Hi All,

We'll be flying in to San Francisco (I have a conference there) in early May (5th) and we want to drive down to Santa Barbara, stay for 3 nights, and then head up the coast back to San Francisco. So far I've booked the 3 nights at The Eagle Inn (we have the Anacapa room). Then head up the coast to stay at Glen Oaks Motel at Big Sur for a couple of nights to do some hiking. Then finally up to San Francisco to stay at Parc55 hotel for 5 nights.

We'll have a car up until we arrive in San Francisco where we return the car to the airport after checking in.

Here's some questions and request for suggestions.

Santa Barbara:
-We want to do a day of wineries and maybe a visit to Solvang and Los Olivos (or do you think we should do these 2 town on our way out of SB up the coast to Big Sur (or is it so very out of the way?). Was thinking of lunch in Solvang and a glass of wine at a cafe in Los Olivos?
-Another day for Santa Barbara itself (what do you recommend we see/do, where to eat, near State street - or is there something we shouldn't miss?
-The last of the days we want to do a day trip to the Channel Islands to perhaps do some kayaking and hiking?

Big Sur:
-We've been here before and seen McWay Falls, hiked Limekiln State Park (which we loved), been to Nepenthe, stayed at treebones resort, seen the Henry Miller memorial, sat in the chairs at the river in the Big Sur River Inn, etc. Other things we need to see/do? More specifically, great easy to medium hikes?
-we missed Point Lobos before so do want to go see that on the way. We've stayed at both Carmel by the Sea and Monterrey (did some kayaking there too) so we'll probably miss it this time.

San Fran:
We'll be there for 5 nights.

Please recommend restaurant recommendations, things to see (minus the typical touristy stuff like Alcatras, Wharf, Golden Gate, Presidio, Sausalito and Tiburon, etc. since we've both been to the city before to do those things). We're more interested in little areas to visit that we can walk to like China town (what's the best restaurant to eat at there? - anywhere they have great crabs? Best Dim Sum?). Shows to see?. Things locals like to do?

A little bit about us:

We're mid 30's couple (no kids just yet), love nature and the outdoors (although not planning to do much of the hiking stuff once we get into San Francisco itself), into museum, art, theater, great food. Not big on sports (unless it's soccer for my hubby who's from the UK). Not big on zoo's or aquariums either. Mu hubby will be by himself during 2 of those days (while I'm in the conference) so I'm sure he'd like to go to some breweries if any near the vicinity of our hotel? He visited a garlic themed restaurant before (has stinky in the name perhaps?) and I want to check that out with him. We'll be there 3/10 to 3/15 - anything special going on we can check out? We also like festival type events. Would love to have a bit of the nightlife too - what's good for mid 30's folks? Any great jazz or something like that?

Any and all suggestions/responses are welcome and very much appreciated. Many thanks in advance!

Maria

Oh...and I LOVE seafood! Great little dives that aren't so pricey would also be good to know! Thanks again.

Here are some of my ideas about San Francisco

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35129049

Stu Dudley

Here's my trip report about a day trip we did along the coast (we live just south of SFO, and went as far as Nepenthe).

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...t-part-way.cfm

Also, and I'm sure it must be on Stu's list, I highly recommend a walk on the Coastal Trail at Land's End:

http://www.nrdc.org/greengate/outside/adv9.asp

You could have lunch at the Cliff House if you're hungry

http://www.cliffhouse.com/

Brewery Tour (reservations required) for a uniquely San Francisco beer:

http://www.anchorbrewing.com/about_us/tourinfo.htm

When in Santa Barbara, do lunch at Opal Restaurant on State Street. A friend and I drive up from L.A. area to do lunch there. Happy Travels!

You didn't get much about Santa Barbara, so I'll try to give you something at least.

You can visit Solvang and Los Olivos on your way north from Santa Barbara. You can take rt. 154 to Solvang and then go north to Los Olivos on an un-numbered road. Use Google maps for directions. I've been to Solvang within the last few years and it has evolved from a "quaint" Danish town to a faux quaint Danish tourist trap. I haven't been to Los Olivos, but I did see a Huell Howser show about it and it started with him standing in the middle of the street of the main intersection of the town with no cars going by. Then he visited a cafe which some people consider significant. That was about it.

I like Santa Barbara because they don't do handsprings to attract tourists. The city is primarily there to serve the residents of Santa Barbara and nearby communities. Tourism is a welcome addition to the city's revenues of course. Here's a list of things to do and see.
http://www.santabarbara.com/points_of_interest/

I like the Moreton Bay fig Tree.
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/sbtree.html

The original Sambo's restaurant is there. It's good for breakfast and they do serve stuff besides pancakes. If you're black (how would I know?) you might take offense at the name and its past connotations. Or you might not.
http://www.sambosrestaurant.com/

I live about an hour down the coast from Santa Barbara and certainly would not drive there to dine or for that matter just eat. I have been there many times to race at distances from 10K to the Marathon, and have occasionally stayed overnight for reasons that now escape me. Twice I have stayed at the original Motel 6 which is one block from the ocean. It used to be that you could see the ocean from a certain spot on the upper balcony, but the whole place has been remodeled, so that view may have disappeared. But I digress. Someone else will have to tell you about restaurants.

Santa Barbara:
Dinner at Zaytoon
Take a walk at Douglas Family Preserve
If you are there on a Saturday night go to the drum circle at Shoreline Park and learn to hula hoop
If there is a good concert at the SB Bowl, go there