25th wedding anniversary in San Francisco
Jan 14th, 2008 | 09:04 AM
#1
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Joined: Jun 2006
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25th wedding anniversary in San Francisco
My husband and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary and have booked flights to San Francisco. We've traveled in Europe, the Middle East and throughout the east coast of the US. This will be our first trip out west. I know very little about the area and would like some advice from the numerous experts on this forum. We will be leaving Florida on 2/29 and returning on 3/5. My husband wants to see San Francisco and the wine country. While in San Francisco we would like to see Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf (yes I've read its touristy but would like to see it anyway), the Golden Gate Bridge and perhaps take a tour of the city. I've no idea where to go as far as wine country is concerned, Napa or Sonoma? Please forgive me if I sound totally ignorant of the area but I truly know nothing about it and I am only just researching our options. Our flights were very inexpensive and we don't want to spend a fortune on hotel accommodations so any advice there would be appreciated.
Jan 14th, 2008 | 04:39 PM
#2
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,149
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OK, let's talk wine country.
The Napa and Sonoma Valleys run parallel and are adjacent to each other with (small) mountains separating them.
The drive from the Golden Gate Bridge to either the town of Napa or the town of Sonoma is about an hour. The Napa Valley is 27 miles long and essentialy ends, for wine purposes, in Calistoga. The main road through the valley is Hwy 29, but parallel to it just a couple of miles away is the Silverado Trail. There are wineries along both.
The town of Napa is just that, and except for some interesting restaurants and some newer tourist development along the river, and the Copia Center (food and wine. Julia Child was involved when she was alive.)...well, except for that the wine activity is further up the valley, with wineries spread out among the communities of Yountville, Oakwood, Rutherford, St. Helena, and, finally, Calistoga.
There are some notable restaurants in the Napa area. The most noted require reservations sometimes months ahead.
The Sonoma Valley wineries begin in the valley before you come to the town of Sonoma, for example, the Gloria Ferrar sparkling wine cellars, and Viansa, which has just been sold and I don't recommend. The town of Sonoma itself is a charming historic town from the Mexican occupation days before California joined the United States and became a state in the 1850's It is built around an 11 acre Plaza, ringed with adobe buildings from the period, now housing boutiques, restaurants, and hotels.
One of the wineries to visit in this area, if you should decide on the Sonoma Valley, is Buena Vista, which is located east of town on Old Winery Road. The winery is a small historic building made of stone, under oak trees. It was to this location that the Hungarian Colonel Agostin Haraszthy brought the first wine grape cuttings from Europe to California, thus starting it all.
Sonoma is known for the excellent restaurants around the Plaza. The General's daughter is in the house which General Mariano Vallejo, the Mexican alcalde, built for his youngest daughter, on his estate, when she was married. This was after California became a state. Other recommended restaurants are The Girl and the Fig, in the Sonoma Hotel, the El Dorado Kitchen, in the El Dorado Hotel across the street, and Cafe La Haye and the restaurant in the Swiss Hotel. This is more old timey Italian but they have a nice patio in the back.
The Sonoma Valley is 18 miles long and has over 44 wineries. It is a beautiful valley of rolling hills and you will find it less congested than the Napa Valley. Other communities here include Glen Ellen and Kenwood.
Glen Ellen has the Benziger Winery, which gives interesting tram tours of its sustainable vineyards. Kunde winery has wine storage caves in the limestone mountain which were carved by the same technology which links England and France, across the "Chuunel"
The Sonoma Valley at that time of year should be absolutely gorgeous with emerald green hills and perhaps fields of California poppies and lupine, if it is not too early.
Now just to confuse you, you should know that the term "Sonoma" also refers, on most of these forums, to Sonoma *County*, which does include the Sonoma Valley but also includes much that is not wine country. Mainly it is along Hwy 101 going north from San Francisco, beginning about in Petaluma, and over to the coast, and as far north as Mendocino.
'Wine country' parts of the county in this area include Windsor, Healdsburg, the Russian River area, and the Alexander Valley.
Some visitors limit their wine experience to this area, but I think they miss the ambiance and history of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys by having to travel on a freeway, etc. Different Strokes.
You probably don't have enough time, but if you opted for the Sonoma Valley you could take a day trip over to the coast, down the Russian River and perhaps stop at Armstrong Grove Redwoods State Park to see the redwood forest, then down the coast 10 miles to the fishing village of Bodega Bay where part of Hitchcock's "The Birds" was filmed, then a loop back to Petaluma, which is on Hwy 101 and then 14 miles to Sonoma.
