We are going to San Francisco in mid March. We have been several times before. Since we have found it best to use public transportation while there, we usually take a day and rent a car and do some type of day trip. Any ideas on something that is maybe a bit out of the ordinary?

Hi don, not knowing what you have done in the past and what your interests are that is rather a hard question to answer. Do you have anything in mind especially? More information (past ventures), what you enjoy etc. would no doubt get you some good ideas here. Also, about how far either miles or time wise would you want to travel for this day trip. SF and the SF BayArea usually have high traffic so a lot of places take longer to get to than one would anticipate.

We rented a car and drove to Muir Woods. But it would help to know what your interests are. Have a wonderful trip -- we love San Francisco!

I lived in SF for years, and I never did the Jellybelly tour in Fairfield. I plan to do this soon, but then, I have little kids. I agree with the poster who said you should give a better idea of interests. Have you considered Sonoma or Napa? Monterey?

The Point Reyes, Bodega Bay area, just north of San Francisco is a beautiful trip.

sfamylou, I too thought of the JellyBelly Factory as I live just north of it. I had friends here over Thanksgiving weekend and they did that tour and loved it. No children involved. The JellyBelly Factory does not have their employees working on the weekend so weekdays are a better time to go.

But again since Don may not have any interest in that I didn't mention it. Just up I-80 from the JellyBelly Factory are the Vacaville Outlet stores which a lot of people love to visit. Their are some wineries and a good restaurant in Suisun Valley (Vintage Cafe) but again without knowing Don's interest it is hard to make any suggestions. Don, hope you post back.

I have a dear friend in Berkeley. Last time I visited her we drove to Point Reyes and hiked about...saw seals and elephant seals...were told we just missed a pod of whales. Had a great meal at the Station House Cafe in Point Reyes Station...local oysters. I think it would be a good day trip option for you.

I'm sorry that I wasn't more specific about interest and the such, but I was looking for some new ideas that might appeal to us. I thought that we may get some good ideas from what interest other people. In past trips, we have visited other areas besides our actual stay in the city. We have been in pretty much all directions from the city: south throught Big Sur, Monterey, and Carmel, north to Muir Woods, wine country and up to Mendincino, and east to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. This time, we are staying inside the city for the whole period and thought we would just rent a car for a daytrip. Our interest are pretty general, we enjoy everything from the touristy stuff to just enjoying the beauty of the west coast. We already have scheduled a trip up through the wine country on the train, and have purchased a city pass for stuff within the city. I thought that a whale watching cruise might be enjoyable, but have only found cruises on the weekends. We are arriving on a Sunday around noon and leaving about that same time on the following Saturday. The wine train is on Friday, which takes up most of that day, leaving us only Monday through Thursday. Where is Fairfield? Anything else of interest to do in that area? How about San Jose? It has been over 20 years since I last visited there. I'm sure that it's a lot different now than back then.

If it were me -- and the weather wasn't dreadful -- I'd take the ferry to Tiburon and from there the short hop over to Angel Island. there is enough to see/do on the island to fill most of a day an the views back towards the Goldengate and SF are probably the best in the whole Bay area.

Civil War sites, the west coast version of Ellis Island, WWI/WWII batteries, Victorian houses, lots of deer and other wildlife, and a round-island trail that offers views of the whole Bay/East Bay/SF. Just a terrific day out. And when you go back to Tiburon before taking the ferry back to SF you can have some of the best Margaritas everywhere, sitting on a deck next to the ferry pier.

It's been years since I did it, but I used to love to go into Benicia, which is north of the city off 780. There was a wonderful downtown area, not big, but old-fashioned. And then closer to the water, there were two great glass-blowing studios. We bought a lot of that gold-rimmed Annieglass there, much cheaper than you saw at Gump's or Barney's. It was the first state capitol, and it was a quirky little place we'd go outside of the city. Reading all this has made me want to go into Berkeley again too. I miss Telegraph, and Cody's books, and the shops on 4th Street. I heard there is a Cody's in SF now. I moved only five years ago, but things change so fast.

Hi don, Fairfield is east on I-80..you go over the SF Bay Bridge, go east on I-80 and over the Carquinez Bridge. Pass Vallejo and the next city is Fairfield. Suisun Valley is on the left (west). To go to Benicia after you cross the Carquinez Bridge you turn east (right) on 780 which will bring you into Benicia. Take the East Second turn off. Until recently I lived in Benicia for 30 years. Never thought about it as a place to visit, LOL, but not a bad idea at all. And tourist do go to Benicia. An old California town. First Street has lots of antique shops, some restaurants and is considered an artsy town. First Street takes you down the middle of town to the Carquinez Straight. The Benicia Chamber of Commerce is on First St., you could pop in there and pick up all kinds of info. Not a bad idea (nothing like living somewhere for thirty years and not think of it as a tourist destination). I would personally prefer Benicia over Fairfield, the JellyBelly Factory etc.

Janisj thoughts about Angel Island is very good also..assuming that you do not have real cold and or rainy weather. That could be a beautiful day. You would not even have to rent a car.

BTW, if it was possible for you to change your Napa Wine Train day to another day other than Friday you could take a Whale Watching Cruise. Please check out www.oceanicsociety.org/pages/wwa.html. They do trips on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in March. Could you change your Napa Wine Train to another day?

Just a few thoughts. Sure hope you have a wonderful trip and enjoy every moment.

This is a fabulous place !!!!
You want different and unexpected ?!?!
I just happen to be a local fan
http://www.safariwest.com/
Questions Welcome !
R5

Have you toured the Winchester House in San Jose. It's a bit touristy, but we had a blast!

PLEASE don't go to fairfield, it's a collection of the same stores and strip malls and auto dealerships as throughout the country! Even with jellybellies doesn't seem worth it. Benicia a great idea. beware rush hour traffic in ALL of bay Area until about 10am in am and from about 3pm in afternoon.

Go north up Hwy 1, up to the top of Mt. Tamalpais (amazing view of the whole Bay area), up past the funky little towns of Stinson Beach, Bolinas, to Point Reyes. Have lunch at the Pine Cone Diner in Point Reyes Station or get sandwiches at the Inverness Store in Inverness. Drive out to the lighthouse or maybe do the walk at Chimney Rock. Come back through Point Reyes, drive up Tomales Bay on Hwy 1, if you are hungry again stop at the Marshall Store in Marshall for bbq (or raw) oysters. Keep going up Hwy 1 to Tomales, stop for ice cream in this tiny historic town. Take the pretty drive from Tomales through the countryside to Petaluma (beautiful homes, lovely historic downtown) where you can catch the 101 back to SF.

I love the San Fran area! I tried to do the Safari trip, it was sold out. Get tickets in advance.

Have you done Saulsilito? A great trip across the bay!

Hearst Castle was a great visit, although might be a bit far for a drive?

If you are looking for a restaurant recommendation...we always eat once at the Crab House on Pier 39...love it!

If you head out to the East Bay go to Mt. Diablo. Beautiful views up there!

have you been to the Bay Model in Sausalito?
Really cool.
http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc/bmjourney/bmj.html
Go take a tour of my favorite Brewery, Lagunitas, in Petaluma...
http://www.lagunitas.com/contactus/index.html
Visit the Rose Gardens in Berkekey.
Experience Copia in Napa:
http://www.copia.org/pages/home.asp