As a follow up to a previous post, the trip has been booked, but now we need to finalized the details! Two mid-20's couples are traveling to San Fransisco from December 29-January 3. We need some sightseeing suggestions, some hotel ideas (anywhere from the $150-$250 range) in nice areas. Maybe some day trips (we will have a rental car). We know that we definitely want to go up to Napa Valley. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

The Sonoma Valley and Muir Woods are good places to visit.
We like the drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea via Half Moon Bay (Highway 1).
The drive on Highway 1 between Carmel and Morro Bay is spectacular.
The Hearst Castle at San Simeon, just north of Cambria, is a popular tourist destination.

For the past 8 years or so, my wife & I have spent New Years Eve dining at various restaurants on or near Chestnut Street in the Marina district (between Fillmore & Broderick). We usually finish up with dinner activities around 10 or 11, then we drive through various neighborhoods in the City to see what is going on (Union St, Haight, Noe Valley, etc). BY FAR the Chestnut/Marina area is the most active - with people your age. Lots of restaurants, bars, etc. Make a reservation at some "modest" place, then just hit any bar that seems interesting to you. We may dine at Isa thus year. North Beach is active too - but not quite the scene there is on Chestnut.

Here are some other ideas
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049

Stu Dudley

I love Hearst Castle, just be sure to check out the prices for the different tours.

You did not indicate whether Dec 29 or Jan 3 are also travel days. Assuming they are not, I still wouldn't travel as far south as Hearst Castle if you want to spend time in San Francisco and also the wine country. Hearst Castle is closed on Jan 1 - along with most everything else (including wineries). The wine country can be a day-trip, but Hearst Castle is at least 1 overnight - more likely 2 nights if you want to stop in Carmel, Pt Lobos, & Big Sur on the way. By late Dec, daylight hours will be between 7:30am & 5pm so your coast viewing will be limited.

Stu Dudley

Thee Stuuuuuu...
We always say if we didn't go to Kauai for NYE, we'd love to hit UnSq or The Marina/'nut as you suggested.

What are some restaurants everyone suggests? Maybe a good seafood, mexican, italian, or sushi place? Also, I just read somewhere that S.F. is big on dim-sum. I've never had it, but would love to try it. Any suggestions on restaurants for dim-sum?

Here is a current thread on recommended dim sum restaurants. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-francisco.cfm

and another with North Beach restaurant recommendations. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...restaurant.cfm

I like exploring North Beach, going to City Lights bookstore, Spec's Bar across the street, and old cafés (Caffe Trieste or Vesuvius–there are several), and Mario's Bohemian Cigar Shop. http://www.northbeachshop.com/pages/marios.html

Here's a guide to New Year's Eve events http://www.sfstation.com/nye/

and another that has free and cheap things to do in the city. http://sf.funcheap.com/

Agree with Stu, Hearst Castle is not really a day trip. I would stick with Muir Woods and wine country. Parking at most SF hotels is expensive ($40-50 range per night). Do you need a car the whole time you are there? I would get the car for possibly two days for your trips out of SF. All the major car rental agencies have offices in the city and the cars are easy to pick-up.

Has anyone ever stayed at the Westin San Francisco Market Street? Is it in a good spot?

Never stayed there (I live here), but yes, it's in a very good/convenient location. It's just off Market Street, walking distance to Union Square, MOMA, San Francisco Centre, even Chinatown, North Beach, the financial district and the waterfront.