Do take a half day tour of San Francisco as soon as you arrive so that you have an overview. So many tourists miss the essence of the city because all they see are the most popular sights and venues.
My advice on a hotel is to look at the Union Square area, which is central and where you can get access to all of the kinds of public transportation. Speaking of which DO NOT rent a car until you are ready to leave the city for the wine country. Hotel parking is prohibitively expensive in SF and you do not need a car for sightseeing. It would be a complete hassle. There are several national car rental agencies in the Union Square area.
For recommendations. My favorite hotel in the area is the Donatello, a block from Union Square. My second is the Chancellor, right on Union Square. Look them up. We stay in the city several times a year for theater. The Donatello will be more expensive and more elegant. The Chancellor is more of a boutique hotel and gets almost perfect reviews on Trip Advisor. It has been recently "refreshed" and we are staying there this month. It has an excellent, knowledgeable staff, which is friendly and helpful.
Go to hotelres.com, which is a consolidator for San Francisco hotels. You may get a better rate than going through the hotel itself, but try the hotel websites as well. Hotelres is not like Hotwire, etc. It does not charge upfront with no cancellation (well, unless you choose Xtra Value rates". It just reserves your room and from there you deal with the hotel.
There. Now that you have had all of my completely unbiased opinions :=) I wish you the happiest and most successful 25th anniversary.
The Napa and Sonoma Valleys run parallel and are adjacent to each other with (small) mountains separating them.
The drive from the Golden Gate Bridge to either the town of Napa or the town of Sonoma is about an hour. The Napa Valley is 27 miles long and essentialy ends, for wine purposes, in Calistoga. The main road through the valley is Hwy 29, but parallel to it just a couple of miles away is the Silverado Trail. There are wineries along both.
The town of Napa is just that, and except for some interesting restaurants and some newer tourist development along the river, and the Copia Center (food and wine. Julia Child was involved when she was alive.)...well, except for that the wine activity is further up the valley, with wineries spread out among the communities of Yountville, Oakwood, Rutherford, St. Helena, and, finally, Calistoga.
There are some notable restaurants in the Napa area. The most noted require reservations sometimes months ahead.
The Sonoma Valley wineries begin in the valley before you come to the town of Sonoma, for example, the Gloria Ferrar sparkling wine cellars, and Viansa, which has just been sold and I don't recommend. The town of Sonoma itself is a charming historic town from the Mexican occupation days before California joined the United States and became a state in the 1850's It is built around an 11 acre Plaza, ringed with adobe buildings from the period, now housing boutiques, restaurants, and hotels.
One of the wineries to visit in this area, if you should decide on the Sonoma Valley, is Buena Vista, which is located east of town on Old Winery Road. The winery is a small historic building made of stone, under oak trees. It was to this location that the Hungarian Colonel Agostin Haraszthy brought the first wine grape cuttings from Europe to California, thus starting it all.
Sonoma is known for the excellent restaurants around the Plaza. The General's daughter is in the house which General Mariano Vallejo, the Mexican alcalde, built for his youngest daughter, on his estate, when she was married. This was after California became a state. Other recommended restaurants are The Girl and the Fig, in the Sonoma Hotel, the El Dorado Kitchen, in the El Dorado Hotel across the street, and Cafe La Haye and the restaurant in the Swiss Hotel. This is more old timey Italian but they have a nice patio in the back.
The Sonoma Valley is 18 miles long and has over 44 wineries. It is a beautiful valley of rolling hills and you will find it less congested than the Napa Valley. Other communities here include Glen Ellen and Kenwood.
Glen Ellen has the Benziger Winery, which gives interesting tram tours of its sustainable vineyards. Kunde winery has wine storage caves in the limestone mountain which were carved by the same technology which links England and France, across the "Chuunel"
The Sonoma Valley at that time of year should be absolutely gorgeous with emerald green hills and perhaps fields of California poppies and lupine, if it is not too early.
Now just to confuse you, you should know that the term "Sonoma" also refers, on most of these forums, to Sonoma *County*, which does include the Sonoma Valley but also includes much that is not wine country. Mainly it is along Hwy 101 going north from San Francisco, beginning about in Petaluma, and over to the coast, and as far north as Mendocino.
'Wine country' parts of the county in this area include Windsor, Healdsburg, the Russian River area, and the Alexander Valley.
Some visitors limit their wine experience to this area, but I think they miss the ambiance and history of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys by having to travel on a freeway, etc. Different Strokes.
You probably don't have enough time, but if you opted for the Sonoma Valley you could take a day trip over to the coast, down the Russian River and perhaps stop at Armstrong Grove Redwoods State Park to see the redwood forest, then down the coast 10 miles to the fishing village of Bodega Bay where part of Hitchcock's "The Birds" was filmed, then a loop back to Petaluma, which is on Hwy 101 and then 14 miles to Sonoma.
