bdklein

Alright all you experts.
My wife and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary. Currently our plans are as follows.
Friday June 27th. Fly to San Fran from NY and arrive in the AM. Spend 3 nights at the Omni Hotel, seeign San Fran. On Sunday we plan on driving down the coast to Los Gatos-visiting David Bruce winery. Then back to Frisco in the afternoon. On Monday AM drive up the coast, and into Sonoma. Then spend 3 nights at the Wine Country Inn in St. Helena, and cruise around Napa/Sonoma for the 3 days. Then a late night flight out of Frisco on Thursday night.

What do you think of the itinerary? Any don't miss sights? Restaurants? Wineries? Any and all advice is welcome; thanks in advance.

TrvlMaven

Your itinerary sounds fine, but important advice first: Call it SF or "The City" but never "Frisco", and generally not SanFran. You might enjoy Copia in Napa as a great overview of the area and related food and wine industries. Darryl Sattui's new "Castello de Amorosa" is interesting, especially if you are into all things medieval. Dine (lunch or dinner) at the CIA at Greystone.

NW_Native

You mentioned driving down the coast to Los Gatos and the Santa Cruz mountain wineries. Hwy 1 will eat up a lot of time and you won't cross back until you reach Santa Cruz and pick up Hwy 17. If you prefer the more direct inland route via Hwy 280 and you also enjoy touring gardens I would recomend a stop to visit Filoli Gardens and Estate near Woodside, CA. Which is about 45 min. south of SF.
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/woodside-california.html

Return to Hwy 280 south and take Hwy 85 to Hwy 17 west which will either take you to Los Gatos or continue on Hwy 17 to the Bear Creek Road exit. This will head up the mountain to David Bruce winery.
http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/highway17.html

I also recomend a stop at Byington winery which is 1/4 mi past David Bruce. The views from Byington are much better and the wines are very good!

Return back the way you came and head into Los Gatos or Saratoga for a meal at one of the many restaurants there. CA-9 connects Los Gatos and Saratoga.

If you go into Saratoga another intersting stop is the Hakone Japanese Gardens. hakone.com
It might be of interest on the way back if you have the time.

bdklein

NW-Native.
I wanted to drive down the coast. Figured the views would be nice (assuming there's no fog). Then cut across by Half Moon Bay on 92 or further south by pescadero or route 84. Definitely not going all the way down to Santa Cruz. Your thoughts?

StuDudley

>>Your thoughts?<<

Yep - you won't see too much coast from SF to Half Moon Bay along Hwy 1 - except for Devil's Slide (appropriatly named). Instead, take 280 south (pretty drive) to 92 west to Half Moon Bay (drive down Main St if you want to see a cute town). Then head south along the coast from HMB - much prettier.

As TrvlMaven suggested - it's about a 2-3 day drive from Los Gatos to Frisco, Kansas.

Do a search on "Stu Dudley" in the USA forum & you'll find my "favorite things" to do & see in The City.

Stu Dudley

NW_Native

Stu's a good resource in these matters bdklein. Thanks for providing the "thought's" Stu!

There's a bit of coast between HMB from 92 to Hwy 84, but if you pass Hwy 84 the road quality will greatly diminish (more switchbacks, etc) until you reach Santa Cruz. Likely not a good use of time if you want to visit the Santa Cruz Mountain wineries.

San Gregorio State Beach is just past Hwy 84. For an overhead pic of the area check this link. http://tinyurl.com/2o5jba

If you have the time, a day trip across the GG Bridge and around the Marin headlands to the Point Bonita Lighthouse might give you the coastal adventure you're seeking.
There is a half mile trail to the lighthouse.
http://www.nps.gov/goga/pobo.htm

Here's an overhead view of the Point Bonita Lighthouse. http://tinyurl.com/2n9sgp

fuzzbo

Enjoy your trip! Last year we spent out 10 year anniversary out there with a near identical itinerary. We had a fabulous time. Have fun.

