Bragging rights & photos don't take any room, weigh nothing and you don't have to dust them!

It's well worth the trip isn't it Bobbuuck? 14hrs ... just time for dinner, a glass or two, good book & a nap, really.
And don't forget - going home, you gain a day

I'll second that!

Hi Stonest!

Whew, just making the final decision must be a relief!

<waving at Elnap - very good suggestion on the walking books

BobRichards has made a suggestion of Carmel/Monterey, one of the most beautiful places (IMO), thereby using up all your time effectively between the 3 places! See how easy that was?!

I used to live in Carmel & Monterey, so I'm familiar with that as well (actually, you could spend the entire week there with no problem - there's enough wineries, beautiful scenery, walks, etc....but I digress...)

Feel free to email me directly as we don't want to turn this into a San Francisco Forum and bore everyone.

Regards,

Melodie

Not boring us, Melodie - we'll all make San Francisco, eventually!

Margo,

maybe we better have the next Fodors GTG here then! I'm up for hosting a big barbie!

Melodie

Come down under and see us!! I now live in Sydney after 30 years in Melbourne where I was born. I came for a holiday for a week and had a blast. There was so much to do and we didn't spend a fortune. I know live here with my partner - who was just my travel buddy for the trip - now we've been together for 2 years!

There is plenty to do in Sydney and lots of places you can do day trips to on the trains and buses. The weather might be an issue if it's raining, but believe me, every time I go down to Sydney, two week is never enough. I was recently in Sydney and the Australia dollar made some things a little pricey. I guess that's why fast food is sometimes the better option.
Enjoy your trip!

All good advice above. I have just arrived back in Sydney from New York and a stopover in San Francisco.I strongly suggest when you eventually come to visit us that you allow enough time to have a stopover to break the long journey, otherwise you will spend your first few days here in a daze. Good luck in San Francisco which you will love and see you downunder one day!

Well I've booked a flight from SFO to SYD in December. 17 hours each way including a couple of hours layover at LAX. Using Delta to get miles so I know I could fly direct from SFO on UAL and Qantas.

And I will have 5 full days including arriving early in the morning before flying back.

But I see rates in September for the same flight is almost 50% cheaper so I may do that as well and go to Cairns.

Wow, scrb11. That's a lot of flying hours. It is do-able though. I was just in SYD for one week in March (from ORD) but I was attending a wedding. I filled every minute of my 7 days in SYD! I didn't have time to be jetlagged (haha).

scrb11 you will love Sydney a beautiful city and harbour.

Cairns in Sept is a good time to go also. Lots to see and do. You do get some very good flying rates from the US

Well my husband and I will have 10 days in Sydney...I know it would be ideal to have more time, but with the amount of vacation my husband gets we're going to be limited. We're going around Christmas/New Years so it will obviously be very busy, but I'm very excited to get the opportunity to go so I'm jumping at it. Maybe some day in the future we'll be able to return and see more of the country.

Any absolute must do's that anyone can recommend we don't miss?

Sprout76, if you haven't already done so, I'd suggest you book your accommodation ASAP.

Is it so busy that time of year that it isn't fun? I really want to see the fireworks and spend the holiday without snow (we had 12" last year on Christmas day), but if it is going to be so busy that we won't enjoy it maybe we should change our plans and go a couple weeks earlier. And we're looking at Christmas 2011...so we're 18 months out. But, i've already found a place to stay. Thanks for the heads up

Not at all - it's just a popular time to be in Sydney and particularly for New Year's Eve fireworks and, as one would expect, the prime accommodation is booked early and is expensive for NYE.

I grew up in Sydney and while the city is wonderful, I would certainly recommend a day trip to the Hunter Valley. A day trip out of the city gives you a sense of where the city sits in the scale of things. If you'd like to be driven around by an experienced and capable guide, see some of the beautiful country side, taste some good wines check out http://www.winetourswithjason.com.au. There are tours happening throughout June. Hey... welcome to Aus!