need help completing itinerary for San Fran/Sonoma trip
 

Husband and I are celebrating 25th anniversary in late April 2014. We are flying into an booked 2 nights in San Francisco then we head to Healdsburg for 2 nights where we will explore wineries. We have a night and a day left to book before flying out of San Francisco again. Would love ideas for this time. We were looking at perhaps a coastal town? or should we hit San Fran again? We would need to head to airport in the am so don't want to be too far that last morning. Thanks for any advice.
FYI - we are booked at Hotel Triton in San Fran and H2 in Healdsburg. Also welcome suggestions for anniversary dinner in San Francisco as well as winery suggestions.
Thanks!

Have you been down to Carmel/Monterrey yet?

Carmel/Monterey is too far from healdsburg to make sense for one night.

Your best bet is somewhere on the Marin or Sonoma coast. Bodega bay, Sausalito, etc.

Carmel is a little too far away from SFO for an AM flight.

I would stay in San Francisco the last night. Really - 2 nights/1 1/2 days isn't enough on the first part of your visit..

Last night dinner:
La Folie or Quince for a splurge
Farallon for a "sight for the eyes" & seafood

Stu Dudley

Coast

Half Moon Bay - on the airport side of San Francisco. Lots of B&Bs there, & less than a 45 min drive to SFO. A few decent restaurants also in the area. There is a Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay.

Stu Dudley

I have stayed at the Hotel Triton and really enjoyed my stay there. You will be right in the midst of Union Square and Chinatown. You do know NOT to get a car and drive into San Francisco, right? Take the BART. You can rent a car in Union Square and ask to return at the airport. Shop around as the drop off fees may vary.

half moon bay is relaxing but it would take you probably 1 hr to get to airport from there depending on time of day. AM there is a lot of traffic going over the hill. Sf would be preference. See if there are any shows in town either at the curran, Geary, golden Gate of Orpheum or some of the smaller houses. there is also Beach Blanket Babylon for a fun night out to complete your trip. Love Perbacco for dinner in the City...

I live between Half Moon Bay and SFO. It takes me 20-25 mins to get to Hwy 1 in HMB from my home, and 7-10 mins to SFO. Mapquest says it takes 28 mins from HMB to SFO. Leaving for SFO, you can avoid most commute traffic by taking #92 east from HMB. At the first stop light after a scenic 15 min drive (when you see a large body of water), take a left when the arrow turns green. Follow the road and the signs towards San Francisco (part of this road may still be blocked - so you really can't go elsewhere). Get on 280 north. In 5-6 mins or so take 380 east (only direction it goes), then 101 to SFO.

I agree with Shar, however - spend your last night in San Francisco. BBB is a gas!! Perbacco is one of our favorites too...

Stu Dudley

The problem with Half Moon Bay is the frequent traffic/truck accidents on Hwy 92. These can close the road or cause significant delays.
I would stay in San Francisco and take Bart to the airport.

I've driven on Hwy 92 between HMB and our home in San Mateo in excess of 500 times over the past 32+ years. So far (cross my fingers) I have never encountered an accident that blocked traffic. I saw one in the "other" direction last year - but it was over in less than 30 mins after we passed it. It's been slow at times, however, but never slow enough to add more than 10 mins to our normal travel time.

Stu Dudley

How did I know you'd have to disagree with me?!
I have actually lived in Half Moon Bay for 20 years, using that road every day. It is a frequent occurrence and adds much more than 10 minutes. The road was closed 2 hours on New Year's Eve morning.
We commute over that road. My kids commuted to high school over that road. Gee Stu, I guess I could add those up for you if you feel it's important.
Can the rest of us in the area ever add to the conversation?

Thanks for the suggestions - I will look into all of them! We are now considering heading back to SF for that last night before flying out.

We haven't looked into the details of renting a car - a good tip about delaying that until leaving for Healdsburg. Of course, with visiting the wineries, we will be looking into a finding a driver or tour to avoid "tasting" and driving. We will be driving through Sausalito and stopping at the Pelican Inn for lunch (it has sentimental value to us..). Probably a quick visit to Muir woods that afternoon as well.

Will still appreciate any other tips - especially for restaurants, wineries or other interesting places around Healdsburg.

Another vote for spending your last night in San Francisco and taking in Beach Blanket Babylon. I've seen it several times and love it!

Last night in SF for sure. I have lots of threads on here about things we have done on our frequent visits to SF.

If your Pelican Inn stop will be on a weekend, I suggest making reservations for lunch--it can get really packed there. And it's often impossible to park at or near Muir Woods unless you get there before 10 a.m. Just something to think about.

>>How did I know you'd have to disagree with me?!<<

I was just describing my first-hand experiences. Yours are different - but no more or less qualified than mine.

Stu Dudley

All great tips, thanks. We have booked our flights and hotel, sans one Friday night. Based on feedback, we have decided to head back to SF for that night, as we have an 8:45 am flight out of SF airport. We are staying at the Hotel Triton (Chinatown/Union Square I believe) earlier that week, and would like to stay somewhere different for that returning night. Suggestions for another part of the city? We are not looking to drop more than the very low $200s for that night if possible, but are open to ideas.

Last bit of reservations is a rental car Wednesday (from SF) to head to Healdsburg and back. Suggestions for that? Pick up near Hotel Triton would be great. Thanks!!