San Francisco dining we enjoyed:
Andalu in a funky area by the 16th Street Bart Station
-http://www.andalusf.com/home.html

Balboa Cafe (with the best grass fed beef burgers!)
http://www.balboacafe.com/plumpjackb...sf.aspx?loc=sf

Frascati - Right off the cable car line
http://www.frascatisf.com/

In Sonoma (Healdsburg)
http://www.charliepalmer.com/dry_creek/home.html

TrvlMaven

Hey Stu--would you go through Frisco, Colorado on the way to Frisco, Kansas? ;-)

easytraveler

bdklein: don't mind the "boys"! They're just having a bit of fun! Sometimes for some locals "Frisco" is like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Might I ask why you are going to Los Gatos? Is it just to visit the David Bruce winery? Then it's not worth it, especially since you are going to Napa and Sonoma.

I'd recommend that you spend that extra day north of San Francisco as well. Go along the northern coast - the Marin Headlands and Point Bonita - that whole area is a prettier drive than going down along the coast to Half Moon Bay.

If you've never been to the West Coast, I'd also suggest adding in Muir Woods and Sausalito.

Have a great trip! And welcome to California!

travelgourmet

If you can get reservations, and you really love food, then a trip to French Laundry is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It isn't cheap, but I would gladly eat at French Laundry for one meal and eat fast food the rest of the time if that is what it took to balance out the costs. Besides, after you eat at French Laundry all that follows will taste rather ordinary anyway.

For more affordable dining, I think Taylor's Refresher is a great lunchtime stop. And, if you have never been, try to find your way to an In-n-Out Burger.

As for wineries. Don't dismiss Mondavi. They make some very good wines (esp. at the high end), and their educational offerings are probably the best of any of the wineries. I signed up for a wine tasting class that was very well done. Scheduling something like that as your first stop can greatly improve your experience the rest of the time.

As for other wineries in Napa. I really like the wines (esp. the Garys' Vineyard Pinot) and the vibe at Miner. Paraduxx has some interesting Cab/Zin blends. Cakebread is another fave, and does a good tour. Pine Ridge is a friendly place with good wines. Sinskey is another good one.

In Sonoma, Rafanelli is a personal favorite, but note that you have to make an appointment. David Coffaro makes some good wine, and he is one heck of a friendly guy. Fritz is good, as is Bella in the same neck of the woods. And Seghesio is a very friendly, family-run place that produces top-notch Zin. Another one worth finding is Papapietro Perry.

A couple of other notes. Don't be afraid to spit. I'm usually the driver, so do it mostly because of that, but staying sober also ensures you will be able to taste the wines at the last place you stop almost as well as you did at the first. Also, don't pay for the tasting fees until they ask specifically for it. Some places will waive the fee if you buy a bottle or two, or charge you for one tasting, even if you got two, etc. Talk to the folks working the counters - showing an interest will net you a much better experience. Finally, you only need to do one tour, and only if you have never done one before - they are all basically the same.

lisettemac

Mmmmm, David Bruce!

bdklein

Thanks all of you for your input/suggestions/thoughts, even those who don't like the phrases Frisco or SanFran. Just kidding. The reason for the ride to David Bruce is my wife and I just love his/their wines, and even though the grapes may come from other areas we feel like we must go there. Not sure about that one, though. And not sure about the French Laundry. The money is not the main issue-not sure about wanting to bring/wear a sportcoat, plus my wife does not eat much meat (no beef, lamb, etc.), or can deal with cream (lactose). Concerned about getting "stuck" with a price-fixe menu where the courses are not up her alley (we're both more seafood than meat). Any other suggestions on restaurants in Napa or SF? What about opinions on the Omni Hotel in SF or the Wine Country Inn in St. Helena? Thanks in advance.

R_Mondavi

I agree with travelgourmet, come to Napa for the great wines!

dovima

Hello bdklein,

If you are staying at the Omni, you are ideally situated for walking to North Beach and Chinatown. Also, you really must have at least a drink in the Carnelian Room, the restaurant at the top of the BofA Building, which is right across California Street from your hotel. Go right before dusk and make sure you get a window seat.

