San Fran to Pacific Northwest
 

Hi all, we are heading out on vacation in a couple of weeks. We are flying to San Francisco and spending a long weekend there. Then we head to Napa Valley for a couple of days, drive to Portland, OR and on up to Seattle. I need some help. Any suggestions for:

1. Don't miss restaurants in SF. Anything from funky lunch to pricey dinner.
2. We are scheduled for dinner at Mustard Grill in Napa for dinner. Good choice?
3. An ideal stopping point from Napa to Portland for an overnight.

We've got the rest covered but any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

Sure. Come visit us in
Ashland overnight, see a play, drink some wine and eat a good meal. :)
http://www.ashlandchamber.com/Splash.asp

If you are driving straight up I-5, Ashland is the most interesting town to stop for a night and the most celebrated natural attraction is Crater Lake, which would be a detour off I-5.

(I gather you are not interested in seeing the spectacular Oregon Coast or that you plan to explore that region at some time other than when you drive from San Francisco to Portland.)

HTtY

I would also say, Ashland is the best stop if you are looking for someplace charming...look into the Ashland Shakespeare Festival because you might be able to take advantage while you are there and it's worth it. Parts of the Oregon Coast are very beautiful; we are partial to the Cannon Beach area, which is close to Portland.

Driving to Portland via the Redwoods and the coast (US 101) will take around 3 hours longer than via I-5. It will be much more scenic, interesting, and much cooler than the high heat (could be 100F+) you're likely to encounter in places like the Rogue Valley.

But if you've seen it and just want to pedal-metal the trip, then Ashland is indeed the spot to stop. Note accommodations in Ashland during the Shakespeare festival (and mid-August is close to the peak demand period) can be scarce and pricey. http://www.osfashland.org/ if interested.

If you decide the coast is an acceptable option, then look at Bandon OR as a good overnight spot; it's where we typically stay on SF - Seattle (or v.v.) 2-day itineraries.

San Francisco has MANY excellent restaurants - at least tell us what kind of food you like, where you staying, and whether you're willing to "travel" to get to dinner (meaning to a different part of the city).

What are your plans during the days in San Francisco? (will help with lunch suggestions)

I figured if they were doing Napa, they'd head over to 5 via Calistoga and Hwy 20 to Williams. The green show before the plays is free and always a good time and we do like our wine :)
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-...,1555537.story

Another vote for Ashland. It's very charming. :)

Hi everybody! Thanks for the feedback. I guess I should have been more detailed. For the trip to Portland, we are driving up the coast. Thought it would be nice to see that scenery even if it is longer.

And for SF, we are staying at the Hyatt Regency on the Embaracadaro. We are willing to go anywhere in the city. We eat anything and everything. I have been to SF a hundred times for work, but never to really explore so restaurants that are more local and so "business traveler" would be great.

If you're driving up the coast, Ashland is out of the way, but you won't be disappointed by the scenery up the coast. It's spectacular!

Staying at the Hyatt Regency, you have plenty of good restaurants in walking distance of your hotel.

I haven't been there for awhile, but Perbacco (a block away) is excellent upscale Italian. Their sister casual restaurant, Barbacco is also good.

Outstanding hamburger (the best I've had in the city) at Brickhouse Cafe on Brannan. Other good food as well (I had a very tasty turkey pot pie there recently).

Very good Thai at Lers Ros (two locations - one on Larkin in the Tenderloin and one on Hayes).

Excellent and very popular upscale Vietnamese with a view of the bay - Slanted Door (in the Ferry Bldg - across the street from your hotel -- must have advance reservations).

Very nice new tapas place - Coqueta at Pier 5 on the Embarcadero (Michael Chiarello restaurant)

Chinese - R&G Lounge on Kearny St. in Chinatown.

Pizza - of course, many opinions, but our favorite is Delfina (the branch in the Mission preferably).

Oh, and if you go to Delfina, have the Tricolore salad - the dressing is take-home-a-bottle good. Also the short ribs arancina, the meatballs and the grilled cauliflower.

Other excellent casual Italian - Cotogna near Jackson Square (one of my favorites, actually).

All of those places sound fantastic. Thanks so much! Now I need to figure out how to fit them all into one weekend.

Two other restaurants within walking distance are the Slanted Door and Boulevard, both with excellent chefs.

I would also recommend the Tadich Grill, California's oldest restaurant. Excellent fish and interesting atmosphere. It's still packed at lunch, with folks waiting for a seat as they don't take reservations.

I enjoyed going to Brindisi in the Financial District
www.brindisicucina.com

Another one I liked is Izzy's Steakhouse
www.izzyssteaks.com/ The creamed spinach was outstanding....and I hate creamed spinach. :)

<i>[What is] An ideal stopping point from Napa to Portland for an overnight.

I guess I should have been more detailed. For the trip to Portland, we are driving up the coast.</i>

If you are going to make the trip up 101 with one stop, Brookings is about the half-way point. There, all the rooms at the Best Western Beachfront Inn have ocean views, and Superfly Martini Bar and Grill is a very popular local hangout that is hard to forget.

HTtY

Either Brookings, Gold Beach or maybe Coos Bay.
If you continue up the coast, stop at the Tillamook Cheese factory and stop in Cannon Beach to see Haystack Rock.

Hi Gardyloo, I'll be in Bandon for a few days while DH plays golf. Any recommendations on fun things to do? I figure I'll spend some time walking the beach, looking at birds.

Enjoy the beach, birds, walks. There are a couple of pretty good restaurants in the cute little "old town" on the waterfront.