Need help with San Francisco & Sonoma Itinerary
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 83
Need help with San Francisco & Sonoma Itinerary
After much back and forth, my husband & I and our sister/brother in law are travelling to San Francisco in August for one week. We are in our 50's. We are planning to arrive in San Fran on a Saturday and then drive to Sonoma and stay through to Tuesday morning and drive to San Fran. We need help with hotels in both areas. In San Fran, want to stay in Union Square area. In Sonoma, stay in town area so we walk around. Our budget is approximately $300/night, and if we could even do a little less that would be nice. We also need some restaurant ideas, and would love to get suggestions on more local restaurants vs. tourist type. We expect to do a lot of walking in San Fran. I've already got some ideas for day itinerary in San Fran, but any ideas are welcome, especially if different than the usual to do list. Much thanks.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 25,651
Just curious whether you have checked what hotels are available for your price and dates in the Union Square area? Without knowing specific dates, it's hard to recommend anything, since the price of hotels is "dynamic" (dependent on what's going on in town that day/week). In the Union Square area, there are hotels in every * category and price range. Also, will you have a car or are you going to return the car when you get to SF (parking is VERY expensive). I'd suggest giving us a list of hotels and then people can comment on your selections.
#3
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,866
$300 per night for each couple or for both couples combined? Makes a huge difference, especially in San Francisco.
As for "what to do" what interests you and yours? What ideas do you already have so we don't need to repeat them.
It appears you will have 3 1/2 days in San Francisco, is that correct?
For a starter, I highly recommend at least 1 (if not more) of the donation only walking tours sponsored by SF Public Library. A great way know the city from several different view points and perspectives; there are tours for just about every interest.
http://www.sfcityguides.org
As far as restaurants, SF has a plethora of restaurants to choose from in every cuisine and price range that are frequented by locals as well as tourists. If you want locals only, you'll find them more abundant when you head out of the Central area and into communities like Noe Valley.
As for "what to do" what interests you and yours? What ideas do you already have so we don't need to repeat them.
It appears you will have 3 1/2 days in San Francisco, is that correct?
For a starter, I highly recommend at least 1 (if not more) of the donation only walking tours sponsored by SF Public Library. A great way know the city from several different view points and perspectives; there are tours for just about every interest.
http://www.sfcityguides.org
As far as restaurants, SF has a plethora of restaurants to choose from in every cuisine and price range that are frequented by locals as well as tourists. If you want locals only, you'll find them more abundant when you head out of the Central area and into communities like Noe Valley.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 83
Thanks everyone. Some answers: a) $300 per couple; b) we will not have a car in San Fran. WIll drop it off on the return from Sonoma c) yes, we're open to outside the Sonoma town such as Glen Elle or healdsburg d) ideas include Alcatraz, Chinatown, Financial area -- a lot of walking. So mostly the most popular areas that i've read about to date.
#8
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,866
I am guessing that this is your 1st visit to SF. We absolutely love the city and have been many times.
We still like seeing "tourist" sites, after all we are tourists! We had never been to The Japanese Gardens and did so last trip; it was lovely.
We have also gone "off the usual path" and had great adventures too.
We went up to Sutro Towers and Twin Peaks [ok, still tourist attractions]; we have wandered thru Potrero Hill and Dog Patch.
You get my drift...LOTS to see and do.
Again, I highly recommend the walking tours I linked to above. If nothing else, read over the various tours [there's LOTS of them] to get ideas of what interests you and yours.
We still like seeing "tourist" sites, after all we are tourists! We had never been to The Japanese Gardens and did so last trip; it was lovely.
We have also gone "off the usual path" and had great adventures too.
We went up to Sutro Towers and Twin Peaks [ok, still tourist attractions]; we have wandered thru Potrero Hill and Dog Patch.
You get my drift...LOTS to see and do.
Again, I highly recommend the walking tours I linked to above. If nothing else, read over the various tours [there's LOTS of them] to get ideas of what interests you and yours.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,802
Well, in wine country, we prefer Healdsburg over Sonoma town, and the Hotel Healdsburg is our absolute fave, although it's a budget buster, usually. If you can snag it for $300, go for it, the included breakfast is awesome. Its sister property, the h2 hotel, might be more affordable. Scopa, Dry Creek Kitchen, Barn Diva, Matteo's, Spoon Bar are all restaurants in Healdsburg that I can recommend, and Bear Republic's tap room (craft beer) is great, too.
In Glen Ellen, we have stayed at the Gaige House and thought it very nice indeed. Lovely breakfasts, and a nice wine/cheese reception daily. Location kind of walkable to restaurants, but along dark roads.
In Glen Ellen, we have stayed at the Gaige House and thought it very nice indeed. Lovely breakfasts, and a nice wine/cheese reception daily. Location kind of walkable to restaurants, but along dark roads.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
yeadonite
United States
43
Oct 9th, 2012 05:27 PM