We will be in SanFrancisco in March for the first time. Someone suggested that if we want to visit Alcatraz we should book ahead so we are planning to do, maybe combining this with a city tour on our first day to find our way around. We haven't decided between a regular city tour or hopon hopoff.

An associate of mine who lives in California suggested that we book a tour through Napa for winetasting, better than driving he said.
We are not generally big tour people and are planning to rent a car so what do you think...is the tour a better idea or should be drive on our own?

We have an entire week there with a car everyday. We have parking included at our hotel so that is not a problem but like to have a fair wee nip of wine so don't want to drive all the time. Your feedback would be wonderful.

If one of you donot mind to NOT drink in the Napa area, rent a car.That way you dnot have to stay at just 1 winery, but visit 2 or more.
Police knows of course about wine-tastings.. so be aware.
Most tastings are not free, you have to pay a certain amount for those tastings. It really depends what winery, how many wines etc.
So check various websites before you make the decision.

Since you have a car, I recommend that you do the 49 mile drive. http://www.theinsider.com/SF/Attract...9miledrive.htm Be sure to print out a map because some of the signs seem to be missing. It will give you a great overview of SF and take you to some of the best view points. Also, with a car you can drive across the GG bridge to the Marin Headlands (Take the Sausalito exit then turn left and go under the highway and up the hill) where there are extraordinary views. If you do these, you don't need to take a formal tour of the City.

For your wine country visit I recommend the Sonoma County wineries, rather than Napa. Check out www.wineroad.com The wineries are less corporate, less crowded and you'll seldom run into tasting fees. Pick one or two of the smaller wineries and you may end up chatting with the wine maker while tasting. Have a designated driver.

Yes, do book Alcatraz in advance. Also, try to take a ferry to Sausalito for lunch or shopping. It's great to view the City from the water.

I would recommend the evening tour of alcatraz. The sunset over the golden gate bridge at alcatraz is breath taking. Not to mention the view of the city at night. Cross your fingers there's no fog during that day. You can even walk across the Golden gate bridge.

I agree with everyone else. We took a car to the wine country from San Franciso and rather enjoyed the drive. We also spent one night in Napa which was nice after visiting the winery. I like you prefer to do tours on my own. The only tour I might consider is something I saw advertised in San Francisco called the wine train. I believe the train goes to a winery and then you have a nice meal on the train. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong about this, anyone.

The Wine Train is out of Napa. I have never gone on it as I have known several people that have and not one of them were overenthused about it. I think the time is better spent going on your own. Just my thinking from all the feed back I have heard over the years.

Dear Sprig,
Like you, I am not a fan of tours generally. And like anywhere else in the tourist world, Napa and Sonoma (Napa esp.) have some really mediocre tours. That being said, I have had oenophile friends speak highly about some of the smaller van tours which hit the lesser-known wineries along the Russian River and the back roads of Napa county. These would be worth checking into. You could really indulge and not have to worry about driving on the twisty two-lane roads afterward. FYI, the Highway Patrol is really on the look out these days - especially for inebriated speeders on the Silverado Trail.

"but like to have a fair wee nip of wine so don't want to drive all the time" - just ask for "to go" bag

why not just have a glass of different wine each time with dinner? "We" is at least 2, so here you go - try 2 different wines each dinner!

Get some good regional maps of the Napa/ Sonoma area and you should be set. That was smart to get parking included with your rate. Parking in the city can be $30.- plus per 24 hr. period. You can probably find winery map info on line (another poster gave a website for Sonoma). Keep in mind it's about an hours drive into that region (avoid commute times).