Celebrating our 10th anniversary...here's our plan (trip is in early August 2005):

-fly in to sfo, 1.5 days in san fran
-2.5 days in napa/sonoma area--go to some wineries, do some biking/hiking---
winery suggestions?
trail suggestions?
bike rental suggestions?

-3.5 days going to mendocino coast and then back to sfo---where should we stop each night?
and, any good day spas you can recommend---ones with natural hot springs and the like?

-1.5 days in SFO

Throughout the trip, we are looking for good day hikes (1-4 hours).

Also, we're planning to sleep in a rented SUV--anyone have any experience doing this? Is it true that all back seats in SUV's fold down (making an ideal flat sleeping surface)?

Thx.

It's only a couple of hours from the Napa valley to Mendocino. In each location find yourself a centralized place and take your tours from there. Hendy Woods State Park has sleeping cabins for rent. That might be better than renting a SUV. At any rate, make sure you have campsite reservations.

Vichy Springs just outside of Ukiah is a hot springs place with a very good reputation. Orr Hot Springs on the road between Ukiah and Mendocino (very narrow 2 and sometimes 1 lane road) is a funkier option. If you are driving this way, stop at Maillard Redwoods. A short walk will get you to a grove containing the world's tallest trees. Hendy Woods and the Anderson Valley are also beautiful destinations.

If you are staying in Mendocino, take a couple of hours to drive north towards Rockport and Westport - much more remote and wild in feeling.

Oh, you'll have a wonderful time! In Sonoma, you'll enjoy Matanzas Creek Winery and Hartford Court Winery. And the little town of Healdsburg offers many wonderful little places to eat - Ravenous is one of my favoirites for lunch or dinner (the crab cakes are amazing). Hiking in Mount Tam in Marin County is a treat - the view of San Francisco is stunning. There is a great mountain bike trail there too. We also bike and hike in Annedel State Park in Sonoma County. Congrats on your anniversary!

one more question--what's the weather like in august in mendo. coast area? does it rain usually, or could we count on a 'dry' camping experience? also, what kinds of wildlife are there in the woods where we might be camping--bears, etc?

R

Rain in August is pretty rare--
However, there is often fog AM that returns in evening..If a wind comes up it can get chilly--
Not to worry---you have your love to keep you warm