San Francisco - Healdsburg Itinerary Help
Jul 31st, 2007, 02:05 PM
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San Francisco - Healdsburg Itinerary Help
Hi Everyone,
My husband and I are taking a trip to San Francisco and north, and I was hoping for some input on our itinerary. We will have a car, and I am a bit overwhelmed by all there is to do, so I was hoping you all might be able to help me narrow it down. Here is our itinerary so far:
1) Day one: Arrive at noon, rent car and drive to the Pelican Inn in Muir Beach (2 nights). On our way I was thinking of stopping in sausalito for lunch and sightseeing - would you all recommend that? What would you recommend seeing? The bay model? Or shops?
2) Day two: Muir Woods hike in the morning
Our afternoon is pretty open - I wanted to do a picnic somewhere and perhaps get to the muir beach overlook, point bonita lightnouse, or fort cronkhite (my husband is kind of a history buff). This is the part of the trip I am most overwhelmed about -- What's the best things to do in the golden gate recreation area?
Also, we were looking for a restaurant recommendation for that night in that area - I can't seem to find things on the internet about restaurants in this area (it's my birthday
)
3. Day three - move hotels to the Dry Creek Inn in Healdsburg (3 nights).
I was thinking we may do a hot air balloon ride this afternoon - has anyone done that? Is it worth the cost? I know it's beautiful up there and I have never done that before, so I was interested, but don't want to do it if it's a waste of time.
We have dinner reservations at the Dry Creek Kitchen that night.
4. Day Four: Wine tasting during the day (by car), we may eat at the Fig cafe that night.
5. Day Five: Bike tour wine tasting along dry creek road. We're renting bikes and would love suggestions of the 'off the beaten path' wineries for either day four or five.
6. Days Six through 10: We could either spend more time in wine country or go right to the city - we're moving hotels this day to the Andrews Hotel in Union Square (for four nights).
We bought tickets for the alcatraz night tour one night, and we plan on using the www.sfcityguides.org for a couple of tours as they seem pretty cool. Have any of you been on those tours? Any recommendations?
Also, it's our first anniversary while we're in SanFrancisco, so we're (again) looking for a restaurant recommendation...
Thank you all in advance for your help. I promise to post a detailed trip report when we return.
Thanks again,
Casey
My husband and I are taking a trip to San Francisco and north, and I was hoping for some input on our itinerary. We will have a car, and I am a bit overwhelmed by all there is to do, so I was hoping you all might be able to help me narrow it down. Here is our itinerary so far:
1) Day one: Arrive at noon, rent car and drive to the Pelican Inn in Muir Beach (2 nights). On our way I was thinking of stopping in sausalito for lunch and sightseeing - would you all recommend that? What would you recommend seeing? The bay model? Or shops?
2) Day two: Muir Woods hike in the morning
Our afternoon is pretty open - I wanted to do a picnic somewhere and perhaps get to the muir beach overlook, point bonita lightnouse, or fort cronkhite (my husband is kind of a history buff). This is the part of the trip I am most overwhelmed about -- What's the best things to do in the golden gate recreation area?
Also, we were looking for a restaurant recommendation for that night in that area - I can't seem to find things on the internet about restaurants in this area (it's my birthday
)3. Day three - move hotels to the Dry Creek Inn in Healdsburg (3 nights).
I was thinking we may do a hot air balloon ride this afternoon - has anyone done that? Is it worth the cost? I know it's beautiful up there and I have never done that before, so I was interested, but don't want to do it if it's a waste of time.
We have dinner reservations at the Dry Creek Kitchen that night.
4. Day Four: Wine tasting during the day (by car), we may eat at the Fig cafe that night.
5. Day Five: Bike tour wine tasting along dry creek road. We're renting bikes and would love suggestions of the 'off the beaten path' wineries for either day four or five.
6. Days Six through 10: We could either spend more time in wine country or go right to the city - we're moving hotels this day to the Andrews Hotel in Union Square (for four nights).
We bought tickets for the alcatraz night tour one night, and we plan on using the www.sfcityguides.org for a couple of tours as they seem pretty cool. Have any of you been on those tours? Any recommendations?
Also, it's our first anniversary while we're in SanFrancisco, so we're (again) looking for a restaurant recommendation...
Thank you all in advance for your help. I promise to post a detailed trip report when we return.
Thanks again,
Casey
Jul 31st, 2007, 04:41 PM
#2
Dear casey:
I have taken several of the SF city tours: Ferry Building (rating B), Naughty & Baudy, prostitution history(rating C, great stories,but not much to see), China Town(rating A+) and the Palace Hotel (rating A).
We are partial to the Dry Creek Vineyard on Lambert Bridge Road. They buy wine grapes from us for their Dry Chenin Blanc, plus they are friends.
Good luck and have fun.
MY
I have taken several of the SF city tours: Ferry Building (rating B), Naughty & Baudy, prostitution history(rating C, great stories,but not much to see), China Town(rating A+) and the Palace Hotel (rating A).
We are partial to the Dry Creek Vineyard on Lambert Bridge Road. They buy wine grapes from us for their Dry Chenin Blanc, plus they are friends.
Good luck and have fun.
