Please help plan our trip to San Fran, Sonoma, Carmel and Big Sur
 

Hello All! My husband and I are in our early 30's from NYC and we have a wedding to attend in Big Sur in May. Since we've never been to California, we would like to visit a few places while we're out there. Below is our tentative itinerary. Can you tell me if it makes sense logistically and if we're spending enough nights/days in each place? We can stay an extra night or two if we need to. Also, are we missing any important places? This is my first post on Fodor's and I greatly appreciate your help!!
Thanks!

Sunday - arrive and sleep in San Fran
Monday - do a day bus tour of Sonoma but sleep in San Fran
Tuesday - tour San Fran
Wednesday - tour San Fran
Thursday - rent a car and drive down pacific coast 1 and do the 17 mile drive, sleep in Carmel
Friday - tour Carmel, stop at Point Lobos, then drive down for rehearsal dinner and sleep in Big Sur
Saturday - wedding in Big Sur
Sunday - tour and sleep Big Sur
Monday - drive back to San Fran and fly out at night

I think your itinerary sounds very "doable" and reasonable. It will go by in flash, so savor every moment and take plenty of pictures. You should have some nice weather in May.

A bus tour of Sonoma is a good idea - especially if you're going to do some wine tasting.

I'll give you my thoughts, based on what my husband I did a few years ago (not a wedding trip, however). I would stay overnight in Sonoma county, just to give you a bit more time there. There are many comments about places to stay (my husband and I stayed at a B&BB in Glenn Ellen). And I would also visit Muir Woods (on the way to or from Sonoma).

Try to have lunch at Nepenthe when you're traveling on Highway 1. The views are incredible and the burger was delicious. Take a look here:



http://nepenthebigsur.com/

Sounds like you have an excellent itinerary. If you stop at Point Lobos (highly recommended), you can park on the road and walk in. But make sure that you lock any valuables in your trunk (there have been occasional break-ins).
Nepenthe is definitely a great place for a sunset drink and snack. I don't agree that the burger is anything special - except the super-high price!
For a great breakfast in Big Sur, go to Deetjen's or the Big Sur Bakery. Fantastic!
The River Inn has live music on the deck (near the river) on Sundays - lots of fun.

How much was that burger, Giulietta? I don't remember!

I think it's about $14.00! It's good (not great, but good), but you're paying for the view you get while eating it!!

That's a bargain by NYC standards! No wonder I thought it was a great deal. The view is truly wonderful.

Try to find the time to visit the Monterey Aquarium either on the way or on the way back. http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/
Sounds like a good plan for attending a wedding.

I really liked Carmel we stayed at Doris days hotel. If you go as far south as Hearst Castle, that can be great to look around and moonstone beach is a fab place to stay ( and dinner at the Seachest is a must)

Thanks everyone! Do you think we need a night in Sonoma? i'm a wine drinker but my husband is not so that's why we opted for the day tour. Do you think that's a wise choice?

If you already have a place in SF - it might be easiest just to take the day tour to Sonoma/Wine Country and return. You will see/experience plenty doing that - and be back in the familiar comfort of your room that night. Here is one company and there are others. http://www.beauwinetours.com/sonoma_...ine_tours.html

Also in Monterrey - Steinbeck's Cannery Row is a must - and you will be right there when you visit the Aquarium. Plenty of cute restaurants there - with great views of the ocean.

And I am also a big fan of Hearst Castle - and it's also a beautiful drive from Big Sur to Hearst Castle/San Simeon - and don't miss the Elephant Seal Beach two miles before you reach the turnoff for Hearst Castle. http://www.hearstcastle.org/

Uno Mas: Nepenthene is a great stop - even if you don't partake of the tres cher burger. They have good coffee - and as I recall - free refills? Or fifty cents, whatever. :)

Thanks for the great suggestions!! I am so excited for our trip! I can't wait!

I think the day-trip to Sonoma is fine, especially since your husband is not a wine drinker and you have a tight itinerary.

You are not going far enough south to visit Hearst Castle, so I wouldn't add that to the already packed itinerary that has been laid out.

Save Hearst Castle for another visit when you can see the Central Coast of CA.

I second Giulietta's recommendation of breakfast at Deetjen's. A very rustic, unique Big Sur experience with good food.

In San Francisco I highly recommend the night tour of Alacatraz! It is a great ride out to the island, the tour gets going at about dusk and it is dark by time it is over and definately a little creepy inside the jail. The ride back in the boat is simply beautiful with the lights of San Francisco in front of you.

Word of advice...book in advance as they sell out ... this is the most popular tour they do.

Ooops...forgot to add: In N' Out Burgers! Have them once and you will be hooked. My teens still talk about them.

Not far enough south to visit Hearst Castle? They are already at Big Sur and it's what - another scenic 60 miles?. From Big Sur - you could easily do a day trip down to Hearst Castle, take a 2 hour tour and be back that evening.

Here's a driving guide: http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/cac...to-Big-Sur.htm

And In N'Out Burgers are tasty - as are the fries - but it's just fast food - nothing really gourmet. The likes of Sandra Bullock made them newsworthy as she would just eat the patty. They will cook your burger to order though.