We are planning a trip for 14 days, in the last part of September. We plan to spend about 4 days in San Fransico and then explore the area, returning to SF. I would appreciate any suggestions or advice anyone can give about the area. Sights to see, accomadations and places to eat. We enjoy a variety or things from nature to history. We are looking for moderately priced accomadations and restruants, but we also plan to splurge several times.

There have been almost as many postings on this subject as there are possibilities! In 14 days you can see a lot. 4 days in SF would be more than enough, unless you really love cities. North: Mendocino, Coast Redwoods. Northeast: Sonoma & Napa Valleys for great dining, wine tasting, biking, spas. East: The Motherlode Country and Lake Tahoe. South: Monterey & Carmel, Hwy. 1 to Big Sur - spectacular coastline (frequently fogged in during summer). It's all wonderful, so set your priorities, then ask for more detail here.

I just returned from a great trip to SF and N.California. Our trip started in SF with a stay at The Maxwell in the Union Square area. It was a great spot as long as your room is above the 5th floor - downtown street noise can get to you below that level. The hotel has some wonderful art works hanging that are done by one of their bellpersons, Jack Keating. Check him and his work out at the Maxwell. His larger pieces are hanging in The Rex which is just a few blocks away. Anyway, we had a couple of great meals of course! One of the best being at a very busy place in Little Italy, Micheangelo's. The food and atmosphere was great. After a few days in SF we headed north, taking the arduous Route 1 to the Timber Cove Inn outside of Jenner, right on the ocean. It was a fabulously quiet lodge with great sunsets, rooms with saunas, restaurant with good food albeit slow service. The lodge offers a great respite from the city with 25+ miles of hiking trails. We then hopped on to Hwy 101 and sped along (sometimes at 45 mph, sometimes at 60 mph) til we hit the Redwoods National Park. We didn't have much luck in accomodations - mostly mediocre places with high rates but the scenery makes up for all of the downsides!! One strange problem we ran into was the nonavailability of public restrooms. Like your mom told you when you were a kid, "try to go" whenever there is a restroom available because it might be the last one for sometime!! Have fun!!

I just returned from a trip to the Bay area.If you are spending time in San Francisco I strongling suggest you spend some time north of the city in Marin County.People who live in the city seem to take it for granted and forget about its existence, but Mt. Tamalpais State Park offers some of the most beautiful land in that part of California, and the views from the top are truly spectacular! You can either drive or hike(but remember, it's 2600 feet high). Muir Woods is very close. Check it out.I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Went to San francisco last year. What a blast!
Sights to see: Alcatraz, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Tam. Go to Sonoma and Napa for wine tasting out of this world! Try Sausalito; cut town on the water. Shops, good food, B&B's. Take a cable car ride, walk Lombard Street (crooked street). Must see Muir Woods. The list is endless. Have fun!