Do take a half day tour of San Francisco as soon as you arrive so that you have an overview. So many tourists miss the essence of the city because all they see are the most popular sights and venues.
My advice on a hotel is to look at the Union Square area, which is central and where you can get access to all of the kinds of public transportation. Speaking of which DO NOT rent a car until you are ready to leave the city for the wine country. Hotel parking is prohibitively expensive in SF and you do not need a car for sightseeing. It would be a complete hassle. There are several national car rental agencies in the Union Square area.
For recommendations. My favorite hotel in the area is the Donatello, a block from Union Square. My second is the Chancellor, right on Union Square. Look them up. We stay in the city several times a year for theater. The Donatello will be more expensive and more elegant. The Chancellor is more of a boutique hotel and gets almost perfect reviews on Trip Advisor. It has been recently "refreshed" and we are staying there this month. It has an excellent, knowledgeable staff, which is friendly and helpful.
Go to hotelres.com, which is a consolidator for San Francisco hotels. You may get a better rate than going through the hotel itself, but try the hotel websites as well. Hotelres is not like Hotwire, etc. It does not charge upfront with no cancellation (well, unless you choose Xtra Value rates". It just reserves your room and from there you deal with the hotel.
There. Now that you have had all of my completely unbiased opinions :=) I wish you the happiest and most successful 25th anniversary.
Jan 15th, 2008 | 08:10 AM
#5
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
dear normal1983,
Pay heed to jtrandolphs's very comprehensive response. I second the idea of a loop trip that includes both the Sonoma coast and the Russian River wine zone. I also second the Donatello, which I think is a consistently under-rated hotel.
Pay heed to jtrandolphs's very comprehensive response. I second the idea of a loop trip that includes both the Sonoma coast and the Russian River wine zone. I also second the Donatello, which I think is a consistently under-rated hotel.
Jan 15th, 2008 | 01:20 PM
#6
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
Yes, parking is free at the Lombard Street Hotels. I just would rather be in the Union Square area where I csn walk to Chinatown, North Beach, the Embarcadero, MOMA, etc. rather than get on a bus.
But, I forgot. If you use hotelres.com click on "packages". We have not paid for parking in the downtown area because we almost always can get a "parking and breakfast" package at a very reasonable rate. The Donatello often has these, as does the Chancellor.
But, I forgot. If you use hotelres.com click on "packages". We have not paid for parking in the downtown area because we almost always can get a "parking and breakfast" package at a very reasonable rate. The Donatello often has these, as does the Chancellor.
Jan 15th, 2008 | 09:45 PM
#7
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 121
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City Guides does free walking tours of different neighborhoods in SF. You can also do a do-it-yourself Barbary Coast walking tour of historic spots in SF. You can find this info on line. It's a great way to learn about some of the cool history in San Francisco.
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Jan 16th, 2008 | 11:00 AM
#8
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 335
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I love all of this wonderful information! Just to give a few more details...we will be arriving late on 2/28 so basically we will just be ckg into the hotel (the Chancellor-got a great rate of $114 a night!) and going to sleep. The next day I think would be good for the half day tour of the city and Alcatraz. My husband really wants to see that. I am assuming that we will have time to see Fisherman's Wharf after that since as I understand it doesn't take much time. I would love to eat either in little Italy or Chinatown for dinner. Any recommendations?
The next day 3/1 we will ck out of the hotel, perhaps do something ? before renting our car and heading out to Napa or Sonoma. Sonoma sounds really nice and we might choose that route. I would like to spend the night there but don't know any hotels. Any advice?
The trip down the coast sounds lovely and we would love to see the redwoods. We had considered a trip to Yosemite but that will take too much time. The trip to Armstrong Groves sounds like a good alternative.
Checking out of whatever hotel we find in Sonoma on 3/2. Friends have advised us to go to Monterey and Big Sur since my husband used to surf decades ago and he might like to see the big waves. We've never seen the Pacific but have heard that it is so very different from the Atlantic where we live. If we choose to do that then we will have to find a place to stay in that area. Suggestions?
We would ck out on 3/3. Now we don't fly out of San Francisco til 3/5 so we have all of 3/3 and 3/4 to do something although we do have to return to San Francisco on 3/4 to turn in our rental and relax a bit before catching our flight the next day.
These dates are very flexible. We can stay longer in one place or another or go somewhere new altogether along the way. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we should spend more time?
