AR0307

Hi All,

My boyfriend and I both live in California (I live in the Bay Area, he’s down in LA), and he’s coming up to visit this weekend. I’m trying to come up with ideas for things to do or short day trips (well, maybe one or two nights) that won’t cost too much as we’re strapped for cash, but am also trying to be creative because it’s for his birthday. Any and all ideas would be appreciated.

awhsu

how about Russian River in Sonoma? Wine tasting on River Rd and the area are all free (Korbel and Hartford are my favorites- Rabbit Ridge costs $ and isn't even Sonoma)!! (camping on the Russian River was pretty bad, so is the canoeing). Guernville has a Safeway and lots of nice shops. We like the Wildflower Bakery in Freestone on the way home (off Bohemian HWY).

Monterey hotels are pricy, but Seaside/Marina have some cheaper places.

iamq

How about a picnic lunch on the Marina Green/Chrissy Field followed by a walk across the GG Bridge?

If you like wine, take him up to Fogarty Winery on Skyline Blvd above Woodside. Lovely views. Before hand you can take one of the ridge top hikes at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve and get good and thirsty. Afterwards stop in Woodside at Buck's for dinner.

My partner and I just recently went for a drive down the coast on 1 and ended up at Duarte's in Pescadero and had the artichoke soup and ollalieberry pie! Fun and cheap.

Drive down to Esalen at Big Sur and stay the night there.

Hope this helps.

-Bill

bluestar

hmm, maybe...

get a tent cabin at Costanoa
http://www.costanoa.com/

in that general are you could...

take a hike in the Redwoods at Sam McDonald Park
http://www.eparks.net/smc/department...345082,00.html

enjoy a drink & meal at Durates in Pescadero after looking around the dinky town
http://www.duartestavern.com/

hit some state beaches in the area like Pescadero, Pomponio, Gazos Creek Pomponio or San Gregorio

or

visit Año Nuevo
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=523

and the Pigeon Point Lighthouse
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=533

You could poke arund Main St in Half Moon Bay
http://www.halfmoonbaychamber.org/

if you enjoy stately homes and gardens don't miss Filoli
http://www.filoli.org/

if you enjoy superb cars you have to go the the Blackhawk Auto Museum
www.blackhawkauto.org/

drive to the top of Mt. Diablo
http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=517

hit some fabulous wineries without leaving the Bay Area
http://www.wentevineyards.com/
http://www.concannonvineyard.com/

look at the stars
http://www.chabotspace.org/

or take in a favorite band at one of SF's many clubs

http://www.sfgate.com/eguide/

Just some suggestions - there are countless things to do here.

Tara_from_Vegas

What should we pack if we do the same trips? What's the weather like during that time of year in those places? Thanks, hun.

bluestar

Generally (daytime), sweater weather within 2 miles of the immediate coast, mild to warm around the immediate SF Bay and hot (not humid) farther away from the water (Walnut Creek, Danville, Pleasanton, Sonoma, Napa). You never can really predict accurately 100% of the time -- I think it was June 2004 there was a stretch of several days of over 100 in SF proper.

To be safe, do as we locals and always have warm clothing (esp. a light jacket, sweater/sweatshirt and long pants -- or vice versa = shorts, t-shirt, sun hat, sunscreen) available in your day gear.

AR0307

These suggestions are great - thanks to everyone for all the ideas thus far!

J_Correa

I think the suggestions so far are great. Has anybody mentioned Santa Cruz yet? It is about an hour and a half from SF and there are tons of things to do on a budget: wander around downtown, hang out on the beach, check out the surfing museum at the lighthouse, have some clam chowder or burritos for lunch, go down to Capitola Village and wander around, head up into the mountains to check out the redwoods, etc.

kimamom

I would check out the BW Monterey Beach Resort, about five minutes from Monterey. Great place, reasonably priced and located right on the beach. Have fun planning and let us know how it goes! ***kim***

ruinous

Santa Cruz is a good idea, and won't take long to get to. Capitola is fun too - seems like the beach is cleaner but parking is a nightmare! But you can get Pizza My Heart, eat it on the beach and then knock down a few at Margaritaville!

I also like Half Moon Bay - cute (but expensive) shops to browse, easy to get to beaches off Hwy 1, you can horseback ride or take a hike by the ocean. There's a visitors center at Francis beach that can help you ...

Monterey, with Cannery Row, the Aquarium and then that drive by the coast on Ocean View is wonderful! But take a sweater and wear jeans - it is chilly!

I don't know much about it but I have heard that Big Sur is one of the most beautiful places in California - you might want to check that out ...

CaliNurse

Just returned from two nighttrip to Aptos-Captitola . Atayed in Aptos at BW Seacliff Inn, rooms moderrately priced ($120) and include hot sit-down breakfast at the on-site restaurant--but the lovely landscaping is the real highlight of that particular accomodation. We spent lots of time both of in Capitola--great beach town with fun shops., Suggest if you go, make it a weekday, as weekends are far too crowded and thus, less charming and relaxed.

CaliNurse

uh oh, just reread your post, sorry i missed that BF is here on a weekend. It will be more crowded anywhere then, of course, but i don't mean to put you off going. Just be prepared to encounter crowds, even in a "laid-back" place like Capitola, BTW, that's is an easy day-trip, no need to stay overnight if it's out of your budget.

MaxwellSmart

A person could spend a few hours between Ghirardelli, Pier 39, Bush Man, and the Fire-Juggling Street Performers in SF.

http://www.sanfranciscocitytourist.c...sco-hotel.html