I am trying to plan a girls weekend for a friend who is getting married. Needs to be driving distance from SF. Thinking wine county but what are other ideas? I never seem to go south. Also, ideas on places to stay? Need a good place to hang out together, maybe by a pool sipping wine? Open to renting a house or staying in a hotel/ resort. Money not huge issue as long as it's not Post Ranch Inn $$. Thanks!

What time of year will it be? Weather could be a factor depending when it is. Going south could be Half Moon Bay, Princeton by the Sea, Santa Cruz, Capitola, Monterey, Pacific Grove or Carmel. If you have interest in any of those, I could make suggestions.
Thanks.

How about Calistoga?

Trip will be in August. Would love suggestions of places to stay.
Thanks!

I just found this website today:
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/index.html
Here's some places I've stayed and liked:
Carmel: Carmel Garden Court and Best Western Bay View Inn.
Monterey: Padre Oaks (small motel, clean and reasonable). Hyatt Del Monte (nice pools).
Pacific Grove: Best Western Monarch Resort.
There's a few. That website looks quite extensive. Also Trip Advisor is good.

Have you considered the Claremont in Berkeley? In August the coast might be cool, but maybe not.

Good suggestion QQQ. Very near SF (20 minutes at most?), and a beautiful setting. Berkeley's a kick and has great dining options too.

Thanks for all the ideas. Everyone voted for the wine country so that is where we will be headed. Now just trying to decied which part!

This link might be of some help: http://www.sonoma.com/thingstodo/spas/featured.html

I'd vote for St. Helena, Calistoga or Sonoma.

I go on an annual girls trip to Sea Ranch - about two and a half hours north of SF on Highway One. There are beautiful houses for rent by a number of rental agencies: Ocean View Properties, Sea Ranch rentals. Places to walk, a pool, sauna, and massages in town at Gualala. Nice to have a whole house to hang out in; you can cook if you want to or go to town for dinner. You can easily get a house for 6-8. Have fun!

Since you have decided on the Wine Country here's a terrific place for wine sipping and pooling-check out their bungalows or rent the house. Of course, you could have alot of fun at their spa as well !http://www.indianspringscalistoga.com/

R5