1st California trip: San Francisco, and where else?
 

Hi everyone,

I think we are going to go to California for the first time at the end of June/early July, probably for a week or so. We will be flying in and out of SFO. Should we stay in San Francisco the entire time, or combine it with Wine Country, or something else? Any suggestions would be great...thanks :)

With a week, you could spend a few days in SF and then a few days in the Monterey area or the wine country. Keep in mind that Sonoma and Napa are not far from SF and can be done as a day trip if you want to. If you can get reservations, Yosemite is another good choice. The Gold Country, along Hwy 49 is fun. Although not "the wine country", there are wineries in the sierra foothills, Santa Cruz mountains, and Monterey area, so you can tour wineries in those areas too. You could also go north of SF - to Mendocino, Fort Bragg, Humboldt.

Lots of choices. Just depends on what sorts of things you want to do.

Just planned a trip there and left two days for SAN FRAN, a day trip up to the
wine country and then a few days in
Carmel and Big Sur. Absolutely perfect
and if you are midweek in Carmel, and
the weekend in the city you will get the
best rates..........
There is a restaurant in Big Sur not to miss..........on the right just look for it......guess we are not supposed to do
names here........starts with a N.......plan on lunch there.....the views
are out of this world..........

Maybe you want to spend a night or 2 in Yosemite - from city scenery to nature.

N for Nepenthe.

If you want to stay in Yosemite in mid summer, I think you'd better reserve now. I'd think an overnight in the wine country (Sonoma County preferred) and another in the Carmel area would be perfect. June can be chilly and over cast in both SF and Carmel...

I vote for driving down beautiful and scenic Highway One to Big Sur, too...but I'd have lunch at the Post Ranch Inn's restaurant called Sierra Mar. The restaurant was on the most recent cover of Travel & Leisure...or at least stop by for drinks out on the deck. You feel suspended over the water.

On the way down to Big Sur, stop at Pfeiffer Falls State Park and take the nice half mile walk down through the redwoods to view the falls.

We stayed at The Tickle Pink Inn in Carmel Highlands and loved it! Wine and cheese reception every afternoon on the Cliffside Deck and a lovely upscale "Continental" breakfast every morning.

I think one week is perfect to see the Bay Area and its vicinity. As most forum members have mentioned, head south for Carmel, Moneterey, and Pacific Grove. Do some research about accomodation, if you want to spare some nights down here. It"s $$. Utilize midweek rates.

Check out all the wonderful farmers' markets (not just the touristy one in SF by the ferry terminal). If you stop by Gilroy (along 101), you can visit the outlet. Also, go to a restaurant in called Black Bear DIner. They have locations in Gilroy, Carmel, Monterey, and Sonoma. The menus are styled as newspapers in the 1950s. (http://www.blackbeardiner.com). You'll feel like you're in bear country.

In Sonoma/Marin, you can also visit some hot spring resorts. Yosemite is too much of a hassle--save it for your next trip.

Thanks for all the great suggestions...I will definitely be looking into them :)

3 nights SF
Maxwell Hotel cute boutique neat Union Sq

2 nights Napa
Blackbird Inn B&B
Vineyards and the Wine Train (a must)

3 nights Yosemite
Yosemite Lodge
breathe-deep and marval!!!

google-maps everything before you go

Where ever you plan to stay, check out Priceline.com where you bid for the room costs. I also use a site, "Biddingfortravel.com", where I can check on what people have paid for a bid on Priceline in the city I plan to visit.

Have a great trip!