You can get some GREAT pix of the Bay from the end of Pier 39.

Thee...you haven't seen the new Rolly Coster they built in UnSquare? I think they named it The Bum's Rush?

agree on doing the Ferry Building and Farmer's market in on a Saturday...great time.

Silicon Valley is really a sprawl and i wouldn't drive through it just to drive through it unless you want to see the HQ of Google or Apple or something just to say you did. I live in the area and would never recommend a visitor to drive through silicon valley.

A different suggestion would be to stop and eat at one of the Silicon Valley or Peninsula neighborhoods on your way to or from SF to Monterey. It is about 1.5 hours into your 2.5 hour drive and would be a good break in the drive. I might suggest stopping in downtown Palo Alto (University Avenue) and walking the small downtown and grabbing dinner and then continuing on to SF. That might give you more of a feel for one of the Silicon Valley towns. Other cool little downtown is Mountain View (Castro Street) with lots of great ethnic restaurants.

just a thought...

Also...make reservations at some great restaurants way in advance...SF is a great foodie town but it is also tough to get into the best spots.

I don't know your budget or your tastes but here are some popular (and very good) San Francisco restaurants:
- Frances
- A16
- NOPA
- Zuni Cafe
- Kokkari
- Slanted Door
- Perbacco
- Boulevard
- Delfina
- Bix
- Piperade
- Waterbar or Epic Roasthouse

I would put all the spots above in the $$$ category...if you're looking for $$$$ category there's a whole additional list of places.

Vova has given you great advice (except that I'd put both Waterbar and Epic Roasthouse in the $$$$ category, and not worth it either, except for the killer views).

There is a GREAT Middle Eastern restaurant in Sunnyvale (vova, I'm posting this for you as much as for the OP) called Dish-Dash.

Dish Dash is great - been there a couple of times. I kept my list to SF only. if the original poster wants peninsula/south bay suggestions, i've got plenty of those as well.

i haven't been to epic (been to waterbar and enjoyed the views) but threw it in for the tourist factor. i too have heard the food is just decent and prices inflated for the views and for the money spent by kuleto on the finishes.

You know, with Twitter & Yelp already HQ'd in SOMA
and another one announced yesterday over in South Beach,
SF may a new, emerging tech center.
What will it be called ?
Social Media Gulch ?


R5

tknechtges: you'll like the Ruth Chris in San Francisco. I have friends who like to dine at various Ruth Chris' all over, just like you, and they say the San Francisco one is one of the better ones. Would be interested to know your opinion. Will you be writing a trip report?

If you're driving down from SF to Monterey, you can also go along the coast on Highway 1 and avoid Silicon Valley altogether. The coastal drive is especially nice if the weather is good and you can look out to sea.

Or you can drive the more scenic Interstate 280 to Highway 101, cross over on Highway 156 to Highway 1.

Or you could go down one way and return the other way.


We just had lunch the other day at Half Moon Bay on the coast at Sam's Chowder House. They have a terrific lobster roll.

http://www.samschowderhouse.com/


If you're going to be movoing to San Jose, you will have plenty of time to explore all around this state. Your revised trip plan looks a lot less hectic and a lot more enjoyable.

Have a great trip!

Check out the Ferry Building Farmers Market. They have it 3 days a week. But Saturdays are my favorite.

Tuesday: 10am–2pm
Thursday: 10 am - 2pm
Saturday: 8am-2pm

http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace....ers_market.php

Thank you all so much! I just got back from a week in Maine today, so I am catching up on the posts.

I will definitely mark down the Farmer's Market. We love going to those -- that will be a definite must. Also, the restaurants provided will be great for me to look up. We always try to do at least two really nice dinners while on vacation -- and we love to try all different types of foods.

I really appreciate everyone's help. I like the looks of the new itinerary better. Having never been to this area of the country before (we love Southern CA), we are so looking forward to coming to SF. I really appreciate everyone's time to give the great advice you gave! I'll be sure to let you know how we did when we get back!

>>

Well, Southern CA and Northern CA may as well be two different countries (there is nothing remotely similar about the two areas )

"Sunday – Monterey; Carmel by the Sea (drive through San Jose)"

I know you say you may move to the Silicon Valley sometime and this is sort of a scouting trip. But it is a huge area and San Jose is just one part. It is very likely even if you do move there --you wouldn't end up in SJ proper. There really isn't away to scout out or even 'see' San Jose enroute to Monterey.

Silicon Valley is a very spread out place and you'd really need 2 or 3 days staying IN San Jose to see anything useful for your future plans.

The detour into SJ could add 2 or more hours to your drive south and you wouldn't really learn anything about the area -- except that the traffic can be a bear.

Your time is already very short for Carmel/Monterey - skip SJ . . . .

I live in downtown San Francisco and also have a home in Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. My comments:


Tuesday – Arrive at 3 pm. Coming from east coast, so we don’t have anything really planned this day as we don’t know how tired we’ll be. (prepare for traffic driving into the city. It can get real busy around 4pm)

Wednesday – Alcatraz tour & Angel Island tour. (tickets purchased)

Thursday – Yosemite for the day ( I would save this for next trip. It is a long drive and will leave you with limited time in the city)

Friday – Monterey & Carmel by the Sea (Another long day. It is 2 hours to drive to Monterey and 2 hours back in the evening)

Saturday – Sightseeing in SF – Lombard Street; Fisherman’s Wharf; China Town / Reservations for Ruth’s Chris (personal favorite)

Sunday – Napa Valley (we aren’t wine drinkers – so we are just planning to go to see the beautiful scenery)

Monday – San Jose (husband’s an engineer, wants to see Silicon Valley) / tickets to a Giants game (already have)( There is nothing to really see in Silicon Valley. It is a lot of buildings. I work in the area and it is not a good use of your time. Skip this one)

Tuesday -- Muir Woods & Sausalito (Golden Gate Bridge)
(you can drive the GG Bridge on the way to Napa area. Combine the Muir Woods and bridge drive then head over to Napa to drive around. This saves another day)

I would stay in SF area a few days and do all of that then drive to Monterey Peninsula and stay there a few nights. The Bay Area traffic is bad. You are spending too much time in a car. You will get stuck in traffic somewhere...guaranteed.