California: San Francisco + Napa Birthday Trip
 

My husband and I are planning a last minute trip for my 40th birthday. We live in Toronto and will either fly into LA or San Francisco and have 8 nights at the end of this month. We plan to rent a car for the drive. I would love some info and recommendations for our trip. Thank you in advance. Some questions:

1. Do we have time for a couple nights in San Francisco, Napa and LA? Or is that too much for this trip having only 8 nights? How many nights would you need in San Francisco?

2. If so, our preference is to stay in San Francisco and then Napa to tour some wineries. We are looking for hotel recommendations for both. We prefer mid-range hotels and preferable with a gym and glass shower.

3. Neither of us have been to Napa so just wondering if there are other things to do there or just the wineries? We would also love if we have time to spend a couple hours at a pool if the weather allows.

4. I am vegan so any restaurants for those areas to try would be wonderful.

5. Lastly, any other info, things to do or things to consider would be very appreciative.

Thank you again.

There are several wine regions in California. http://www.discovercaliforniawines.c...ery-directory/
Napa and the North coast is most famous.
You can visit the Napa area as a day trip from San Francisco.
You didn't mention whether you wanted to drive the coastal route or I-5 to get to LA.
Another option would be to take the Coast Starlight train south from Emeryville to Santa Barbara or Los Angeles.
It arrives in Santa Barbara about 6PM and Los Angeles about 9PM.
The next day you can rent the car to see what yo can of LA.

When is the trip? It's not pool weather yet, but Napa is certainly warm/hot in the summer.

Trip is the end of April. I would concentrate on N California and forget heading to LA. Plenty to do in SF, Napa/Sonoma, and throw in Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove for 8 days. Heading to LA would be a rushed trip.

Perhaps look for info here to give you some ideas and do a little more research and come back with more specific questions.

Agree with MichelleY

Things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

8 nights is just about right for SF, Napa or Sonoma (Sonoma would be my preference), and either a bit of the north coast or Carmel/Monterey. It won't be pool weather anywhere (even in SoCal)

>>4. I am vegan so any restaurants for those areas to try would be wonderful. <<

This is the land of 'Fruits and Nuts' :) you won't have any trouble finding vegan offerings - even in many carnivore-centric establishments.

I agree, stick to SF, Napa and maybe Monterey/Carmel area, forget the suggestion to take the Coast StarLATE, Tom wants to put everyone on a train.

Thank you for the input and suggestions.
How many nights would be ideal in San Francisco?
Any hotel recommendations for San Francisco?
I'm going to talk to my husband about sticking to SF and Napa.
I like the idea of Napa or Sonoma (is there one that is very different or just all wineries?)
Then maybe Monterey/Carmel. For an 8 night trip, how many places should we stay in or are they all day trips from SF?
Thanks again for the help!

The problem with day trips is the traffic - the fourth worst commute traffic in the US.

I would never do Carmel, Monterey, Pt Lobos, Pacific Grove, Spanish Bay, northern Big Sur as a day trip. Two nights is actually just scratching the surface. Plus, if you visit on a work day it is a big effort to dodge the commute traffic.

If you stay in a motel on Lombard St in San Francisco, day trips to both the Napa Valley (centered around St Helena) and also Sonoma Co (centered around Healdsburg) are quite easy, and you would be doing a reverse commute. We do it quite often, and we live 30-45 mins south of the Golden Gate Bridge. See the link I provided for more details.

Stu Dudley

<i>How many nights would be ideal in San Francisco?</i>

Maybe 4? And then 2 in Napa/Sonoma and 2 in Monterrey, or double-down on wine and do 2 in Napa and 2 in Sonoma.

<i>Any hotel recommendations for San Francisco?</i>

It really depends upon the pricing. If you like "mid-range", most of the major chains are in and around Union Square and should be fine, if not luxurious.

<i>I like the idea of Napa or Sonoma (is there one that is very different or just all wineries?)</i>

Napa is more picturesque, or more focused on tourism, depending upon your perspective. Sonoma is a bit bigger area-wise and more densely populated. Napa is better for Bordeaux varietals, Sonoma better for Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. Fine dining options in Napa are significantly better than in Sonoma.