When we get to San Fran next week, we'll be taking a tour to Sonama/Napa, also the 17 mi. drive Monterey/Carmel. Does anyone know of a few restaurants in those areas where we'll be stopping for lunch? It said in the brochure we'll be stopping in Calistoga along the Old West main street. We'll be stopping for lunch in Monterey probably near the aquarium. There's no mention of dinner on the Monterey tour even though it's an 11 hour tour.

Check out the S.F. board of www.chowhounds.com

The aquarium has very good food. We always have lunch there. When we are in a hurry, there is the cafeteria line and the pasta is pretty decent. Otherwise there is a restaurant with excellent fish. It is the best place to eat as the views are wonderful and you won't waste time going out of the aquarium to eat. If dinner is not part of the tour itinerary, an excellent restraunt in Pacific Grove is Fish Wife. It is next to Asiolmar beach and you can reach it by taxi or bicycle. You can rent bicycles across the street and down a bit from the aquarium. There is a bike path in front of the aquarium that goes through Pacific Grove to Asiolmar. It is an easy ride and can fill up those 11 hours very nicely.

That's chowhound.com, no 's'. Calistoga questions go on the SF Bay Area board, Monterey questions go on the California board.

I took the Monterey tour with Greyline. You will be dropped off at the aquarium and it will be up to you to eat or to see the aquarium and surrounding area. I remember we made a quick stop at the cafeteria, and the food was very good, just very little time.

Dinner was different, plenty of time in Carmel. I don't remember where we ate, probably the driver recommended something.