Looking for advice on Northern California
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to Northern California in late summer or fall. Possibly starting in San Francisco and making our way to Redwood National Park, including visits to wineries, over about 2 wks.<BR>
<BR>Any suggestions? What are the best airports to fly in/out? And the best time to visit the area?<BR>
<BR>Thanks

Weel Hope you've chosen a good time of year to visit the area. September is especially good. If you want to visit the wine country in Sept you should go during the week as it will be duringf a busy time of year. The northern coast is very nice late summer/ early fall.<BR><BR>My choice of airports is Oakland since you can run into many delays at SFO.

Suuz,<BR>You forget our to mention to Hope our humble little Sacrmento "International" Airport!<BR><BR>She may save some $$$ and she can make a big loop of NoCal. <BR><BR>Maybe even take in the Gold Country (Hwt 49) for fall colors or hit Tahoe for summer fun?<BR>Just a thought.<BR>Kal

ooops..."Hwy 49" not heavetweight 49?

Oh Kal I got sidetracked by Hope's mention of San Francisco. Natch I'd want to spend my time in Lake Tahoe in Sept. Always beautiful. But Hope wants to do the Redwood National Park, SF and Wine. Rather than send her to SMF only to face 80 going west I sent her to OAK with a quick jaunt over the Bay bridge or east to Wine country.<BR><BR>I see Hope's got 2 weeks. Guess I should read better. Well Hope how about it? Kal says try Tahoe. I second it!!!!

Which airport you fly into depends on what specific areas of California you will be focusing on. Sacramento International is a good choice if you will be spening any time in the Captiol City as well as the Sierra Mountains/Gold Country. From there you an take a side trip to Napa and Sonoma. IF you would like to focus your trip closer to the Central Coast (Montery/Carmel), then San Jose International Airport would be a better choice. San Jose is centrally located between Monterey/Carmel and the Napa and Sonoma Wine Country, as well as Yosemite National Park (www.yosemitepark.com) There are also some notable wineries in the San Jose/Silicon Valley area. (www.sanjose.org) (www.sjc.org)

Thanks for all the info.<BR>
<BR>I think we're interested in spending most of our time along the coast north of San Fran, and visiting wineries. Would the Sacramento airport be too out of the way?

Hope, If the coast and wineries are your pick, then Oakland would prob be you best bet. <BR><BR>Altho, with Bay Area traffic you never know that it may be shorter coming up <BR>I-80 to Sacto vs going down the Nimitz to Oak. during rush hour. It's a crap shoot on No Cal freeways anymore!<BR><BR>Good luck and let us know what you pick and post a trip report.<BR>Thx,<BR>Kal

Hi Hope<BR>Plan to visit Healdsburg and the Dry Creek area for at least a day. There's a great hotel, the Madronna Manor, and really good, small wineries. Sonoma is also a great place to tour.<BR>Point Reyes is amazing in the fall, and there are even nice redwood groves nearby.