Fun and memorable ideas for 50th Bday trip SF/Sonoma Valley!!!!
 

Are you knowledgeable about San Francisco and Sonoma Valley? I would love to hear what you recommend!!

I am traveling from South Florida to California for my 50th -- and bringing my wonderful husband along with me! He's a good guy and he really deserves it. We look forward to first staying in Sonoma, biking and visiting wineries and farms. We then plan to drive to SF, stay in the Union Square area and see a show, take in a sports event (baseball/football) and visit museums and shops. Total trip is one week in early October. What will the weather be like and what clothes should we bring??

It seems my far-traveled friends on the Fodors sight can guide me well. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear of them. Yayy!! Thank you-thank you and thank you again! (Yes -- we are excited)

The De Young Museum will be having a show of post Impressionist painting at that time; pictures on loan from the Musee D'Orsay as they renovate -- Van Gogh, Cezanne & more. Believe SF only stop in US. You will need tickets. There are many fancy restaurants in the wine country, but don't miss the wonderful little Italian place off the square in Sonoma where the locals eat: Della Santini's. Also love Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena (more upscale but still wine country casual -- that is well, but not formally, dressed). Weather should be really lovely -- best month by far. Nonetheless SF will be much cooler than Sonoma & there is always the chance of fog -- those sweat shirt sellers are millionaires for a reason! Should be a great trip & HB in advance.

I don't know your budget, but for a very very special celebratory meal in Healdsburg, Sonoma, I would recommend Cyrus - so incredible that we are going back at the end of this month while we are in the area.

If you go to the exhibit mentioned above at the De Young, you get free same day admission to the Legion of Honor. They have a companion exhibit on Paris that looks very interesting. The LOH also has a very large Rodin collection and there are great views of the city from outside the museum.

Check out the great, free walking tours of SF.

http://www.sfcityguides.org/index.html

Separately, the SF City Hall gives a wonderful free tour - what an amazing building.

A meal on the Healdsburg town square is always a treat. We like Scopa at 109 Plaza Street and Bistro Ralph, next door.

HTTY

We did the Biplane ride and had a ball - great views of the entire Sonoma and Napa valleys - www.vintageaircraft.com

I appreciate the suggestions -- please keep them coming!! Thanks for the excellent tip about the De Young Museum. My husband is interested in dining at French Laundry while we are in wine country. Any thoughts??

The French Laundry is in Napa County, not Sonoma. It is very small and we couldn't get in. Cyrus is being called the French Laundry of Sonoma. I am specifically going back to Healdsburg for one night so that we can eat there. Look up my trip report to SF and Wine Country for a description of our last meal there.

http://www.farmtrails.org/ For visitng farms.

http://www.localharvest.org/search.j...&nm=&zip=95476
For Farmers MArkets

http://www.foursisters.com/ For great places to stay in Sonoma

http://grandsanfrancisco.hyatt.com/h...tels/index.jsp
My rec for SF UNion Square their concierges are wonderful

http://www.forkandbottle.com/secrets_of_wine_country/
this website is good for rec for dining Sonoma: the pincic section Dean & Delkuca or Soakville grocer are great and you should do at least 1 winery picnic: my pic St Jean Winery

Sorry fingers did not work so well: should be Dean and Deluca
or Oakville Grocer

Also wanted to mention, I think the hot air ballons are more romantic.

Take the Chinatown Wok tour in SF. There is a Theater 1/2 of ticket booth right in SF Union Square.

My husband is interested in dining at French Laundry while we are in wine country. Any thoughts??
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That would truly be a memorable experience for a 50th celebration. Make reservations ASAP. They allow reservations two months from the date.

A really good deal we found recently in Union Square is at the lovely restaurant, Farallon.

It has excellent food, and its prices are quite high for dinner. BUT, every day, I think from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., they offer a lovely appetizer and cocktail/wine menu with hugely reduced prices.

We shared two appetizers before our dinner there, but observed other couples who had a couple of appetizers apiece which made a very nice dinner for them.

It is a very stylish restaurant, with excellent service and food.

Weather in October is great and varies a lot from the coast to inland valleys. But I would plan for mild to warm days (70-75) and cool nights (50-60).

California Academy of Sciences was recently renovated and is amazing if you like science and environment exhibits.

The Healdsburg area is my favorite region in Sonoma. Its a little farther north, but well worth it. Take 101N and exit Dry Creek Rd. Go north and stop at the many wineries, visit the Dry Creek store and end your day back in downtown Healdsburg for a romantic dinner at the Dry Creek Kitchen.

Listing and photos of Dry Creek wineries at
http://tastingsonoma.com/regions/dry-creek-valley

For "fun and memorable" go to Santa Rosa (N on 101) where you can visit "Safari West" - a private ranch that has African animals roaming almost free - they do their own jeep tours and more

http://www.safariwest.com/

You didn't say when you are coming, just make sure there is no rain in the forecast!

This information is so helpful! I am well on my way to making reservations and planning our trip!! I am interested in touring a winery where sparkling wine is made. What is a good choice? Can be anywhere in Napa/Sonoma area.

Mumm on the Silverado Trail is a great visit with a beautiful deck & views.

we are going to Napa in August. These tips have been helpful to me, too. We tried for 4 days to get French Laundry reservations. We got on the waiting list after re-dialing for 45 mins every day! They start taking calls at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time. Our hotel concierge managed to get us a reservation !! Cannot wait!!! Keep trying!