all,

i need a little help/suggestions on 7 nights in sf area in may. thinking a couple of nights in sf, a couple in napa/sonoma, and a couple in monterrey peninsula or big sur.

questions:

any ideas on itineraries? sf first, then napa, then south? too much of a pain to get to the airport? etc.

where to stay in napa/sonoma? money not really an issue, but would rather spend 300 a night on someplace special than 500 a night on a place with little characters. have heard good things about the gaige inn.

where to stay in monterrey/carmel/big sur? is the post ranch inn worth it? is it worth it to go down to big sur? tickle pink inn look great too. any comments?

any other suggestions would be great!

jr

I'll leave Napa and San Fran to others, but, yes, the Post Ranch Inn is worth it. Heck, going to Big Sur and pitching a tent would be worth it, just to be IN Big Sur. But the Post Ranch Inn, is splendid. It overlooks the ocean, and is quiet, and is very, very soothing. Get the Treehouse room. You are literally IN a tree. If you can easily afford the incrediaby high prices, then stay there. [one could argue that NO room should cost that much money, but since it's your money, do as you please. I love it there.] Personally, I'd trim a few days off the San Fran leg of your trip and spend a little more time in Napa and Big Sur. But I like being outdoors.

Been to Big Sur a couple times and stayed at the Post Ranch Inn both times (in 3 different types of rooms). Have to disagree with the previous post on the Tree House room. We had to move from a Coast House to the Tree House due to prior bookings and what a difference. Felt very private and open in the Coast House (overlooking the ocean - LONG views) and very closed in but exposed in the Tree House (windows look at other rooms - SHORT views!). Order of prefrence of rooms - Ocean House, Coast House, Mountain House. Wouldn't even stay there if I had to stay in a Tree House room. Stay away from the South Coast house (big enough for 2 couples but not on the property and really nothing special). Don't go to the Post Ranch Inn for the beach (none at the property) or pool (a bit of a walk and nothing special). Go for privacy, great food (don't miss the breakfast every morning), good hiking on grounds and nearby, and to get away from it all an just relax.

Regarding splitting your trip up - you've got a lot of travel in your plans - count on 3 hours from SF to Big Sur. If you can, fly into SF and out of San Jose or even Monterrey. Doing SF and Napa is no problem. Adding Big Sur to the mix could be a little much.

Also, Ventana in Big Sur is nice but not right on the ocean - have veiws but from a little ways off - not like Post Ranch which is right on top of the bluff.

You are doing a lot of zigging and zagging. SF north to Napa then back through SF (or the East Bay) south to Big Sur then back north to SF. This is not a very efficient itinerary.

If I were you I'd bite the bullet and pick any two you really want to see and (reluctantly) drop the third. I would fly into SF - spend 3 nights there and then drive down to Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur for the rest. (Then fly out of San Jose if you can get an open jaw.)

JR:

Given your itinerary, your best bet would be to fly into and out of San Jose International. You can use the City as the homebase for your trip with sidetrips north to San Francisco/Napa areas and south to Monterey/Big Sur areas. I can't comment too much on SF/Napa, but in Monterey (www.monterey.com) don't miss the Monterey Bay Aquarium and 17 Mile Drive. Also, stop in Carmel By the Sea would be worthwhile. 2 nights in Monterey should about do it. The drive south on Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) toward Big Sur is spectacular. If you have an extra day, the very scenic drive south, about 65 miles from Big Sur, to Cambria for a visit to Hearst Castle is highly recommended. I have been there a couple of times and the place is spectacular. (www.hearst-castle.org) As the largest city in Northern California, San Jose and Silicon Valley also have alot to offer in terms of restaurants, culture(museums, performing arts, etc.) and nightlife (www.sanjose.org) In terms of getting to the San Jose International Airport (www.sjc.org) from downtown there is the (Valley Transportation Authority) VTA Light Rail that you can take to the Metro/Airport Station, and then take the Free VTA/SJC Airport Flyer #10 Bus to the Airport. I think that you may be biting off a little too much by including the San Francisco and Napa areas in this trip with the amount of time that you have.