San Francisco side trips, must sees
Mar 22nd, 2004, 01:20 PM
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San Francisco side trips, must sees
My wife and I will be traveling to SF in mid April for a conference (we'll be staying in Union Square). With three extra days for sight-seeking, what are some must do/sees for us middle-aged first-timers? We've heard renting a car for a day trip north might also be good (Muir Woods,Stinson Beach,Sonoma,Sausalito)? Also,any tips on avoiding crowds and traffic? Thanks in advance. The Doctor
Mar 22nd, 2004, 02:18 PM
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All of those are good ideas. Or how about taking the ferry to Sausalito (and you won't need to rent a car). Be sure to get out on the Bay somehow. The view of the City is so special from the Bay (and from Sausalito!)
Mar 22nd, 2004, 02:35 PM
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I would definately recommend going to Muir Woods. It is absoultely beautiful! I remember it being a little hard to find because we passed the sign and ended up in Stinson Beach first, it is also gorgeous but we didn't stop. I think Sonoma is less crowded than Napa because the wineries are smaller and more spread out. Mondavi has a great tour in Napa, though and I highly recommend it. But Sonoma has less crowds and seems more like "family run" wineries or at least that's what I thought in the late 90's. You have so much to see in SF, maybe take 1-2 daytrips and really enjoy the city.
Mar 22nd, 2004, 03:50 PM
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Please try NOT to drive to Sausalito. Take the ferry from the Ferry building (I think) Embarcadero BART station. I am not sure as usually I take a Golden Gate bus to Sausalito, and ferry back. The bus takes you over the Golden Gate bridge, nice views. I like to get off 2 stops before downtown and walk along the bay.
Mar 22nd, 2004, 04:10 PM
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Sonoma county is one of the best side trips I know of.
The wineries are smaller, cheaper and friendlier than the Napa wineries. Stinson Becah, while not quite in Sonoma county is a very cute beach town, and the beach is an excellent destination for a nice beach walk. Up the coast, the Sonoma county beaches are wild in comparison to Stinson. Largely undeveloped they feature sand dunes, rocks, driftwood and that's about it.
Spend a day on San Francisco bay, and go out to Angel Island. It's got a very interesting history, and the ferry ride out there is very invigorating.
many people like Monterey. I like the Aquarium there, and think it's fascinating, but I find the rest of the town insanely boring and can't wait to leave. It is a good place to overnight so as to fully appreciate Big Sur which is a wonder in and of itself.
The wineries are smaller, cheaper and friendlier than the Napa wineries. Stinson Becah, while not quite in Sonoma county is a very cute beach town, and the beach is an excellent destination for a nice beach walk. Up the coast, the Sonoma county beaches are wild in comparison to Stinson. Largely undeveloped they feature sand dunes, rocks, driftwood and that's about it.
Spend a day on San Francisco bay, and go out to Angel Island. It's got a very interesting history, and the ferry ride out there is very invigorating.
many people like Monterey. I like the Aquarium there, and think it's fascinating, but I find the rest of the town insanely boring and can't wait to leave. It is a good place to overnight so as to fully appreciate Big Sur which is a wonder in and of itself.
Mar 22nd, 2004, 04:15 PM
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I agree with most of the above. Since you have only 3 days and are a first-timer, I would stick to SF and maybe Sausalito and Stinson Beach. Napa/Sonoma, Monterey and Muir Woods are all gorgeous and fun, but each would take a solid day away from the city. I would recommend Chinatown and Alcatraz (for the boat ride as well as for the tour), and that you read other threads here on SF for more ideas. (A ballgame at China Basin--will the season have started by then?)
Mar 22nd, 2004, 04:40 PM
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Hi, doc!
Forget the conference. What's it about this time? Livers? Oh, no, livers are in Chicago this year, aren't they? The pancreas? So boring. Forget the conference and just go visit Muir Woods.
(Just kidding!)
You will need a car for going north of San Francisco. As you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, take the first exit on the right and park in the Viewpoint lot for a magnificent view back towards San Francisco and the GG Bridge which you have just crossed.
Then, as you get back on Highway 101, take the next immediate exit to the right. Believe it says something like "Alexander Valley". This road will split and the left branch will go under the freeway. Take this left branch. You will end up on the other side of 101 and headed south again.
Once on the other side of the freeway, the road splits again. The left branch heads back across the GG Bridge. Take the RIGHT branch to the Marin Headlands. At the top of the hill, park alongside the road. Walk to the old battery posts on the top of the hill and you'll have a panoramic view of the GG Bridge and San Francisco. This view always takes my breath away.
Go back under the freeway and catch 101 northbound again. Look carefully for the signs for Muir Woods. Visit Muir Woods and hike its trails.
