3 days in Northern Cal. Any Advise?
 

I will be flying into Oak on Sept 11th from the east coast, and staying @ a little hotel in San Rafel, CA. I have a half day on Wednesday and full days on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to play. I am looking for ideas. So far I plan to visit -Golden Gate Park, Alcatraz, SFMOMA, Napa Valley and Chinatown. 3 days is not a lot of time but it feels like I could get in 1 or 2 more sites. I am up for anything, and I definitely need nightlife advice, Jazz clubs, poetry, etc… I have only been one time before and I wasted a week hanging around Union Square, and Pier 39. Thanks in advance for any help.

Napa is very warm this time of year, so if you don't want the heat, skip this area. Napa will take up one of your full days. <BR><BR>You can combine a visit to the Golden Gate Park, followed by a walking tour and dinner in Chinatown.

Because of your limited and the sites/areas you have already decided on, it doesn't make sense to go to Tahoe or down to Monterey. <BR><BR>San Rafael is a great base for all the places you list plus you could easily also get to Muir Woods, Bodega Bay, Tomales, the Sonoma Coast, thr Russian River or Angel Island.<BR><BR>Instead of making specific plans - wait to see what the weather is like. If the fog lifts and it is nice head west to Bodega and up to Muir Woods. <BR><BR>Another GREAT fair day trip is to take the State launch from Tiburon to Angel Island. It is the most fascinating place in the Bay - the best views of the City, miles of trails, Civil War bldgs, etc, etc.

I'd visit Sausalito, too.

First, thanks for the feedback. I stumbled on the Yerba Buena Gardens festival that will be taking place while I am in town. I think my limited time will keep me away from some of the longer drives, but I think I am adding Stinson Beach to the list and there will be Jazz at the Yerba Festival. This my sound kind of boring but I will likely end up at the Sony Metreon late night to check out a movie. I have not been able to find anything else late night. Over all I think it will be better then my last trip.

Check out the Club Fugazi and try to score tickets to Beach Blanket Babylon. You won't be sorry.

If you have time, the Russian River area is absolutely beautiful too.