Hi,

My wife and I and another couple are flying into SFO and arriving before noon. We plan on driving down to Monterey/Carmel, spending two nights, and then up to downtown SFO for a night, then two nights in in Sonoma, and a night at the airport before a flight home out of SFO.

Any suggestions on this itinerary? We want to see the beautiful coast and sights, drink some wine, enjoy nice meals, etc.

Too much driving? Your thoughts?

Thanks,
Dave Zemens
Rochester, Michigan

I would go directly from Monterey to Sonoma- stay in San Francisco at the end of the trip -

I would divide my time between Monterey, and this would include visiting local wineries in that area; and San Francisco. Too much checking in, packing, unpacking in your itinerary.

http://www.montereywines.org/

Agree with the above. Drink your wine in Monterey County. A friend recently opened a tasting room in Carmel.

http://www.paraisovineyards.com

It appears from your plan that you have little interest in spending much time in San Francisco. If that's not the case and you do want to see something of the city, as you have 6 nights, I agree that going from Monterey directly to Sonoma makes the most sense. Then 2 nights in or near San Francisco before you leave.

Another possibility, since you mention seeing the coast, would be to spend 4 nights in the Monterey/Central Coast area and do your winery visits in proximity to the Big Sur coastline, one of the most beautiful on earth.

We just did a 2/2/2 trip: 2 nights in Booneville, 2 in Albion, and 2 in Sonoma. First time we ever moved that much, and to my surprise it actually wasn't bad. Plus, driving in that general area is so gorgeous, which helps.

But I would do 2 nights in Monterey/Carmel (don't forget Pacific Grove!); 2 in Sonoma (which town are you thinking?); and 2 in SF at the end. Just go to the airport the morning of your flight--staying near the airport is such a waste of time, IMO, althogh the town near SFO are very nice.

Sorry ladies, I didn't read your contributions closely enough. I hate when that happens. On the other hand, maybe the 3rd time's the charm.

I also agree your itinerary is too hectic with little time to enjoy where you are. Do either Carmel/San Francisco or Sonoma/San Francisco.

Friends who are wine drinkers love the Sonoma area, but from your comments the coast sounds better suited to your interests. Either way have fun.

Thanks for the quick suggestions. I am starting to think maybe we bit off more than we can chew, perhaps, but need to check in with my wife and travel partners and see what they think.

The distances are not really very great, so I do not think that Sonoma/Monterey/SF is too much. We do that much driving pretty routinely, and weather won't be a factor.

Followup to say that two nights in Paso Robles, two in Pacific Grove and two in San Francisco downtown worked out perfectly! Great trip!

Please do a trip report. Glad it worked out!