Since this is an anniversary trip, I'm forwarding a couple of links to restaurants which acquaintances have said were very good places to have such a celebratory meal. Either of these would be within walking distance of the Omni:

http://www.mythsf.com/

http://www.coirestaurant.com/menu-dinner.html

Also, about your trip down the coast: I happen to like driving Highway 84 very much, on a nice day, anyway. From 280 you go through the little town of Woodside, then up into the hills before coming out on the coast. You go through a nice mix of deep forest and open hillsides on the way. It is a twisty windy road in some parts, so don't be hurrying or under the influence.

dmlove

Echoing what dovima said, the drive through Woodside town and up into the hills is absolutely spectacular (especially if you're in a convertible!!). Also, the Omni is perfectly located for walking not only to Chinatown and North Beach, but also to the Ferry Building/Embarcadero, and, if you want a decent longer walk, to Fisherman's Wharf in one direction, and to AT&T Park in the other direction, both of which take you all along the waterfront. Try to visit the Ferry Bulding (at the foot of Market Street, about 5 blocks from your hotel) on Saturday morning for the fantastic farmers' market, but visit the permanent [food] shops, too. Maybe make a reservation for lunch at Slanted Door (which is in the Ferry Building).

Los Gatos has a top-notch restaurant of its own - I think it gets a 28 in Zagat - called Manresa. Another one where you have to call way in advance for reservations. Here's a link to their website:

http://www.manresarestaurant.com/

bdklein

Thanks all for your input. We are still planning on going to David Bruce for part of one day, but will go a little more inland due to your suggestions. Now, a question about going North. On Monday (workday-if it matters), we will be going north out of SF, planning on taking Route 1 North, and then heading east through Sonoma/Napa to St. Helena (where we are staying for 3 nights). If we want to see one scenic lighthouse area, should we go to Point Reyes or Point Bonita? Any other stops, thoughts, lunch places along the way?

dovima

Belden Lane - how could I forget to mention that, staying at the Omni, you will be steps from Belden Lane! This is a short alleyway between Kearny and Montgomery which can be entered from either Pine Street or Bush Street. It's full of restaurants: seafood (Plouf, Sam's), Spanish (B44), Italian (Tiramisu), casual French (Cafe Bastille), etc. On warmer nights and during most non-rainy days, there are tables set outdoors and it can be very festive. I think you'd like it.

dovima

If I had to choose between the two lighthouse destinations, I'd have to say Pt. Reyes. There's a lot of scenic driving on the way as well as the spectacular views at the actual lighthouse site. Be aware that getting to the Pt. Reyes lighthouse involves going down some 100 or so stairs and then, more importantly, going back UP! There are benches on a landing midway to collapse on. The view of the Farallon Islands is incredible from this vantage point. The Point Reyes lighthouse is not right off the highway. You enter the National Seashore area through Inverness off Highway One, then it's about 20-30 minutes more driving on the road out to the lighthouse.

This link will show you what the open days and hours are:

http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/hours.htm

At the end of June, there is a good chance of fog on the coast either north or south of S.F., so keep your plans flexible.

bdklein

dovima (and others), thanks for all your input. And remember, a foggy drive in a convertible on a vacation on Route 1 in June without two fighting kids is better than a great day of work!!

NW_Native

I think you'll have a great trip whatever the fog decides to do and the Wine Country Inn looks wonderful. As far as restaurants in the Napa Vly you might consider Greystone at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St Helena.
http://www.ciachef.edu/restaurants/wsgr/
cindysbackstreetkitchen.com/

I always make a point to stop at Cindy's when I'm in the area either for lunch or dinner. This is the sister restaurant to Mustard's Grill of Yountville.

Be sure to do some online searches for winery maps and order them for review to help plan your stops prior to arrival. Also keep in mind that within major regions like Napa and Sonoma there are multiple appellations or growing areas that contribute to the unique characteristics of the grapes based on soil type, elevation, micro-climate, etc. Here's an example:
http://www.napavalley.com/visitorsin...Winery_Map.pdf

Some of the wines I've enjoyed have come from Truchard in the Carneros area and Hendry just a bit north of there in the Oak Knoll area. In fact although Hendry is a small winery, by some standards, we had one of our best tours and sit down tastings there(appointment only). It was a great learning experience.

If you're interested in bio-dynamic (organic) grown grapes, a visit and tour of Benziger in the Glen Ellen section of Sonoma Vly is worthwhile. Heck it's worthwile just to try the wines. The Sonoma Mountain estate wines are really special.

There are so many places to choose from you'll likely leave with a list of places to return on a future trip!