Hi there,

I'm finalizing details for my honeymoon in October...we're spending 5 days in Olema (Point Reyes Natn'l Seashore), 2 in Napa Valley & 3 days at Post Ranch in the Big Sur area. We're planning on doing a lot of hiking, relaxing, etc. But, I'd really like to have a couple of nice surprises planned for new husband. Any suggestions from people familiar with those areas?

Hi nicoleevon-
I live in Sonoma County, CA and
will try to help.
What kind of surprises are you looking for ? Trails, restaurants, activities ?
here's a few.
Pt.Reyes:
Drive out to the lighthouse and hike ALL the steps down for terrific views.

At Limantour Beach, once on the beach
turn left and walk along to Kelam Beach/Arch Rock. Ascend the stair/ladder up to the Coast Trail
and return to Limantour parking lot.

At the southern end of PR near the town of Bolinas-take the Palomarin Trailhead on the Coast Trail to Bass Lake-
bring you suit for a dip.

In Tomales Bay, rent kayaks for a unique view of the bay.

On your way to Napa, make reservations
for a jeep tour of Safari West wildlife sanctuary-really up close and personal with the amimals.

In Calistoga make plans for a mud bath and massage.

Is that what you had in mind ?
R5

I am an old married gal well acquainted with No Ca and R5's suggestions are right on! We're heading to the Old Druids Hall Inn in late Jen for a over 50 bday. We love the area and plan to take in the R5 hike suggestions.Bass Lake should be beautiful! The hike suggestion from Limantour is great.

I will also add Abbotts Lagoon to the mix. It's stunning! We've taken pix of ourselves at its park bench every year for the past 18!

Consider the Tomales Bluff trail which allows you panaromic views of both Tomales Bay and the Pacific.

Good grief..your honeymoon plans make me wish I was a blushing "bride" all over again!

wqhoops that would be in late June!

Go to Nepenthe (I think that is the spelling) while in the Big Sur for a meal or a something to drink. The view is spectacular and it was always a special place for us, including on our honymoon.

One more suggestion:check out the Di Rosa Preserve in s. Napa. They have a website.

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! R5, to answer your question, I'm not really sure what I'm looking for...just a few things to make the trip really special. I do especially appreciate info on great hikes...that's right up our alley. Everything you've all suggested sounds worth looking into. I would appreciate some more restaurant suggestions if anybody has some in mind.

PamSF, that's where we're staying while we're at Point Reyes! We're renting the little cottage out back.

Nicole

For PR:
Razzledazzle's tips are great...the Coast Trail is one of my favorites, as is the trail to Tomales Point. The short walk to Chimney Rock is also a must do. Check and see if they are doing the monthly Lighthouse tour where they fire up the "real" lighthouse lens when you are there. It's really, really cool.
Pine Cone Diner in PR Station has the BEST breakfasts. Fabulous pancakes, hash browns, etc. Lunch is good too. Station House has a lovely outdoor courtyard for dining. Bovine Bakery for good baked goods.
The Marshall Store, part way up the east side of Tomales Bay, is terrific for BBQ (or they have other kinds) oysters, and they have a little deck on the water.

Here's some ideas for your time in Big Sur:

How about surprising him with a middle of the night reservation for a soak at the spectacular coastside open air hot springs at the world famous Esalen Institute? They're open to the public by reservation only, 1 AM to 3 AM only (no, there's no typo in that time span.) Great for a breather on one of those honeymoon nights when sleeping seems only an unwelcome distraction. Swimsuits optional.

http://www.esalen.com/place/hot_springs.shtml

http://www.esalen.com/info/general.shtml

I'm another person with fond honeymoon memories of Nepenthe, as well as of the Esalen springs. Do not disappoint yourselves by eating meals at Nepenthe, there are much better places to eat in Big Sur (including the unpretentious but very enjoyable River Inn.) But sit on their terrace and nurse drinks and maybe snacks for a long time. It will become a special place you will enjoy coming back to through the years. Try to be there for sunset, dusk, a moonlit evening. At night, if your husband can handle exquisite but very sweet and strong drink, order him the house specialty, a Nepenthe C&C. I can't guarantee he'll like it, but he won't forget it.

