Hi Everyone,

My husband and I are thinking about going to Northern California in March. With work, we are only able to do 7 days. We were thinking of flying into San Francisco, explore the city for a few days, check out Alcatraz and then rent a car for some exploring... We would like to visit either Sonoma or Nappa (Don't thin we can do both)... What would you suggest?? Ive also heard great things about Carmel/Monterey... So we would love to see those along with the Redwoods... We really don't know much about locations, how long it takes to travel between cities, etc... If we wanted to see all of the above, what would your recommend? This will be both of our first times in Cali, so we need all the help we can get!!

Thank you!

After doing a little research, Please let me know what you think about this Itinerary...

Day 1: Arrive in San Fran - Explore, Overnight in San Fran
Day 2: Explore San Fran - Ghiaradelli Sq, Union Sq, etc. -Overnight in San Fran
Day 3: Day trip to Monterey/Carmel - 17 mile Drive - Pebble Beach?? Head back to San Fran - Overnight in San Fran
Day 4: Alcatraz - Stay over in San Fran (Same hotel all 4 nights)
Day 5: Head to Sonoma/Nappa Area - Tour some wineries - stay over in Sonoma
Day 6: More Exploring in Sonoma/Napa area - check out Mendocino?! Overnight in Sonoma
Day 7: Staying in Sonoma over night - Suggestions?
Day 8: Head back to San Fran and fly home.

Does this make sense, or is it too much?? Any advice would be appreciated.. We'd also like to mix some Redwoods in there...

Why don't you do Alcatraz (be sure to get reservations) on Day 3, then on day 4 head down to Carmel and spend the night there? That would give you a little more time to enjoy the area.

You could then drive up to the Napa/Sonoma area. Healdsburg is another Sonoma area town you might want to consider.

Mendocino is wonderful, but far off the beaten path. To me, it is worth the drive - but you would want to stay at least one night. Others may have differing opinions...

Conversely, it might make sense to visit San Francisco, then Napa/Sonoma and save Carmel for last. Spend the night in Carmel, then drive up to the airport as it is a pretty straight shot from Carmel to SFO (about 2+ hours, depending on traffic -- it could be more).

Good luck with your planning! Northern California is wonderful.

Agree that Mendocino is wonderful From SF its a good 5-6 hour drive along the spectacular Route 1 -- beautiful scenery. I find it far more appealing than Carmel and certainly Monterrey. I can't imagine driving up to Menodcino and not staying over night.

I think nevermind's idea of 3 days in San Francisco, 2 days in Napa/Sonoma and 2 days in Monterey/Carmel is excellent.

(You can easily do Alcatraz, walk along the Embarcadero from there to Fisherman's Wharf (although there's nothing to see at Ghirardelli - condos and shops, but you might want to have an Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista, where it was invented), walk up and down some of the famous steps and visit Coit Tower, visit Chinatown (Stockton Street - the "real" Chinatown, Grant Avenue - "tourist" Chinatown, North Beach (our "Little Italy") and maybe even Union Square (shopping)) in 1-1/2 days. Don't miss the Ferry Building, including the outdoor farmer's market and the indoor permanent market. How much more time you spend in the San Francisco area depends if you plan to do neighborhoods other than downtown (Hayes Valley, Union Street, Marina, Haight, Noe Valley, etc.), museums, redwoods (not in the city of course), whether you take a lot of time for breakfast and luncyh, etc.

We did a similar trip about four years ago; my best advice would be to group your San Francisco-based days together so that you can avoid renting a car while there--it is really an expensive and unecessary liability. Then rent a car from one of the downtown rental agencies and hit the road.

Our itinerary included flying into SF and cabbing it into the city to spend a few days; got transit passes and did buses, cable cars, street cars and walking to get around. Then we headed south to Monterey/Carmel, then east to Sequioa/King's Canyon and Yosemite, north to Lake Tahoe, then to Napa and back to the city.

I agree with other posters who recommend staying a night in Carmel/Monterey. There is too much to see and do there to make it just a day trip from San Francisco. Include a walk along the coastal hiking trail in Pacific Grove. I would highly recommend Point Lobos State Reserve (just south of Carmel). And also a drive on Highway 1 south of Point Lobos for spectacular coastal scenery (just go as far as you have the time to do, then turn around and come back).

Have fun!

Yes, perhaps drop the Mendocino idea for this trip. It is about 3 1/2 hrs from Napa and longer to drive from mendocino back to SF. You will do best to maximize your time in SF and spend the night in MOnterey/Carmel area. You can even do Napa Valley or Sonoma as a day trip if you want, as it is only about a 1 hour drive from SF. However, spending a night in the area will make it more enjoyable as well as easier to delve into the amazing restaurant possibilities.

yeh amazing dining like the french laundry with its boring service OTT service and really out of this world food . Really you will have fun going to the wineries but San Fran has wonderful shopping and food check the Michelin Guide for good dining.