gard

Hi and greetings from Norway

My wife and I have started planning of the summer vacation and we are thinking about the US west coast. I would love to visit San Francisco and check out the city for a few days. I also notice that it is pretty close to the Napa Valley area and it would be great to also check out the wine districts there. At the moment we are looking at a two week trip and we will rent a car to get around. So what could we cover in such a time period? SF, Napa Valley and maybe the coastal road to LA? Any recommendations or advice is appreciated

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

tomfuller

SFO is not your only choice for an airport. San Jose and Sacramento are good choices depending on when your flight gets in and how soon you get the rental car. Flying to SFO consider riding BART into the city and rent a car downtown when you are ready to leave the city. Downtown is cheaper than at the airport. Napa Valley is the most famous wine area in CA but far from the only one.
Route 1 may be closed in the Big Sur area for months. Check with the CalTrans website on the washed out section.
IMHO there is plenty to see and do in northern California for 2 weeks without stretching all the way to Los Angeles.
Consider going to Yosemite NP. You will never forget it.

mlgb

They are projecting approximately a month for temporary repairs on US 1 (ie mid April). You can check the Caltrans website for updates. (It's SR-1)

Two weeks is lots of time, I'd include the area around Carmel/Pacific Grove (& Monterey). Note that summertime means coasta fog so driving the coast road isn't always productive. But you could go to Yosemite or Sequoia instead. Be sure to book for Yosemite ahead of time, you will have to go with the Camp Curry tent cabins for now.

StuDudley

I would plan to stay in San Francisco for about 3-4 days without a car. Then rent a car, and for 2-3 days visit some of the places in SF that are easier to access by car. Then head north over the GG Bridge in mid-afternoon around 3PM (for the better sun position - if there is sun) and drive up Cozelman Ave north of the Bridge for the most spectacular views in the immediate Bay Area, IMO. See the link below for details. Then continue past the 'crest" of the Cozelman drive and down into an area with more bunkers & take "all" the roads in that small region for some more fabulous views. You will need a Marin Co map for this. Then get back on 101 and head up north to the Wine Country. I like Healdsburg as a place to stay, but drive through Alexander Valley (just north of Healdsburg) and this road will swing around & finally get to Calistoga in the Napa Valley. Spend a day driving in the Napa Valley also. I would stay in the Wine country for 3 nights - preferably on week-days (not the week-end). You can base in Healdsburg & visit the Napa Valley from there.

Then head back to San Francisco, and take the 19th ave exit off the GG Bridge & go through Golden Gate Park & then on to 19th Ave and end up on 280 heading south. Make your way to Carmel and stay in Carmel or Pacific Grove for 2-3 nights. Visit Pt Lobos for a half-day and then head slowly down the coast (only speed you can travel) to Big Sur. Stay at the Big Sur Lodge, and have lunch or dinner at Nepenthe. Visit all three Pfeiffer places there. Wonderful coastline. Then continue slowly down the coast to San Simeon and visit Hearst Castle. Stay in San Simeon or Cambria. Then back up 101 to SF.

So far,
- 5-6 nights in San Francisco.
- 3 nights in Healdsburg/wine country
- 2-3 nights in Carmel
- 1 night in Big Sur
- 1 night in San Simeon/Cambria.

You could plug in Yosemite between the Wine Country and Carmel/Big Sur if you stay the minimum nights I suggested and if you really have about 16 nights available (Fri night to Sat night). As Tom mentioned, you could fly in/out of several airports.

Here are my ideas of things to do & see in the SF Bay Area - including the Napa & Sonoma wine regions and down the coast to Carmel, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, etc.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

Attnymom

I second Healdsburg as a great base for touring the wine country. It is a charming little town with several great restaurants within walking distance - which is a plus if you like to enjoy wine with dinner. We stayed at the Healdsburg Hotel and loved it.

traveldawg

Where do you live in Norway? We live in downtown San Francisco and are planning to tour Norway in May. Any Norway tips?

gard

Thanks for the advice so far guys - I will take it with me in the planning

I live in Stavanger on the south west coast of Norway - it is famous for places like http://gardkarlsen.com/preikestolen.htm If you do stop by here and you are reasonably fit you should visit that place or even better; Kjerag ;-) How long are you touring in Norway? Are you going for a cruise?

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

bi_sf_grl

Yes, if you are in SF the be sure to visit Napa/Sonoma and Monterey area. The beauty of SF is that is is centrally located so that you are within few hours drive to everywhere. Plan on spending at least 1-2 days at each one of these places. You can also visit Yosemite, it is an amazing place to visit during summer (be sure to reserve camp or lodging etc in advance).

JoshuaRay

Yountville is my favorite but healdsburg is a close 2nd. I have stayed at both several times. I have stayed at the Hotel Healdsburg twice and would again. If staying in Healdsburg go to J wines and book a tasting in there bubble room. I think it is just on the weekends and you need an appointment to make sure you get in. It's the best food and wine pairing you will find in the area!!! The best garden and grounds is ferrari carano it is a short drive north of Healdsburg

tower

Josh, like your style..Crillon, George V, Meurice..how about the Ritz?..and Hotel Healdsburg. Welcome to Fodors..you'll love it. Where from?
Stuart tower