Napa to Big Sur (Pacific Coast Trip)

Old Feb 11th, 2007, 04:07 PM
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Napa to Big Sur (Pacific Coast Trip)

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping you could help a NYC dweller out, who knows very little about beautiful Napa-Sonoma-San Fran-Monterey-Carmel-Big Sur. This is my week-long travel itinerary for late May/early June with my boyfriend.

We're staying at: La Belle Epoque in Napa, Sonoma Chalet in Sonoma (though I need to book this one), Old Monterey Inn in Monterey, Tickle Pink Inn in Carmel. (We'll be in San Fran 2 days, but staying with family there, and will do a day trip to Big Sur).

I was curious if anyone had advice about MUST SEE/MUST DO items in these locations....

Any suggestions for must-visit wineries in Napa/Sonoma?

Any thoughts on what to see/do in Carmel/Monterey/Big Sur? We are looking forward to the aquarium in Monterey, but would like to avoid super touristy areas in any of these places....

Restuarant suggestions in any of these places?? Budget not a huge issue, but would like to avoid anything obscene

As an FYI, we're 28 year olds who are looking for a romantic, laid back week...

Thank so much!!
 
Old Feb 11th, 2007, 04:35 PM
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Hi - Sounds like a nice trip. One thing that pops out at me is the change in hotels between Monterey and Carmel. Both towns are practically adjacent, so unless there is a specific reason to stay in both those hotels, I would pick one or the other. 4 hotels plus staying with family on a 1 week vacation is a lot of moving. Also, Napa and Sonoma aren't far apart so you could also stay in one place there and see both areas.





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Old Feb 11th, 2007, 04:41 PM
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I agree with J_Correa and although the distances are longer than on the Monterey peninsula, I would not switch hotels in Napa and Sonoma. After all, both can be part of a day's outing from San Francisco, which is even farther away.
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Old Feb 11th, 2007, 04:41 PM
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I agree! Areas are so close!

I loved (in Napa) Sterling Vineyards (you have to do the gondola ride), Opus and Mondavi.

In Monterey, we stayed at the Spindrift Inn (wood floors, feather down bed, wood burning fireplace). We visited Carmel on a day trip.

8-)
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Old Feb 11th, 2007, 04:42 PM
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Thank you so much for the response.

I really appreciate the feedback--the reason for the stay in Monterey (instead of 3 nights in Carmel, instead of 2) is that I had my heart set on the Old Monterey Inn -- it seemed too charming to pass up.

Maybe I'll see about staying 2 nights in Napa (and just traveling to Sonoma with no stay overnight) ... thanks!
 
Old Feb 11th, 2007, 04:46 PM
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Oh! The other vineyard is Coppola! It was beautiful!
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Old Feb 11th, 2007, 04:48 PM
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This is so helpful - thank you so much for all the suggestions!!
 
Old Feb 11th, 2007, 07:32 PM
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After Napa, why not move to the town of Healdsburg and stay there instead of the town of Sonoma?? There are so many wineries to visit and things to see all around Hbg. Lots of B&B's to chose from... or for a different experience check out www.HealdsburgRentals.com You will find a charming town square with lots of great shops and restaurants.
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Old Feb 11th, 2007, 07:39 PM
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Sorry - but it really is silly to move from Monterey to Carmel or vice versa. Pick the one that appeals to you the most and stay there the whole time. No reason to pack/check out/move/check in/unpack to move a total of about 4 miles.
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Old Feb 11th, 2007, 07:56 PM
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When in Napa get yourself over to the
Silverado Trail which parallels Hyw 29-
less traffic. Make a rezzie for the tour at Del Dotto, then continue up valley
to Darioush, Sinskey, Rombauer, Twoomey
Frank Family. Coppola is now Rubicon Estate and charges $25 to get in-nothing laid back or romantic about THAT, LOL!


There are many wonderful restaurants in the Napa Valley- Bistro Don Giovanni,
Redd, Ad Hoc, Bistro Jeanty, NV, Zuzu,Cindy's Backstreet, Terra and on and on....

Near Sonoma town seek out Mayo,Kaz,
Gundlach-Bundschu & Benziger. Too
bad you won't have time for the Healdsburg area-it is beautiful AND romantic !!

You didn't mention if you will be doing the wine thing on the weekend. If so Napa traffic on Hwy 29 will be it's usual grumpy self-
consider spending more time over here in Sonoma County.


R5
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Old Feb 12th, 2007, 07:34 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions.

As re: Monterey/Carmel, the hotels are already confirmed, so I don't have much of a choice at this point anyway (their cancellation policies are pretty strict, since they're small B and Bs)--but I appreciate you all pointing it out! (At least I had the sense to book 2 nights in Carmel, instead of trying to do 1 there, and 1 in big sur... Then I REALLY would feel like a nomad!!!) My boyfriend and I are OK with doing it this way -- but it's definitely good to know and keep in mind.

We will be doing the wine tours in Napa/Sonoma, but we're not the biggest wine people, so we'll be doing that only Wed/Thursday and then heading to San Fran Friday/Saturday.

BTW the Healdsburg area sounds beautiful too..... Thanks to all for the suggestions - a lot to think about!!
 
