stjohnbound

Okay, the trip is back on schedule. DH and I will be arriving in SFO in October on a Monday night. Will be renting a car (haven't made reservations yet) and driving to Los Gatos for the night. The next morning we drive to Carmel where we have three nights reserved at Tradewinds Inn. Plan to see Carmel, Point Lobos, Big Sur and do the 17 mile drive. I have researched restaurants and read all the good reviews here so I won't go into that. I do have a question about the attire at restaurants such as Casanova, Bouchee, White House, etc. Is it very dressy? After Carmel we are driving up Highway 1 to Point Reyes with a definite stop at Muir Woods. This is one part of the trip that I haven't researched too much. I have a room (Room number 1) reserved for Friday and Saturday nights at Mankas. I also reserved dinner there for Friday night. Then on Sunday we'll drive to San Francisco and stay two nights at Campton Place.

Please comment on the hotels I've chosen, especially Mankas. Will two nights there be too much? Would you suggest one night and then someplace else the next night (maybe somewhere in Sonoma County?). What is the attire for the restaurant at Mankas? I realize this only leaves us two days in San Francisco so what are some must do's there? Thank you for any and all comments!

Underhill

Where are you staying in Los Gatos?

stjohnbound

At the Garden Inn. I believe this was an earlier suggestion from you. We'll probably not be arriving until close to 9:00 p.m. and then leaving the next morning.

razzledazzle

From Carmel,I would take 101 up to SF
to the PCH Hwy1/19th Ave split over to the GG Bridge and then in Mill Valley
catch Hwy 1 on up to Pt. Reyes-plenty of winding driving and awesome scenery
along the way. Manka's is no more than
nice sport-call them if unsure-it would be odd to see a tie in Pt. Reyes.
I could spend a week at Pt. Reyes. Do you like hikes and nature and beautiful vistas? If not,you may be happier to move on to the Sonoma Wine Country.
As you are staying at Campton Place-I would say McArthur Place is the stop for you.
R5

kimamom

The restaurants you mentioned are VERY good! We just had lunch at Casanova, of course lunch is more casual.

The White House is excellent, I like to dress up for dinner, but actually what ever you're comfortable with would be fine.

We dined at the Sierra Mar last night and saw everything from shorts to suits for the men and fancy dresses/skirts to capri pants for the women.

I think at the coast, the rule of thumb is just resort casual. If you can at all possible have lunch or dinner at Sierra Mar, go for it! It's truly amazing. ***kim***

traveldawg

kimamom is correct on the dress at Carmel area restaurants. We live in the area. Resort casual and you will be fine.

stjohnbound

Thanks everyone for your great posts. Razzledazzle, we definitely like nature and hiking so I'm sure we'll have plenty to do in Point Reyes. I looked up MacArthur Place and it's very nice. Maybe we'll save that for our next trip to Northern California. Haven't taken the first one yet and I'm already planning the next one! Kimamom, I swear you've been to every restaurant out there (LOL!). I definitely have Sierra Mar on my list. Would love to stay at Post Ranch sometime...maybe I'll win the lotto. Again, thanks everyone for your replies. Now back to the Weather Channel. Frances is expected to hit sometime tomorrow but it looks like we'll fare much better than those on the east coast of Florida.

kimamom

LOL, not quite, but I'll post more about that in my trip report later. Now it's off to the condo for a couple of days! Hubby is into this wine-making thing, so he and the kids are all picking grapes now and we're going to do "the crush" when they get back.

We'll see how this new venture goes. Maybe I should post a few of my questions on a wine board, anyone know a good one? We're making some Chardonay and Cab Sav today.

My two least favorites, hopefully some Zin soon. But we are taking a really nice bottle of Pinot Noir up to the restaurant there. It's from Oregon! ***kim***

je

Manka's is a great place to stay and have dinner but it's somewhat isolated. It depends on what you want to do. I don't think there are any wineries out there but you are near the coast for great hikes and scenery. You might want to think about taking the drive over to the Sonoma Valley area and visit some of the great wineries there.

Campton Place is in a great location in SF near Union Square. Lots of very good restaurants but Tadich's Grill On California is one of the oldest seafood restaurants around and worth a stop. You may have a long wait for a table with reservations but just go and wait for a couple of seats at the counter which is fun.