One Week in Northern California Trip Report
Oct 29th, 2017, 06:00 PM
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One Week in Northern California Trip Report
Sept. 30th - Oct. 7th, 2017.
My spouse, his brother & wife and I (all from the Southeast Coast and retired) met in San Francisco. We used booking.com for the majority of our reservations as they have the most liberal cancellation policies.
Our first two nights we stayed at the Stanyan Park Hotel, right on the edge of Golden Gate Park and The Haight. A nice breakfast buffet is included in the cost of the room. It is a lovely old Victorian, and two good things: it has an elevator, and it was quiet!
We took the Big Bus Hop On and Off one day city tour ($45 booked online) and found it a convenient way to see the main sights, as we only had the one day. We were not able to coordinate our timing to take the included walking tours; a convenience was being able to board and return a few blocks from our hotel (Stop #11). The narration is mostly recorded with annoying "filler" music, but informative nonetheless. Sunday is the only day Golden Gate bridge is part of the tour, lucky us!
From there we rented a car (see my hint on SFO Rental Car Access from Downtown $ Saving Hint) and drove to Monterey along Route 1. Gorgeous! We had superb weather and only hit traffic around Santa Cruz. We planned a stop at Wilder Ranch State Park and found it quite disappointing, nothing like the brochure I found online(?)
Inn By The Bay Monterey was a nice, clean and quiet night's stay, but the distance walking to the Wharf was underestimated by a young staff member! The Wharf was disappointing, somewhat of a honky tonky feel to it. Carmel by the Sea and the 17 Mile Drive sooo worth the trip. Took a million photos!
Back up North, the Sheraton in Petaluma on the Marina is a beautiful place, great value for the money. But have breakfast at the Marina Bean at the end of the complex instead, cheaper - and better coffee! Hidden gem was Taps Restaurant on the river with live music and Salt & Pepper wings to die for!
Headed to the coast, we let our GPS take us from Rt 1 down Bay Hill Rd, a narrow, windy, crazy road into Bodega Bay, what an incredible view!! Another narrow, crazy road was driving down to Goat Rock Beach in Jenner. Beach level access without cliff climbing! {although the signs state it is one of the deadliest beaches in CA due to Tsunami potential!}
Armstrong Redwood Forest was our great alternative to Muir Woods suggestion. The ride along the Russian river into Guerneville was amazing, the shift in terrain and habitat. Park in the lot outside the gatehouse and walk in for free.
From what I read, Glen Ellen downtown was spared in the fires - it is such a lovely little village. Jack London Lodge is a good accommodation, wonderful pool, but it was too cold for this Floridian! We wanted to transport the Glen Ellen Market home with us, it is off the hook. We ate at Aventine's (Fettuccini with Boar Ragu to die for!) and The Fig Cafe (everything was great, olive appetizer is killer!). Benziger Winery Tram tour is fantastic, our guide Tom was a character and so informative!
We packed alot into a week, but without killing ourselves and enjoyed every minute in California!
My spouse, his brother & wife and I (all from the Southeast Coast and retired) met in San Francisco. We used booking.com for the majority of our reservations as they have the most liberal cancellation policies.
Our first two nights we stayed at the Stanyan Park Hotel, right on the edge of Golden Gate Park and The Haight. A nice breakfast buffet is included in the cost of the room. It is a lovely old Victorian, and two good things: it has an elevator, and it was quiet!
We took the Big Bus Hop On and Off one day city tour ($45 booked online) and found it a convenient way to see the main sights, as we only had the one day. We were not able to coordinate our timing to take the included walking tours; a convenience was being able to board and return a few blocks from our hotel (Stop #11). The narration is mostly recorded with annoying "filler" music, but informative nonetheless. Sunday is the only day Golden Gate bridge is part of the tour, lucky us!
From there we rented a car (see my hint on SFO Rental Car Access from Downtown $ Saving Hint) and drove to Monterey along Route 1. Gorgeous! We had superb weather and only hit traffic around Santa Cruz. We planned a stop at Wilder Ranch State Park and found it quite disappointing, nothing like the brochure I found online(?)
Inn By The Bay Monterey was a nice, clean and quiet night's stay, but the distance walking to the Wharf was underestimated by a young staff member! The Wharf was disappointing, somewhat of a honky tonky feel to it. Carmel by the Sea and the 17 Mile Drive sooo worth the trip. Took a million photos!
Back up North, the Sheraton in Petaluma on the Marina is a beautiful place, great value for the money. But have breakfast at the Marina Bean at the end of the complex instead, cheaper - and better coffee! Hidden gem was Taps Restaurant on the river with live music and Salt & Pepper wings to die for!
Headed to the coast, we let our GPS take us from Rt 1 down Bay Hill Rd, a narrow, windy, crazy road into Bodega Bay, what an incredible view!! Another narrow, crazy road was driving down to Goat Rock Beach in Jenner. Beach level access without cliff climbing! {although the signs state it is one of the deadliest beaches in CA due to Tsunami potential!}
Armstrong Redwood Forest was our great alternative to Muir Woods suggestion. The ride along the Russian river into Guerneville was amazing, the shift in terrain and habitat. Park in the lot outside the gatehouse and walk in for free.
From what I read, Glen Ellen downtown was spared in the fires - it is such a lovely little village. Jack London Lodge is a good accommodation, wonderful pool, but it was too cold for this Floridian! We wanted to transport the Glen Ellen Market home with us, it is off the hook. We ate at Aventine's (Fettuccini with Boar Ragu to die for!) and The Fig Cafe (everything was great, olive appetizer is killer!). Benziger Winery Tram tour is fantastic, our guide Tom was a character and so informative!
We packed alot into a week, but without killing ourselves and enjoyed every minute in California!