MY
Jul 31st, 2007, 05:24 PM
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I think The Fig restaurant is in the town of Sonoma. You might like to stay in Hbg and eat at another restaurant instead of doing more driving. The Dry Creek Inn is a motel, and has no connection to the Dry Creek Kitchen Restaurant, which is part of Hotel Healdsburg. Walk around the town square, and you'll find lots of wonderful restaurants. If you go see Dry Creek Vineyards, also visit Preston on W. Dry Creek.
Jul 31st, 2007, 06:02 PM
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I would skip the Girl and the Fig. Have dinner at Willi's in Healdsburg. You can make a reservation at www.opentable.com Look at the reviews on www.tripadvisor.com
Another fun place to eat is Santi's in Geyserville. Not that long a drive and definitely an area to visit!
Another fun place to eat is Santi's in Geyserville. Not that long a drive and definitely an area to visit!
Aug 1st, 2007, 02:57 AM
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Casey, I don't know when your trip is, but I have reservations for a hot air balloon trip next week, out of Santa Rosa. I can let you know whether it was worth it or not around the 13th. When researching, I didn't find many hot air balloon trip reviews in this forum. I'm not sure why, but if you can wait I'll let you know.
Aug 1st, 2007, 04:25 AM
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Other good restaurants in Healdsburg are Bistro Ralph and Zin Restaurant (in town, more casual but good food). Or Madrona Manor, out of town but not too far on Westside Road--it's a little more formal.
A lovely place with American style food in Marin is Lark Creek Inn in Larkspur, but it's a bit of a drive from Muir Beach (the road to Muir Beach can be a little tricky at night, winding with the risk of animals on the road, that sort of thing).
The views from The Golden Gate National Recreation Area are stunning. It's a great drive.
The shops in Sausalito can be very touristy, even tacky. I think the shops in downtown Mill Valley are more tasteful, then, again, I don't know what you would be shopping for. Either way, the prices will be higher than at shops in the city.
If your husband is interested in history, don't miss Fort Point in S.F. and the nearby Palace of Fine Arts, which was originally built for the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915. As these are both close to the Golden Gate Bridge you can easily visit them on your way out of the city or on your way back to the city.
San Francisco also has several beautiful museums that are well worth visiting. With so little time, I recommend the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park--the collection is not so great but the building and its setting is spectacular. You won't even need to go in. The de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is also worth a visit. The collection is excellent, it has the largest collection of American art west of the Mississippi and a huge collection of Oceanic art, as well as impressive collections of decorative arts and crafts, textiles and costumes. The building is new and striking, built by award-winning architects Herzog and Meuron, and offers one of the city's best viewing spots from its tower.
A lovely place with American style food in Marin is Lark Creek Inn in Larkspur, but it's a bit of a drive from Muir Beach (the road to Muir Beach can be a little tricky at night, winding with the risk of animals on the road, that sort of thing).
The views from The Golden Gate National Recreation Area are stunning. It's a great drive.
The shops in Sausalito can be very touristy, even tacky. I think the shops in downtown Mill Valley are more tasteful, then, again, I don't know what you would be shopping for. Either way, the prices will be higher than at shops in the city.
If your husband is interested in history, don't miss Fort Point in S.F. and the nearby Palace of Fine Arts, which was originally built for the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915. As these are both close to the Golden Gate Bridge you can easily visit them on your way out of the city or on your way back to the city.
San Francisco also has several beautiful museums that are well worth visiting. With so little time, I recommend the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park--the collection is not so great but the building and its setting is spectacular. You won't even need to go in. The de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is also worth a visit. The collection is excellent, it has the largest collection of American art west of the Mississippi and a huge collection of Oceanic art, as well as impressive collections of decorative arts and crafts, textiles and costumes. The building is new and striking, built by award-winning architects Herzog and Meuron, and offers one of the city's best viewing spots from its tower.
Nov 25th, 2010, 07:43 PM
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FYI:
The Fig Cafe is not the same as the girl and the fig
which is in the town of Sonoma.
http://www.thegirlandthefig.com/
The Fig Cafe is in Glen Ellen
about 5 miles from the girl and the fig
http://www.thefigcafe.com/
Same owner.
R5
The Fig Cafe is not the same as the girl and the fig
which is in the town of Sonoma.
http://www.thegirlandthefig.com/
The Fig Cafe is in Glen Ellen
about 5 miles from the girl and the fig
http://www.thefigcafe.com/
Same owner.
R5
Nov 25th, 2010, 07:46 PM
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Also, Santi has left Geyserville and moved down into
northern Santa Rosa.
http://www.santirestaurant.com/
R5
northern Santa Rosa.
http://www.santirestaurant.com/
R5
Feb 24th, 2011, 11:04 AM
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True, debit, but some of the restaurants mentioned in '07
have mis-information, which I corrected last Nov.2010 AFTER
wanderfully bookmarked it 2 days earlier.
People do use these old threads for future trips...
R5
have mis-information, which I corrected last Nov.2010 AFTER
wanderfully bookmarked it 2 days earlier.
People do use these old threads for future trips...
R5
Feb 24th, 2011, 11:52 AM
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you are of course correct, R5. Folks do happen upon old threads, and it was good of you to correct the errors on this one. I think that usually, most folks use newer ones, but old ones can be valid - as long as info is no longer accurate [closings, declines in ratings etc].
I was really king of doing a tongue in cheeck for the comment "have a great trip" comment.
I was really king of doing a tongue in cheeck for the comment "have a great trip" comment.
