2 WEEKS in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, suggestions?
 

We're thinking of a vacation in northern California, approx. Sept. 10-26, flying in/out of San Francisco, and renting a car. What we're thinking of is driving to Mendocino (where we've never been before)and spending 1 week, then driving to the Sonoma wine country for another week. Is this good, or is this too much time at each place?

We love beautiful scenery and B & B's (I see there are many in Mendicino), so maybe it wouldn't be too much time. We like wine too. We spent 3 days in Calistoga several years ago. That's it for our wine country visits. Or is there somewhere else we ought to see instead?

We're from the east and don't get to CA very often. Thank you very much for your tips and suggestions.

The drive to Mendocino is georgous. If you get the chance, cut over to Avenue of the Giants, where the tall Redwoods are. This is a lovely drive.
We also enjoyed the little town of Elk on the coast and stayed at a wonderful place called the Elk Cove Inn. Website:www.elkcoveinn.com

We just got back from an eleven day trip in those areas. Click my name and see the trip report.

Thank you tcapp and AJ for such quick responses, however, I can't get your trip report AJ. I clicked on your name but nothing came up. Am I doing something incorrectly?

Here's an idea to consider: try a couple of days at the coast in Sonoma County at Bodega Bay. Beautiful beaches (Sept is the "summer" for this area) and some good restaurants (try Lucca's Wharf or Duck Club). Very pretty and quaint. This is the town of Hitchock's Birds fame--the Inn at the Tides Restaurant has pictures from the movie.

There is also a great (but not too difficult) hike close by at Armstrong Redwoods--you hike upwards and the scenery actually changes to forest and then you arrive back in the grasses and ground cover/sands overlooking the ocean.

Might be an option for splitting your week. Sonoma wine tasting area is only an hour (give or take--I can't quite remember) away.

Have a fun trip!

First of all you might want to consider flying into either Sacramento or Oakland rather than San Francisco. Either one of thiose airports will be more convenient to Mendocino and the wine country.

In addition I also would reccommend spending a couple of days in Napa too. You also might want to consider Healdsburg and Fort Bragg as well. There are so many nice towns up in that are if CA

Sorry the name click didn't work. Maybe you have to be me to click me?

I topped my trip report. Or you can put: "Trip Report: The Great Coastal Wine and Food Trip of 2004" into the search box.

A week in Sonoma may be overkill.

Seems like a lot of time in each place have you considered maybe 4 days at Lake Tahoe, not to do casinos, but the beaches at the lake and the hiking and scenery are incredible, and that time of year it is at it's best. If you want more tahoe info let me know.

I keep telling myself I could spend a month there, but in reality would do 5-6 days in Sonoma (maybe 2 places?)and surrounding areas (I love Healdsburg) 5 days in Mendo- include a trip to Montgomery Woods,wineries, Hendley Woods, maybe horseback at Ft Bragg, river kayaking, biking at Big River, a day down to Elk, Gualala. Then, spend 2 days in Sacramento.DEFinitely fly out of Sacramento vs Oakland or SF.