If you go to the Schulz Museum (at north end of Santa Rosa) the north end of the Sonoma Valley is not far away (look for Hwy 12 on the map). It is a really beautiful part of the Valley and there are some great wineries up there.
We like Wellington.

So you could either spend all or some of your time north of the Golden Gate. Search the archives for other suggestions. If you go to Muir Woods, try to get there when it opens in the morning. Muire Beach is not great for swimming but it is pretty (Keep valuables on you or in the trunk). There is a fabulous view from a few spots along the Marin coast, including Marin Headlands (just north of the GG bridge, and Muir Beach Overlook (a brief drive north of Muir Beach.

Healdsburg, north of Santa Rosa, is a great little town with lots of wine and a great bakery called Downtown.

If you don't need a fancy hotel, you can find some in Santa Rosa a a few in Healdsburg.

Chowhound.com is a great place to ask for restaurant recommendations.

My advice get some good shoes and pund the pavement! walking through SF is a fantastic site seeing adventure.

My advice get some good shoes and pound the pavement! walking through SF is a fantastic site seeing adventure.

Boudin's Bread Bakery at Fisherman's Wharf serves the BEST clam chowder in sourdough bread bowl. It is a must!

>>Boudin's Bread Bakery at Fisherman's Wharf serves the BEST clam chowder <<

Better than Sam's ???? Sam's is a little more "real SF atmosphere" also.

Stu Dudley

Try the Buena Vista Cafe (between Ghiradelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf) for an excellent Irish Coffee.
Check out a book, Stairway Walks of San Francisco. One of the best ways to experience SF is on foot! Walk along the Embarcadero. Walk through Chinatown. Eat at Hunan Home's on Jackson Street. Browse City Lights Bookstore. have a Cappucino at Tosca's. (This is not coffe, but an alcoholic beverage with steamed hot chocolate from their classic machine - very old San Francisco-ish). See Beach Blanket Babylon. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge - it's usually windy, sometimes strenuous as a bike ride.
Avoid driving; use the trollies. The F line is good. Walk as much as you can.
I agree that you might as well stay in SF as there is much to explore; otherwise move your entire destination north to Napa or Sonoma or a coastal village.
Have a good time!

Oops - Tadich has the best chowder - not Sams.

Stu Dudley