Hi. We land around noon and can't check into rental until 4. Can you please suggest a good drive and place to stop for lunch? We will be in Glen Ellen for 5 nights. Our plan is to do 2 days of wineries in Sonoma county, 1 in Napa and 1 day at Point Reyes. Thanks all.
We are happy to take side roads over highways and we want to see as much as possible. Is it possible to see the Armstrong redwoods on this first day? How do we do this?

Have you been to Muir Woods before? If not, I'd stop there on the way out of SFO.

I have been. I have read that it is super crowded and parking is difficult.

How about lunch on Union St in San Francisco? I like Rose's Cafe on Union & Steiner.
http://rosescafesf.com/

Walk around Union St after lunch.

Stu Dudley

I would not drive into SF on the way to Glen Ellen. Have a late lunch in Sonoma, or an earlier lunch at the Buckeye Roadhouse: https://www.buckeyeroadhouse.com/ From the airport cross over to I280 and then take 19th Ave. (CA1) to cross SF.

I'd recommend a stop in Sonoma, lunch, a wonder around the center of town....

If you like craft beer, Lagunitas is in Petaluma and has great beer, decent food (even nachos are better in California, fsr) and a nice beer garden. We usually stop there on our way from SFO.

Skip Muir woods. Do Armstrong woods on another day, not your first day. Why not stop at Ft. Baker for lunch. Its just on the north side of the Golden Gate bridge... an old Army base with a fantastic view of the Bridge and SF sky line. Great restaurant, and lovely bar with snacks that you can eat on their huge veranda.