California trip - Monterey-San Francisco-Napa
 

Planning our frst trip to CA in October for 10 days or less. Is 3 days in each place too long. Any suggestions on sights to see in each would be appreciated or other suggestions of places to visit would be great.

I think 2 days in Napa would be plenty and would add that extra day in San Francisco.

I would plan on going a couple of hours past Monterey. I would go all the way to Hearst Castle. Lots to see between Monterey and Hearst.

It's all up to you. I think there are more things to see/do in San Francisco than Napa - but hanging our in Napa ain't all bad.

And would also agree you venture down to San Simeon/Hearst Castle - one of our favorites - http://www.hearstcastle.org/ as it's only about an hour? past Big Sur, and the Elephant Seal beach a couple miles north of the Herst Castle is also a fun place to pull off and look at those big seals, especially if the Bulls are in, which go well over 5,000 lbs. :)

You could spend the night in Cambria if you liked - or at nearby Moonstone beach - which is spectacular. http://www.cambriachamber.org/motels-beach.php

Napa is very pretty, but the length of time you stay probably depends most on how into wine tasting you are. I personally would stay in San Francisco and take a 1-day Napa or Sonoma day-trip, and I'd add a day to each of San Francisco and to the Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur/Coast. (We go up to Napa regularly because we have friends there, but I haven't been in a winery in probably 30 years).

I would agree with the others - unless you are big wine enthusiasts and prefer that over perhaps the prettiest coastline you're likely to see.


Here are my ideas of things to do:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...mendations.cfm

Stu Dudley

Rather than Napa, consider Sonoma. The twon itself has a nice square with historical buildings, nearby is General Valljo's residence, the Jack London State Historic Park is worth a visit, and just before its entrance, there is Benziger winery. I would go to Sonoma one morning, stay overnight, visit the next day what was not seen the first day and return to SF in the evening.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

ttt

I would try to do both which is very doable in 2 days.
Napa is very tiny - and there is basically one long road from Napa (the city) through the other little wine towns. YOu can see pretty much everything in one or two days.

In Napa you'll be on one main road heading north through the city of Napa, then the smaller cities of YOuntville, St. Helena and Calistoga. (Not in the that order).


Sonoma is larger but (as I recall doesn't have the cute charm that Napa has). However you can easily do both areas, visit lots of winerys and the wonderful restaurants.

If you are into foods/wines you might enjoy Per Se and The French Laundry (both owned by Thomas Keller). However for the French Laundry you'll need reservations several months in advance. We did not eat there but did dine at Per Se and enjoyed it very much.

http://www.frenchlaundry.com/

The town of Sonoma and the town of Healdsburg are both really nice small towns, with town squares with shops and restaurants lining them. And some of the drives in Sonoma are really beautiful, for example, the Dry Creek area (the drive from Healdsburg to Occidental).

>>In Napa you'll be on one main road heading north through the city of Napa, then the smaller cities of YOuntville, St. Helena and Calistoga. (Not in the that order).<,

They ARE in "that" order.

Also there's the Silverado Trail - paralleling 28/129 (St Helena/Calistoga, etc) to the east. Two main roads through the Napa Valley.

Isn't Per Se in NYC??

Personally, I think the towns in Sonoma County are more "charming" than the ones in the Napa Valley. Healdsburg is our favorite in the Wine Country.

Stu Dudley