JES28

Later this month I'm flying in on a Saturday a little before noon and getting a rental car. I have to be back in SF the following morning by 11am so I don't have a lot of time. I do this trip every year and normally go to Napa for the afternoon and evening and drive back in time for my morning meetings. While this doesn't seem like a lot of time, it's just enough to see some beautiful scenery, stop at a few vineyards and have a nice dinner.
This year I was thinking of doing something different. Any recommendations of places to go just for the day/evening (or overnight)?
There are SO many great places in the area I was hoping to hear a few favorites within an hour and half from SF airport.
I was considering:
Half Moon Bay (beautiful at sunset...recommendations on what to do before then)?
Muir Woods & Stinson Beach
Heading back out to Napa for my usual trip (never a bad option!)
or somewhere I haven't thought of or don't know about...??
Thanks for any advice!!

tomfuller

If you want to go south from SFO, you can stay at the Point Montera Lighthouse HI Hostel. http://www.norcalhostels.org/montara Another 25 miles south is the Pigeon Point HI Hostel.

StuDudley

Obvious choice is Carmel. 1 3/4 hrs from SFO. Visit Pt Lobos while there.

Stu Dudley

SAB

Ditto Carmel and Point Lobos.

JES28

Thank you for some great responses
Tom - I will check these out!
Stu & SAB, I absolutely LOVE Carmel and it was my first thought too, but I was concerned that if I hit traffic it would be a little too far for my limited time and too much freeway time (and if I took the scenic route it would be 2 1/2 hrs). Unless you have a route you can suggest that would break that up?

StuDudley

You won't hit much traffic on Saturday and especially on Sunday morning. Take 280 from SFO. It is VERY scenic - in fact 280 is designated a "scenic highway". Do not take 101 from SFO - it is quite ugly. Near San Jose you can take 17 or 101 to the Monterey/Carmel area. I live about 5 mins south of SFO (for 35 years) and it is a 1 3/4 hr drive to Ocean Ave in Carmel. 2 1/4 hrs from Carmel to San Francisco.

Stu Dudley

MichelleY

Nick's Cove at Tomales Bay. Or Bodega Bay.

StuDudley

Michelle

Have you visited Nick's Cove recently? It got some pretty bad reviews 1 1/2 years ago from Michael Bauer in the Chron.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog...rth-the-drive/

http://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/ar...ip-4540489.php

Stu Dudley

SAB

I've made SFO from Carmel in under 1 3/4 hours in good traffic going 1, 156, 101, 85 280. None of the route is typical freeway (except 85). As Stu posted 280 is pretty scenic for a highway as is 156.

JES28

Sounds good!
If I decide I want to just make a day/evening trip out of it and come back to SF for my overnight, where would you suggest?

MichelleY

Stu - I was at Nick's Cove about a year ago. The food is fine. I mentioned it not so much for the food, but the atmosphere and location. Kind of off the beaten path. No bars on my phone.

starrs

I would spend the night in Carmel. I'd driven through Carmel for years and stopped for an hour or so to walk around and/or for dinner - but I didn't fall in love with Carmel until I stayed overnight in town. I liked it so much I changed my road trip plan to stay longer.
http://www.cypress-inn.com/carmel-hotel-about.html

sunbum1944

Instead of Napa check out Sonoma. There are many wineries to try- and I like it better than Napa.
The town of Healdsburg is very charming with many shops, restaurants and tasting rooms- I was just there over Thanksgiving and really enjoyed.
One winery I really enjoyed was Imagery in Glen Allen-

There is much to see and do in the area.

Also love Monterey and Carmel- or check out the little town of Capitola which is close to Santa Cruz.

StuDudley

>>Glen Allen

SAB

If you are going to do Carmel as an afternoon/evening trip and return to SF the same day (I have done this a few times myself actually but usually leaving SF in the morning), I would drive down Ocean Ave to Carmel Beach, drive around Scenic Drive to Carmel River Beach, and then go to Point Lobos for even a short visit. I would then have dinner in Carmel at La Bicylette, Grasings, Christopher's, Cantinetta Luca, or Mundaka.

A disclaimer: when I drive down for the day it is to visit family and have lunch or dinner. I don't do much additional driving when I am there, so the drive back and forth is not an issue.

JES28

Thanks SAB, these are some great suggestions. I just found out I may be able to get to my morning a little later than I originally thought which means an overnight is more do-able.
Sunbum, I hear that people prefer Sonoma to Napa all the time. I have been to both but have my favorite spots in Napa which is why I usually head there. I feel like I don't know Sonoma as well and would love to hear some of your favorite spots there that help make it your preference. Are there particular Wineries or restaurants with vistas/ views you can recommend?