Old Feb 12th, 2007, 08:07 AM
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You might want to visit the Jack London State Park in Sonoma, which contains the ruins of the Wolf House and the house that his wife Charmain built, now a museum of his life. Next door is the Benziger winery, and in Glen Ellen there is a store (the Olive Press?) where you can sample local olive oils.
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Old Feb 12th, 2007, 08:46 AM
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Sounds like you are staying in some really nice places, we loved the Tickle Pink Inn! I'll give you some restaurant suggestions for the Carmel/Big Sur area:

Right next to the Tickle Pink Inn is the Pacific's Edge @ the Highland's Inn, it is very nice but pricey. Our last meal there was excellent, a little over a year ago. They also have a nice casual restaurant, California Market where we like to dine for lunch and breakfast. Your room at TPI will include a very nice breakfast buffet in the Ocean Terrace room.

Bouchee-in downtown Carmel, they recently chagned chefs, we dined there when Walter Manzke was in the kitchen, he recently left, but we really enjoyed our meal there. Make reservations for Bouchee. We like to book on OpenTable. The food here is comprable to Pacific's Edge, but at Pacific's Edge you will have stunning views of the coastline.

Katy's Place in Carmel- A casual place that serves very good food, they are open for breakfast and lunch and have been featured in several prestigious publications, you can read the articles outside the restaurant.

Mission Ranch- We did the Sunday Jazz Brunch here, they are also open for dinner. Clint Eastwood's restaurant, they have very good food in a gorgeous setting with views of the green pastures and ocean.

Roy's in Pebble Beach- A very nice place to dine in a stunning setting, the food is very good and if you time your meal at sunset, a bagpiper plays that add to the ambiance here, it is located on the 17 Mile Drive.

Casanova- We have had a couple of very nice lunches here out on the back patio, very good food and wine with hospitable, friendly service.

Sierra Mar @ the Post Ranch Inn- For an exquisite meal in Big Suf, this is the place to be. Amazing food with breathtaking views of the ocean. Very nice!

Cielo @ the Ventana Inn & Spa- right across the street from Post Ranch, we like to dine out on the patio there and take in the views of the ocean. Very good food and service.

In Monterey:

Tarpey's Roadhouse

The Duck Club @ the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

The Sardine Factory- great sand dabs here! There are 3 rooms where you can dine, we like the Captain's Room, the Conservatory Room is cool with domed glass ceilings.

In Pacific Grove- Robert Kincaid's White House in the Hart Mansion offers a Fixed Price menu with excellent food. Save room for the "chocolate sac" here, very yummy.

We will be wining and dining around the Napa Valley this Spring, so I'll report back with how it goes when we return. Have a wonderful trip! ***kim***
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Old Feb 12th, 2007, 08:53 AM
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I'm doing a similar trip in August - 2 nites in SF, 2 nites in Sonoma, 2 in Carmel (also Tickle Pink Inn) with a day trip to Big Sur and ending with a 2 day visit to Santa Cruz to visit friends.

I am debating between Kenwood Inn and Spa and Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance where I could stay with Marriott points. Any opinions?
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Old Feb 12th, 2007, 08:55 AM
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If you enjoy being in the woods and checking out some big trees, on your way from SF to Monterey, you might want to stop in the Santa Cruz mountains for a few hours. Big Basin state park is really great. Henry Cowell state park is good too, and is fairly close to the main highways, so it is quicker to get to.
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Old Feb 12th, 2007, 04:04 PM
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Calitravel,

Just FYI...the Tickle Pink has 30 units and is not listed in AAA ss a bed and breakfast, but as a small-scale hotel. They do have a 7-day cancellation notice. Old Monterey Inn only has 10 units and its cancellation policy is 14 days. If this makes any difference because of your dates of travel.

If you are staying in the actual town of Sonoma consider The General's Daughter for a dinner. It is in the house General Vallejo built for his youngest daughter, on his estate, in the late 1800's. Also The Girl and the Fig, a small place near the Plaza.

If you like nature, Point Lobos Reserve, just south of Carmel has some amazing trails and a good chance to see some sea life basking on the rocks.

Sounds like a great trip.
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Old Feb 12th, 2007, 04:09 PM
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This if for jeangail,

I think you are speaking of two completely different kinds of acccommodations in the Kenwood Inn and Spa and Renaissance Lodge at Sonoma. The latter is a fairly new complex, with a spa. It is on the highway leading to the Sonoma Plaza...a little out of town. I don't know the Kenwood property, but it is bound to be a smaller bed and breakfast type place in the charming village of Kenwood. Can you tell anything by googling to see if they have websites so you can get a "feel" for the properties.

Good luck.
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Old Feb 12th, 2007, 05:48 PM
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Thanks to all for such wonderful, detailed information....

JT, thanks for the recommendation re: The General's Daughter-I'm a huge history buff, so I feel like I'd really enjoy that...I also really appreciate your letting me know abt their cancellation policies.... My new thought is staying in Napa 2 nights (and doing day trip to Sonoma) --- what do you think of that idea? That way, I could avoid the constant moving in/out of hotel rooms --and La Belle Epoque looks SO adorable in Napa, I wouldn't mind another night there!

Thanks to all for the advice re: the restaurants and nature/hiking stops....

 
Old Feb 12th, 2007, 05:55 PM
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One question tied to my last post-- i was thinking of booking another night at La Belle Epoque in Napa (and skipping Sonoma Chalet, where I would have only stayed 1 night).

Anyone know about La Belle Epoque and if it's worth spending more $$$$ to stay there a 2nd night (instead of staying at a lower priced room at Sonoma Chalet, which looks kind of cute and quirky), instead of splitting up Napa/Sonoma 1 night each?

Just wondering if anyone knew these hotels and if it was worth spending the extra money.....

Thanks again to all--you really have helped me tremendously w/ planning this trip!!
 
Old Feb 12th, 2007, 06:41 PM
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Big Sur is beautiful, you might want to stay overnight.
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