving and two hotels the next two.

I'd do a variation of kwil's itinerary. Instead of Mendocino, consider 2 nights here. http://www.littleriverinn.com/ It is just south of Mendocino and they have view/veranda rooms w/ 2 queens. The Bayside rooms are the best bargain - amazing views, rocking chairs on the porch and 2 queen beds.

biogirl5579

Thank you for all your inputs!! Here's an updated plan based on all the feedback:

Day 1-Tiburon
Days 2/3-Bodega Bay
Days 4/5-Napa
Days 6/7-SF

Is that too much traveling? Is there plenty to do in those areas if the weather is good and or bad?

Thanks again!!

janisj

That is certainly a bit less hopping around, and it is your trip so of course choose what you want. But 3 nights in Tiburon/Bodega Bay and 2 in Napa wouldn't be my favorite.

It is personal opinion/subjective -- but I would do 2 nights in Marin county, 2 nights up north on the coast, and 2 nights in the Sonoma or Healdsburg area instead of Napa.

If you really want to stay in Bodega Bay that would be totally fine. I just think up north has the better scenery. There are redwoods other than Muir Woods if that is the reason for the Tiburon stop. And I'd pick Sonoma (area) over Napa (area) just about every time.

I guess what I'm saying is there is nothing at all wrong w/ your new plan, I just think it could be tweaked from nice to fabulous.

kwil

Ditto what janisj said.

I would choose the Mendocino Coast, which includes the area that the Little River Inn is located in, over Bodega Bay, and would always choose the Healdsburg area over Napa.

Are there specific reasons that you are choosing Bodega Bay and Napa? Is there somewhere specific that you are considering staying in Napa?

As for plenty to do if the weather is bad, much of your trip is geared towards the outdoors so you would be somewhat limited in your activities in the coastal areas. My advice would be to get rooms with a fabulous view, so if it rains you could sit on the patio with a glass of wine, a great book, and a stunning view.

PeaceOut

If you need a hotel in SF, the Hotel Rex is a nice boutique hotel near Union Square. It is a Joie de Vivre property.
We had two double beds there, in a quad room.

Otis_B_Driftwood

As others have said, the Mendocino area offers more to do and see than the Bodega Bay area. The accomodations are nicer there too. If you stay in Mendocino, there are options for seeing redwoods as you drive home through Anderson Valley.

In Napa, consider staying in Yountville or St Helena rather than the city of Napa.

fball

I would NOT stay in Napa. Agree that St. Helena & Yountville are much better choices. Bodega Bay is nice to drive through but unless you have a reason to be there, I would stay in Pt. Reyes or Jenner (at the Russian River) then head over to Healdsburg. It is a really long drive up to Mendocino for 1 night's stay & the scenery is not much different than Pt. Reyes. Lots of places to stay in Inverness or Pt. Reyes Station.

biogirl5579

My reasons for the locations was majorly based on price and two beds. I checked out lots of places mentioned above, however, most of them only had rooms with one king bed (as a romantic getaway). This is a trip with my friend, so we were looking for two beds and a little more space in a room.

I have heard that many people choose Sonoma over Napa, but does anyone have a suggestion for a two bed place to stay in? Also, is it that far to drive to Sonoma if I am staying in Napa.

We are planning to have the home base be the hotel town, but taking day trips in the area-bad idea?

Thanks for all your help!! I'll return the favor when anyone comes to Boston

biogirl5579

Just checked out two places in St. Helena-true they are gorgeous, but a little out of our price range. I would prefer the average daily rate to be $250-$275/night.

MichelleY

Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn has rooms with 2 queens as does the Dry Creek Inn in Healdsburg.

The towns of Napa and Sonoma are not far and basing yourself in either will not be a problem.

biogirl5579

Thanks Michelle!

bon_voyage

Ditto everyone who recommended Mendocino, Healdsburg, and the Point Reyes area. The coast north of San Francisco is one of the great drives anywhere. For me, the most dramatic scenery is just north of Jenner.

Thumbnails:

Point Reyes: the Park--excellent hiking with beautiful vistas of the Pacific; Point Reyes Station is a cute town with some good shopping e.g. the Cowgirl Creamery; lodging typically not in sight of the water

Mendocino: a lovely, lovely site on a headland jutting out into the sea (caveat: we've visited a dozen or so times but not for a few years); charming B & Bs and good restaurants; a lingering 60s vibe; arty; going to or from on the 128 you will be driving through the redwoods

Healdsburg: this little town has really grown up since we first stopped for lunch twenty plus years ago; a shaded central square that's the perfect size for the chic and trendy shops, restaurants, and hotels that now line it; nearby wineries and redwoods along the Russian River

bon_voyage

A quick check on Tripadvisor found that the Sea Gull Inn in Mendocino has rooms with two beds, and the Camellia Inn in Healdsburg has a family suite with a queen, a double, and a shared bath.

paula1470

I love St. Helena and yes the rooms are expensive there. But I found El Bonita Motel (here on Fodors) that is reasonable and I enjoyed my stay there. They do have rooms with 2 queens. I know they book up quickly but you can give them a call to check availability. The rooms look very basic on the website but mine room was huge and the bed was very comfortable. If you can get a room in the back it's better because there is some potential street noise. Really when you are in Napa Valley, you don't stay in your room anyway.

And yes the name is El Bonita even though that is incorrect in Spanish.
http://www.elbonita.com

elnap29

I think your current plan is fine. There are so many great places to explore in Northern California. It all depends on where you are coming FROM, and what experiences you are looking for. As far as the city of Napa goes, it would be fine, too! There are some great restaurants in town and your drive Upvalley is not long. The whole thing is only 30 min from one end to the other, so Napa as a base is fine, really. Sonoma(the town) is only about 15 -20 min. away.
Hotel rates are fairly low at the current time. We looked at the new Avia Hotel in downtown Napa the other night, and the rate was $120/ night. A hotel is more likely to have 2 beds/room than a B&B. There are quite a few nice hotels in Napa that you could try.

With your current itinerary, you would probably want to see the Redwoods at either Muir Woods (out of your Tiburon stay) and/or enjoy the Redwoods at Armstrong Redwoods State Park on your way from the coast to Napa.

Have a wonderful time exploring!