The terrace at Cielo, the restaurant and bar at the Ventana Inn, right across the road from the Post Ranch, is a wonderful place for outdoor lunching (the food is superb) and drinking on a sunny, high visibility day. Here you will have a quite different view than at Post Ranch or Nepenthe, no matter how close they are, because you will be at much higher altitude, up closer to the hilltops, and with a fantastic view down the coast that can go on for miles and miles of finger after finger of land dipping into the ocean.

Hike the Waterfall Trail at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and try to keep it a secret that at the end he'll see the only waterfall on the Pacific Coast which falls directly into the Ocean.

Make a reservation for dinner after dark at Deetjen's Big Sur Inn, where you'll enjoy excellent food by candlelight in old wooden dining rooms dripping with Big Sur atmosphere. Return to Deetjen's for breakfast and fortify yourselves for hiking with their scrumptious berry-and-cream-cheese-stuffed French Toast.

Use the search box to find excellent Big Sur hiking reports which have appeared in this forum in the past, especially by easytraveler.

Manka's Lodge in Inverness for a wonderful dinner in an old lodge style restaurant. The Olema Inn also has a very nice restaurant that I believe was written up in the San Francisco Chronicle not too long ago.

Nepenthe is a nice view if there is little fog. It's hit/miss. It's an average restaurant with an above-average location.

Esalen is very nice - with commensurate pricing.

How quickly will the waterfall at Pfeiffer be flowing in October, I wonder? Hiking there and across Andrew Molera to the ocean are two of my favrorites.

The French Laundry restaurant is very nice in Napa/Yountville. It requires 2 months advance for reservations. The head chef is meticulous & well-known.

Remember that October begins the rainy season for these areas . . .

The Pine Cone diner and Bovine Bakery
makes me hungry christy1 ! I wouldn't
worry much about rain until Halloween.
My wedding anniversary is Oct. 12
and it is typically warm and sunny.
October is typically sublime at Pt.
Reyes-very little fog.
Congratulations to you !
R5

Nicole~We are renting the cabin as well.
We also have one night reserved at The Olema Inn which is in walking distance from the Druids Hall.It has a good menu with lots of fresh local food and a good wine list.

If you want a blow out meal try Manka's in Inverness. They have a website. The meal will run you more but if it's your honeymoon what the hell.You must reserve.

Razzle - ordinarily I would agree, but if you remember the last few years rain has arrived in the 2nd and 3rd week of Oct, not just the on the 30th as was normal for about 25 years.
Check the Farmer's Almanac.

We're long time campers & hikers, so we've learned to go with whatever the weather throws at us...not terribly concerned about the rain. Give me a good book, a bottle of wine & a fireplace & I'm a happy girl while I wait it out. Thanks again for all the advice...I will definitely use many of your ideas. One question about Manka's...I've read that the menu changes daily & there are a limited number of offerings. I have no problem with that, except that I mainly eat chicken & fish, very little red meat. Would I still enjoy a meal there?

Pam, I'd love to hear what you think of the cabin!

Nicole

There are several hot air balloon companies in the Napa Valley if that interests you. Cute new restaurant between Napa & Sonoma is "Boon Fly Cafe" on Hwy 121.
Best Wishes on your upcoming wedding.

N~I rarely see only red meat on the menu. They often have fish especially in the summer. I'd call and see if you can find out menus or look at the sample ones on line. They've got to have vegetarian options even if they are serving red meat.

I will do a trip posting after we've been to the Old Druids Hall. We're big fans of the area and thought the cabin looked divine.

N~some more tips for your time at Druids Hall. Check out Hog Island Oyster Company. You can get raw oysters there to eat or bring some back to the cabin to cook. The town of Point Reyes Station also is home to the Palace Market which will have organic meats,fruits, veggies and necessary food stuffs.The Bovine Bakery in PRS has great bread and the like. PRS also is home to Cowgirl Creamery which will delight you with its limited but divine selections. You might want to motor up Hwy 1 and beyond to places like Sebastapol,Bodgea Bay and surrounds. R5 has some great tips for dining in that area. It's not far and the views will delight.

Sorry for all the postings but I keep thinking of stuff. The Farmers Market in Point Reyes StaTION (jUNE-oCTOBER)is @Tobys Feed Barn. Check it out.You may also want to wander down coast into Stinson Beach and check out the Parkside Cafe.

Bolinas is a good little place to poke around but my feeling is most of the town has taken one too many hits of LSD 30 years ago.

Just "one" ?