On return, go to Sausalito. Have dinner at the Spinnaker Restaurant. This restaurant juts out into the Bay and sailboats pass within reach of the huge glass windows. Pretty good food.
Your trip is counter traffic, so you should encounter a minimum of traffic jams. Most people will be streaming into San Francisco to come to work, while you are headed out. In the evening, everyone is streaming out of San Francisco going home, while you are returning IN to San Francisco.
Next day, go north on 101 again and head for the Sonoma wine country. Even if you don't drink wine, go and drive around the countryside. Personally, I think that the Russian River Valley and the Alexander Valley have the most beautiful views.
However, I would suggest that you detour to Sonoma and visit Viansa Vineyards first. Then head up to Sonoma itself. Stop by the Sonoma Supermarket. It has a superlative display of local as well as European cheeses in its gourmet deli section. If you like cheese at all, these are wonderfully tasting and fresh cheeses.
You will find a lot of information on the Sonoma wineries here on Fodors. Just type in "Sonoma" in the search box above.
Personally, I would recommend that you see at least Chateau Souverain and Ferrari-Carano. But, there are so many wonderful wineries in the area!
I don't know what your schedule or hotel reservations are like, but you could spend the night in Sonoma instead of coming back into San Francisco.
On the other hand, if you want to make a one day trip north, then leave very early and be finished with Muir Woods by noon. This will leave you the afternoon to explore Sonoma. The wineries close about 4pm or 5pm. Dinner in Sausalito, then back to SF.
I am assuming that of the three days you want to spend some time exploring San Francisco? Let us know. The people here on Fodors are immensely generous and helpful. The more detailed your input, the better the information you will get!
Have fun!
Forget the conference. What's it about this time? Livers? Oh, no, livers are in Chicago this year, aren't they? The pancreas? So boring. Forget the conference and just go visit Muir Woods.
(Just kidding!)
You will need a car for going north of San Francisco. As you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, take the first exit on the right and park in the Viewpoint lot for a magnificent view back towards San Francisco and the GG Bridge which you have just crossed.
Then, as you get back on Highway 101, take the next immediate exit to the right. Believe it says something like "Alexander Valley". This road will split and the left branch will go under the freeway. Take this left branch. You will end up on the other side of 101 and headed south again.
Once on the other side of the freeway, the road splits again. The left branch heads back across the GG Bridge. Take the RIGHT branch to the Marin Headlands. At the top of the hill, park alongside the road. Walk to the old battery posts on the top of the hill and you'll have a panoramic view of the GG Bridge and San Francisco. This view always takes my breath away.
Go back under the freeway and catch 101 northbound again. Look carefully for the signs for Muir Woods. Visit Muir Woods and hike its trails.
On return, go to Sausalito. Have dinner at the Spinnaker Restaurant. This restaurant juts out into the Bay and sailboats pass within reach of the huge glass windows. Pretty good food.
Your trip is counter traffic, so you should encounter a minimum of traffic jams. Most people will be streaming into San Francisco to come to work, while you are headed out. In the evening, everyone is streaming out of San Francisco going home, while you are returning IN to San Francisco.
Next day, go north on 101 again and head for the Sonoma wine country. Even if you don't drink wine, go and drive around the countryside. Personally, I think that the Russian River Valley and the Alexander Valley have the most beautiful views.
However, I would suggest that you detour to Sonoma and visit Viansa Vineyards first. Then head up to Sonoma itself. Stop by the Sonoma Supermarket. It has a superlative display of local as well as European cheeses in its gourmet deli section. If you like cheese at all, these are wonderfully tasting and fresh cheeses.
You will find a lot of information on the Sonoma wineries here on Fodors. Just type in "Sonoma" in the search box above.
Personally, I would recommend that you see at least Chateau Souverain and Ferrari-Carano. But, there are so many wonderful wineries in the area!
I don't know what your schedule or hotel reservations are like, but you could spend the night in Sonoma instead of coming back into San Francisco.
On the other hand, if you want to make a one day trip north, then leave very early and be finished with Muir Woods by noon. This will leave you the afternoon to explore Sonoma. The wineries close about 4pm or 5pm. Dinner in Sausalito, then back to SF.
I am assuming that of the three days you want to spend some time exploring San Francisco? Let us know. The people here on Fodors are immensely generous and helpful. The more detailed your input, the better the information you will get!
Have fun!
Mar 23rd, 2004, 06:29 AM
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Thank you all, for your great suggestions! I'm assuming I'll need 2 day trips, in order to cover: Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, Pt.Reyes, Sonoma, and Sausalito. What's the best way to divvy these up, and what's the preferred route north, Rt.1, Rt.101, etc? Also, if we find we only have one day available, which should we do, and which should we eliminate? Thanks, Doc.
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