uklisa

Hello. My husband and I, both in our early 40s, are planning a trip to San Francisco-Napa and Sonoma Valley area in September-October for two weeks. We love to explore, rather than laze about, so were wondering if the following was plausible: four days in San Francisco itself (possibly squeezing in a visit to Carmel), three days in Yosemite and four days in Napa-Sonoma (perhaps stopping at Sausalito on the way). We'd need two days for travelling from the UK and back.
Obviously, I understand it would depend on how much we'd like to see of any given area, but would this give us a good idea of these locations?
I also understand the driving time to Yosemite is six hours - given that, would three days be sufficient? We like to be active, but obviously don't want to run ourselves ragged.
Also, if we didn't want to have the car in San Francisco, is it possible to get a train or bus to Carmel, or preferable to have a car for this?
Last question: we were thinking of staying in a hotel in the Union Square area in San Francisco, but hoping to go self-catering in Sonoma if that's possible? Any recommendations would be gratefully received. Thanks for reading this long post.
Lisa and Grant

StuDudley

I would not recommend that you try to "squeeze in" Carmel into your 4 day visit to San Francisco. Four days is really not enough time in SF to see the sites - and Carmel would consume 2 days/1 night to make it enjoyable.

Personally, I would allot more time to Carmel than Napa. It is possible to do day-trips to the Napa area from San Francisco by car or organized tour. Four days in Napa might get a little boring if you are active people & really don't want any "down" time. You can ferry to Sausalito & back from SF too.

Here are some recommendations
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049

Stu Dudley

uklisa

Thanks for your advice. It's back to the drawing board then and more research on Carmel.

boom_boom

It depends on your interests. For me a day in Carmel is enough. If you want to visit/tour/taste at wineries with somewhat fewer people consider Healdsburg/Russian River/Alexandar and Dry Creek valleys. You could also spend two days and one night fewer there and drive scenic Highway 128 through the Anderson Valley to the coast and as far north as Mendicono.

elnap29

As a Napa Resident, I love looking at the scenery everyday; but since you are coming from the UK, you would probably want to spend more time seeing other areas. I would suggest a maximum of 2 nights in Napa Valley, but, really, only one night is sufficient. And you really could do a day trip if you just want to get the flavor of the place. It is only a one-hour drive from SF. YOu could rent a car for a day, or take the Vallejo ferry and arrange a tour guide, such as Platypus Tours www.playtpustours.com to pick you up at the ferry terminal. They would take good care of you for the day and return you to the ferry (or drop you off at a hotel in the Valley).

Yosemite needs a minimum of 2 nights for sure. 3 nights would be better.

Rent a car for your trip to Carmel/Monterey and spend 2 nights so you can explore Big Sur and Point Lobos.

uklisa

Thanks so much. This is really useful. I lived in South Africa for 20 years, my husand is SA-born and we love the Cape winelands - hence the interest in Napa and Sonoma.

kleroux

I think one or two nights in the Wine Country will give you a taste of what its all about. I prefer Healdsburg, because its a straight shot up Hwy. #101 from S.F. About 1 1/2 hours north of the Golden Gate Bridge. There are lots of "self catering" options in the area. Check out www.vrbo.com/healdsburg That's Vacation Rentals by Owner. You might even use that site for the Carmel/Monterey or Pacific Grove area. From SF to Carmel is an easy drive. You'll want your car. But I would look into a bus trip to Yosemite. It might be a package tour so you wouldn't have to do the long drive or worry about a hotel. Welcome to California.

uklisa

Thanks very much. It's a lot to think about.

dreawinetrain

Hi Lisa,

From the UK, I suggest flying in on Virgin and using the Virgin Holidays brochure as they have a fantastic itinerary which hits all of the destinations that you are looking into. They have recommended hotels including a pre-bookable excursion like the Napa Valley Wine Train. I do represent the train. The Wine Train is Napa's most distinctive restaurant. We also have a SF to Napa Connection so you do not have to drive to Napa.

StuDudley

>>From SF to Carmel is an easy drive

smetz

One thing to think about, uklisa, is that there are many folks who have spent a lot of time around the Napa and Sonoma valleys, who prefer Sonoma, and for good reason. It is more spread out, laid back, and less crowded than Napa Valley.

But it sounds like you've never been to the area before (and may not know when you'll be back), and in my opinion it would be a shame to miss Napa Valley. It can get crowded at times, and some of the tasting rooms are very commercial, but the valley itself is strikingly beautiful, and many of the wineries have very impressive buildings and art collections. Not to mention that many of the wines are among the most well regarded in the world.

Not to take anything away from Sonoma or any of the other winemaking regions in California - I've been out there a number of times, and if I went again I'd probably stick with Sonoma County too. But for a first and maybe only trip out there, I'd recommend not missing Napa Valley.

tmagyari

RE: self-catering question. VBRO definitely has quite a selection in Napa Valley. I've rented a house in St Helena for a weekend in May--haven't been to this house yet, but have used VRBO many times and haven't been disappointed. There were many beautiful homes to chose from, some on the vineyards themselves; almost all were less expensive than the local hotels or B and B's, and of course you get more space and privacy. Off season you shouldn't have trouble renting for a 1-2 night stay.

kimamom

We just stayed at Bardessono in Yountville, it was wonderful! Wow, what a gorgeous hotel. We walked to Bottega for dinner where I suggest you plan a meal. We also enjoyed a great lunch at Willi's Wine Bar in Santa Rosa, lunch at Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford and dinner at Martini House in St. Helena. Napa Valley is full of great places to wine taste and amazing restaurants. ***kim***

MichelleY

Start with SF for 4 days. Move down to Monterey/Carmel for 2 nights. Head east to Yosemite for 2 nights. Continue east, over Tioga Pass and head north up US 395 to Lake Tahoe. This will take you into the High Desert of the eastern Sierra and into Nevada: a totally different landscape and experience. Spend another 2 or 3 nights in North Lake Tahoe. Finish up with some time in Napa Valley before heading home to the UK.

California has many winegrape growing areas, so you will never be too far from winetasting.

NapaJulie

There are many wineries in Napa off the main highway and less crowded. You could google family owned or boutique wineries or any of the mountain appellations (Spring, Howell, etc.)to find some of these. They are all very scenic drives.

uklisa

Thank you so much for the great advice. We are now toying with renting an apartment in San Francisco for five days or so but still maybe overnighting in Carmel and the winelands (we may want to stay overnight to enjoy a restaurant and a drink, so wouldn't then want to drive back to SF). We may have to miss Yosemite this trip. If I'm honest we are guilty of trying to cram too much into our holidays. Like big kids desperate not to miss anything!

Ronda

We are all guilty of trying to cram too much into our vacations, Lisa! Staying overnight in wine country after a day of wine tasting and dining is a good call.

Ackislander

If you have been to Chianti in Italy, you will have a reasonable idea of what the Napa Valley looks like. If your husband likes wine, I can't imagine not making it a central activity of my trip after San Francisco. In m limited experience, the farther north you go, the better it gets.

The Sonoma Coast (Point Reyes etc) looks a lot like Scotland or English downland and to me is just as attractive as Carmel and almost (well. . . ) as attractive as Big Sur, which is much more interesting than Carmel.

None of this solves the problem of too much in too little time, but it may help to give you a flavor of what is out there.

FoodieAdventures

You sound like our kind of travelers Lisa and Grant! We'd be happy to have you on our Culinary Walking Tours of San Francisco. www.foodieadventures.com Come hungry!

clifbob

Hi elnap29
Are you still a Napa resident