Celebrating our 10th anniversary...here's our plan:
-fly in to sfo, 1.5 days in sfo
-2.5 days in napa area (wineries)
-3.5 days going to mendocino coast and then back to sfo---where should we stop each night? and, any good day spas you can recommend---ones with natural hot springs and the like?
-1.5 days in SFO


Throughout the trip, we are looking for good day hikes (1-4 hours).

Also, we're planning to sleep in a rented minivan--anyone have any experience doing this?

R

Hi remdog, a poster yesterday got upset at me because I did not understand her questions about visiting San Francisco but I will take one more chance with you as I am not sure I understand your questions.

OK, You are flying into SFO.
When you say 1.5 day in SFO do you mean 1.5 days in the City of San Francisco? SFO is the abbreviation for the San Francisco airport but not for the City of San Francisco.

Then you are going to the Napa area and on to Mendicino. Then when you say you are going back to SFO do you mean the airport (SFO) or the City of San Francisco?

Also, your question regarding sleeping in a rented minivan, do you mean that you intend to do this your entire trip including in the City of San Francisco?

Just asking these questions so hopefully some here can help you with your 10th wedding anniversary trip. And congratulations to both of you on your 10th anniversary!!! And welcome to California.

By SFO, I mean San Francisco (just 2 lazy to write it!).

As for sleeping in the minivan, yes we are planning to do so the entire trip.

R

There are plenty of beaches where you can camp out - check out the California State Parks system website. Some beaches close at sunset and no one is allowed after that, others have designated camping areas where you can park your minivan.

Another option is youth hostels. There are some fine youth hostels in Mendocino, Pt Reyes, Marin Headlands, and even in San Francisco itself. Check the Hostelling International website for more information. The hostels, especially, offer hot shower facilities.

Are you sure you want to spend 2.5 days in napa and not 2.333906 days? (Just kidding!)

Have a great trip and congratulations on your 10th aniversary!

Congrats on your 10th anniversary! If you have not been to SF before I suggest you spend an extra day in SF, and cut down the time in Napa. I'm from a wine family, so don't get me wrong, I LOVE it there, but two and a half days in Napa is a LOT of time to spend, and you might get tired of the same area....there are fabulous wineries, but the area isn't that pretty. You may consider spending a day or two in Sonoma as well, the scenery there is gorgeous, and the wineries are outstanding! (Most locals will tell you they prefer Sonoma to Napa)

Mendocino is beautiful. The coastline and the winding roads along the cliffs are breathtaking. You will find many areas there for good day hikes.

You may want to check with CA government sites about where to sleep in a rented Minivan. Most parking lots and beaches do not allow overnight parking. Just something to think about.

If you are a fan of Hitchcock and the movie "The Birds", don't miss seeing the schoolhouse used in the movie. It's in Bodega Bay, just south of Mendocino.

I went to a spa on the way to Bodega and Mendocino a few years ago called "Osmosis" http://www.osmosis.com It was outstanding! They are also the only spa in the US that offers a cedar enzyme "bath". It's similar to a mud bath at the others, but you won't be finding mud in places on your body you didn't know existed for days to come! It's very zen and peaceful. You start by putting on a kimono, and having tea in a private room (being waited on) overlooking a Japanese zen garden. After your cedar "bath", (if you so choose) you can also have a massage. I had one where you walk down a path to an outdoor pagoda and get massaged while listening to the sounds of the nearby stream. It was amazing, peaceful and I was completely refreshed. I highly recommend it. (also, the prices were very good!)

Have a great time, and congrats again on your anniversary!

Andiamo

Most of the CA State Parks are booked up through the summer and fall--however, many have "overflow" parking, usually available after 6 PM (don't remember the fee)
You can get lots of info about sleeping in you van from www.rvnet.net - click on forum.
Also Bodega of the "Birds" fame is in the town of Bodega which is just a few miles inland of Bodega Bay.
The latter happens to have 3 "parks" where you might stay in your van..
On the north outskirts is a Calif. State Park "Dunes' and did have "overflow" area. west side of the bay is Westview Park and south end of bay is Dorans.(sort juts out into entrance to the bay..
IF you were REALLY desperate for a place to park you van for overnight--
a short distance south from Bodega Bay is SMALL town of Tomales and directly west (5-6 miles)is Dillon's Beach. Adjacent is Lawson's Landing is a "campground" which off season is a cow pastrure!!! Only portable toilets and watch where you step!!!
The drive down the Coast from Mendocino is beautiful but slow going and is 70-80 miles to Bodega Bay.
PS "Osmosis" is a remarkable spa but I heard it is VERY expensive..$ 100-$200 --but I do not know that from personal experience...

RVNET.NET doens't look like it's the right site--r u sure this is correct?

OOPS--
I had one too many "nets"
www.rv.net (lower case) and click on forums
One terrific hike is at Van Damme State Park just a few miles below Mendocino.
My grand-dau(aged 5 at the time) called it "Fern Gully"as it reminded her of a book ahe was reading about saving our environment.. --edges and sides of trail full of ferns and wild crimson columbines flowers..It is an "improved" trail,
meaning black top and gradual incline. It goes on for miles (5-8) and ends in "primative campsites."
and a "pygmy" forest !!!
Which I am told are trees that are very small despite being old.
Boy, does all this bring back great memories... grand-dau. now 16 and just got her drivers license...Time realy does fly by---So enjoy it ALL

Be sure to check your other "sf to Mendocino" a few questions below this one..

For hikes, try Armstrong Redwoods just north (2 miles) of Guerneville along the Russian River. Bigger trees than the more famous park near San Francisco. Easy trails, until you get out of the redwoods and into the Austin Creek Recreation Area. You can drive back, and drive up into the Austin Creek Recreation Area for camping.

You can drive back to the pygmy forest at Van Damme, along Airport Road. There's a short boardwalk loop there. The trees just look like little shrubs you'd see in a nursery but they are 50 to 100 years old.

There's other places to camp along the coast, too, but they all get full on summer weekends. Some state parks may have the overflow or "en route" camping, which basically means you park in the day lot and have use of the picnic area, and have to be out by 9AM.

Sleeping in a van in the city? Many areas have limited parking times without a local resident permit. Other places have plenty of people camping out, like under the freeway along South Van Ness at Twelfth. Very scenic place to relax with a bottle of Mad Dog!

You might try camping at Mt. Tamalpais State Park for your stay in the city, it does have the en route camping and is only half an hour or less from the Golden Gate. Twisty road with some steep dropoffs (down into Muir Woods), but OK. Also there are some small cabins down by the ocean that you might want to check out, Steep Ravine/Rocky Point cabins. Ask a ranger.

And SF is "San Francisco", SFO is the airport.

topping !!!!