My Husband and I are trying to plan a trip to either the wine country on the west coast or the coast of Maine.
We enjoy small towns that are not touristy and bed and breakfasts. We enjoy experiencing the true culture of places that we travel and would like any suggestions about either of these places. We have been to neither however both have been highly recommended. Also, what time of year is best?
Thanks

For Maine, I'd recommend late August through mid-October. Most people trek up along the coast, concentrating on coastal towns from Portland north to Mt. Desert Island (Bar Harbor qualifies as touristy but there are other towns around the island), but there are a few inland towns you might pass through, too. How long do you have and where are you starting from?

Someone else will have to talk about wine country, but presumably you'd also be interested in coastal norther Cal. too?

ttt

Ok, so the fall seems to be the best time for both places. That's great to know. We are just in the beginning stages of planning but were thinking about 10 days or so.
As far as Maine, I have heard that Camden is wonderful. Does anyone have any information about Camden including things to do, places to stay, etc.?

As far as the wine country in Ca. I have heard that Sonoma is better than Napa but I'm not sure why? Any recommendations on those areas?

Thanks for your help!!

Camden is probably the prettiest coastal town in Maine with a popular harbor which is home to windjammers. I'm not sure when they head to the Carribean for the winter. There is a tiny, local winery in Lincolnville just north of Camden. Cellar Door Winery. We also tried some wine from the Sow's Ear but didn't care for it. Camden is upscale. We have enjoyed visiting Maine in late June before the crowds start and we enjoyed a local Lupine Festival in Stonington on the Blue Hill Peninsula. That's a beautiful area you can explore before you get to Mt Desert/Bar Harbor area. We also like the mid-coast area of Maine in August when blueberries are ripe. If you wait until September, I would make sure to visit the Common Ground Fair sponsored by the Organic Farmers association. It's not your usual country fair, great food that's healthy for you and beautiful handmade crafts. It's an easy drive from Camden. I like the Damariscotta area too. August is also a better time if you plan to take any boat trips. We had a wonderful trip to see lighthouses sponsored by the Maritime Museum in Bath. Check their website to see if it's still being offered. We went on an all day trip but I think it is now two half day trips. Keep in mind that Portland and everything south is very built up and popular weekend destinations within an easy drive of Boston but you will find marvelous art galleries.
If you really want to experience the real Maine, you need to realize that lumber is probably more of Maine's culture than lobster. The Cole Transportation Museum in Bangor is great (look at the pictures of the Lombard Log Hauler) and if there is an event going on at the Leonard's Mills Logging Museum it is a good opportunity to learn about that part of Maine's story. The sawmill has been fully restored. There will be chopping competitions by college teams. I think the event we went to was in June. My FIL has spent some time in the woods so he was familiar with some of the old chain saws. You look at those monsters and can believe that Paul Bunyan must have had some brothers and cousins. And, if you get to Bangor, try a meal at Dysarts. It's a truck stop with good eats.

My wife and I were in Maine this summer for two weeks. We stayed in Newcastle (Damriscotta area) and visited Camden, Rockport, and other nearby areas. We have previously been to Bar Harbor to visit Acadia Nat'l Park--one of the best places in the world.
By coincidence, we were in Northern California last year and very much enjoyed Mendocino and Healdsburg (Sonoma area). We did go to Ferndale and Eureka as well, but as nice as those areas are it is a long way from San Francisco. I think people like Sonoma because it is slightly less glitzy than Napa. Good luck.