ebvacationer

Thank you sf7307! SFO is probably a great idea! Especially since I've changed our departure time out of SFO to 12:20!

We're checking out of the Sea Rock Inn in Mendocino on Thursday and plan to casually drive along the coast toward SFO. So we'll have time to enjoy the scenery!!!!! Sounds like it's going to be a great trip!

Thanks for the advice. eb

travelbug2000

Wow! some awesome info in this thread. We're going to CA 9/4, staying with friends in Calistoga for four nights and then driving north to Mendocino on Wed morning. If we want to be in San Francisco Fri or Sat (we're leaving Monday), where else would you recommend we stay along the coast while making our way south? Or, is Mendocino a better place to stay for the duration? I've been to Sausalito and it's a great place to go for dinner and a view of the city (until the fog rolls in), but I'd rather enjoy more natural beauty. Would love recommendations on walks or easy hikes, places to go, things to do.

Definitely goimg to check out La Petite Rive. I'm a personal chef and love places like this.

THANKS!

razzledazzle

"where else would you recommend we
stay along the coast while making our way south?
Would love recommendations on walks or
easy hikes, places to go, things to do."

Then you must take a look at Pt. Reyes National Seashore !
One of the most beautiful places on the planet, IMHO
www.nps.gov/pore/
and look here for lodging
www.ptreyes.com

Since your trip is so soon, SERIOUSLY tackle the lodging ASAP !
AND
Don't forget to post back about La Petite Rive-
do you have reservations ???

R5

AJPeabody

Can you drop your car in San Francisco and tay overnight in SF, taking public transport or an airport shuttle to the plane the next morning? Saves a day of car rental and no worries on getting to the plane on time if there is bad traffic from Sausolito.

travelbug2000

Great, we'll check it out. We're staying in SF Sat and Sun with free parking at our hotel, so I think we'll keep the car. Thanks!

ebvacationer

Just wanted to update everybody - due to the OUTSTANDING advice everyone has given on this website - I've made our reservations!!!!

We will be staying at Sea Rock Inn in Mendocino for 3 days (which by the way, I have made our dinner reservations for that Wednesday night at the La Petite Rive!). We also plan to try out all the other suggested restaurants and bars as well and to check out the other suggested places to stay for future trips )

We will then be driving down to Point Reyes and staying at Fernando's Hideaway Cottages (tried to get in the Neon Rose which I know we would have LOVED) but it was booked. However, Fernando's Hideaway has great reviews on Tripadvisor and sounds like an easy drive to the SFO airport. We'll be staying at Fernando's two nights before our flight out of San Francisco on Saturday morning.

All in all, with our visit to the Santa Cruz area, Yountville and Napa, Mendocino, and Point Reyes we will have extended what was to be a short trip to a 14 day trip instead - lol!!!!

Thanks EVERYBODY for your great advice. and travelbug2000 I hope your trip goes well too!!!!

P.S. If anyone thinks of any other good advice for Mendocino/Point Reyes sites, views, bars, restaurants, side trips, whatever......please let us know!!!! I'm adding all suggestions to my travel folder! THANK YOU!

sf7307

>>

Not sure what you consider "easy". I live 5 miles from SFO -- that's EASY! Point Reyes is at least a 1-1/2 hour drive, if not more, to SFO.

But, it sounds like a nice trip, just be sure to give yourselves plenty of time to get to the airport.

ebvacationer

Oops - said Fernando's - and it's Ferrando's!

Thanks sf7307! You're right - I guess "easy" wasn't the right word - and I AM paranoid about getting to the airport in time. Our flight leaves at 12:15. If we leave the B&B around 9:00, don't you think it's likely that we can be at the airport, turn our rental in, and still be ok for our flight out?

sf7307

Working backward, you'd probably want to be in the airport in line for security by 11:00 or 11:15, so you'd want to be at the car rental place by about 10:30. If it were me, I'd probably leave the B&B by 8:30 to allow for some leeway.

razzledazzle

Reads like a wonderful trip, eb !
Do come back and tell us all about it-especially dinner at
La Petite Rive-looks like they have moved to their new location at the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek. Since they are on the forest side of Hwy 1 now, I'll be interested to hear how the views are and of course if the new chef has settled in.

Since you are driving to SFO on a Saturday,I think 9AM would be OK to get you to SFO by 10:30-11:00-
if you want to be super-safe leave at 8:30.

Do have a wonderful time ! end of Septemebr is typically
one of our nicest months here.

R5

SAB

It takes me about just under an hour to get to Point Reyes from SF and 1/2 hour or less to get to SFO from SF--so I would allow at least 1 1/2 to get to SFO from Point Reyes (the most time consuming part is driving Sir Francis Drake to 101 and there may be slow traffic going through the City --not as bad as a weekday, but traffic nonetheless).

shouldbewriting

ebvacationer: I posted more on yr original thread...

ebvacationer

Hey R5 and everyone else who has helped so much!!!
We are at the Sea Rock Inn in Mendocino and leaving for Point Reyes tomorrow. Had dinner tonight at the La Petite Rive' and it was very nice! (Maybe write more later.)
Would definitely (as someone suggested on this message board - and a couple we met) would likely try the Little River Inn next time we come to Mendocino!
Today drove up the coast to the Pacific Star Winery (a highlight of our trip - even after Yountville/Napa wineries - definitely a working winery and very friendly and educational) and up the road about 10 or so miles! BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Really enjoying our trip!!!!
Heading down to Point Reyes (sp?) tomorrow. Hopefully will stop at Queenies? (or something like that) Roadside Cafe at Elk for Breakfast/Lunch!
Thanks everyone for your help!!! If anyone is interested, I'll keep you up to date!!!

razzledazzle

So, how was Quennie's ? or are you there now ?
"It's good to be Queen !"

Little River Inn is a fun place to dine-
good food, great people.

Do tell us how you like Point Reyes - sorry that the fog
has returned-we live about 30 mins east of Pt. Reyes
and we are still fogged in as I type this.
Should burn off here in a few hours-
then retrun around 5-6 PM

R5

ebvacationer

Hi R5!!!! We are now in Point Reyes and staying at the Ferrando's Hideaway! The very nicest B&B we have ever stayed in!!!!!! They have two cottages (large enough "cottage" I could live here permanently!). Very private, two private patios, bbq grill, wonderful hot tub, beautiful gardens, flowers everywhere, cedar closet, wood-burning stove already kindled and ready for us to light when we arrived, so much cheese, crackers, milk, pastries, cookies, etc. in the fully stocked kitchen! Can't say enough about this place!
We loved Queenie's - I told her that you had recommended her place to us! I had the best Reuben sandwich there I've EVER had in my life!!! Could barely eat half of it. And my hubby's breakfast was outstanding - that grilled bacon was something else!
Plan to drive back up Hwy 1 to Jakes for a late lunch, and then maybe try to drive down to Limantour Beach. Then, just back here to Relax! Great place!
Thanks for your great advice! It has really helped us have a great trip!!!!!

ebvacationer

Oops....not Jakes - meant to say Nick's Cove for a late lunch (or may just walk into town.)

razzledazzle

Hi eb !

How can you think about food after Quennie's ? LOL!
I'm probably too late, yet
Nick's Cove is great fun or if you
walk into town take a look at
www.osteriastellina.com

Consider a picking up picnic lunch provisions
at the Cowgirl Cremery
www.cowgirlcreameray.com
Cowgirl Creamery at Tomales Bay Foods
80 4th Street
Point Reyes Station, California
415.663.9335
Open Wednesday
thru Monday

How long are you here ?

R5