The next day 3/1 we will ck out of the hotel, perhaps do something ? before renting our car and heading out to Napa or Sonoma. Sonoma sounds really nice and we might choose that route. I would like to spend the night there but don't know any hotels. Any advice?
The trip down the coast sounds lovely and we would love to see the redwoods. We had considered a trip to Yosemite but that will take too much time. The trip to Armstrong Groves sounds like a good alternative.
Checking out of whatever hotel we find in Sonoma on 3/2. Friends have advised us to go to Monterey and Big Sur since my husband used to surf decades ago and he might like to see the big waves. We've never seen the Pacific but have heard that it is so very different from the Atlantic where we live. If we choose to do that then we will have to find a place to stay in that area. Suggestions?
We would ck out on 3/3. Now we don't fly out of San Francisco til 3/5 so we have all of 3/3 and 3/4 to do something although we do have to return to San Francisco on 3/4 to turn in our rental and relax a bit before catching our flight the next day.
These dates are very flexible. We can stay longer in one place or another or go somewhere new altogether along the way. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where we should spend more time?
Jan 16th, 2008 | 12:45 PM
#9
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,518
Likes: 0
I think you're trying to do way too much in way to little time.
Let's see:
2/28 Arrive
2/29 Alctraz, Wharf, city tour
3/1 Sonoma, coast, Armstrong Grove
3/2 Drive down coast to Monterey
3/3 leave Monterey for SF
3/4 SF
3/5 head home.
That's a ridiculous schedule - if I can be blunt.
Just visit SF , Sonoma, and the Sonoma Co/Marin Co coast - and that's all. The trip to Monterey is not a good idea. You'll see plenty of beautiful coast - and probably more big waves - if you just visit the Sonoma & Marin Coast.
I have posted a scnic drive north from SF, along the coast, and over to Healdsburg on this forum a few times. Click on my name & try to find it & then follow that route - it's extremly scenic. It could be a 1 or 2 day trip.
Here is what I would do
2/28 arrive
2/29 general tour of SF, Alctraz
3/1 SF
3/2 SF
3/3 head north along coast, Pt Reyes, Russian river, Armstrong grove, stay in Healdsburg (which I prefer over Sonoma)
3/4 visit Napa Valley, back to SF
3/5 fly home
Stu Dudley
Let's see:
2/28 Arrive
2/29 Alctraz, Wharf, city tour
3/1 Sonoma, coast, Armstrong Grove
3/2 Drive down coast to Monterey
3/3 leave Monterey for SF
3/4 SF
3/5 head home.
That's a ridiculous schedule - if I can be blunt.
Just visit SF , Sonoma, and the Sonoma Co/Marin Co coast - and that's all. The trip to Monterey is not a good idea. You'll see plenty of beautiful coast - and probably more big waves - if you just visit the Sonoma & Marin Coast.
I have posted a scnic drive north from SF, along the coast, and over to Healdsburg on this forum a few times. Click on my name & try to find it & then follow that route - it's extremly scenic. It could be a 1 or 2 day trip.
Here is what I would do
2/28 arrive
2/29 general tour of SF, Alctraz
3/1 SF
3/2 SF
3/3 head north along coast, Pt Reyes, Russian river, Armstrong grove, stay in Healdsburg (which I prefer over Sonoma)
3/4 visit Napa Valley, back to SF
3/5 fly home
Stu Dudley
Jan 16th, 2008 | 01:58 PM
#10
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 335
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Thank you for the advice. I was afraid I was doing too much but since I didn't know the area I wasn't sure. I'll research your suggestion and try to find some place to stay. I think half the fun of any trip is in the planning! I learn so much!
Mar 20th, 2008 | 03:22 PM
#11
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 335
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Short trip report:
Well the anniversary trip is over and it was a success! We had a wonderful time in San Francisco and the highlight of the trip was the 23mile bike ride from the city to Tiburon then back to Sausalito to catch the ferry. The weather was awesome, cool and dry..the people oh so friendly and the city and countryside beautiful! So glad I took my well broken in running shoes since we walked everywhere! Only took the sightsee bus on the last day. I wish we would have had more time to see more. Glad we went and looking forward to returning someday! Will recommend the trip to anyone!
Well the anniversary trip is over and it was a success! We had a wonderful time in San Francisco and the highlight of the trip was the 23mile bike ride from the city to Tiburon then back to Sausalito to catch the ferry. The weather was awesome, cool and dry..the people oh so friendly and the city and countryside beautiful! So glad I took my well broken in running shoes since we walked everywhere! Only took the sightsee bus on the last day. I wish we would have had more time to see more. Glad we went and looking forward to returning someday! Will recommend the trip to anyone!
