i am planning on 4 days in sonoma and two at the end in sf. first time there so any suggestions? it's me and my husband and i've pretty much decided on the fairmont sonoma mission inn but what about in sf - any suggestions? TA is suggesting the fairmont but i'm afraid it may be too stuffy. would like something a little more hip but still upscale.

There are some great boutique hotels in SF. I last stayed at the Marriott and it was nice...but I want to stay at the Hotel Triton - I've heard great things about it! Good luck - there are so many great places to choose from in the City!
For dinner, I highly recommend Tomasso's - it's a San Francisco Institution and a must if you love tiramisu.

We've stayed at several hotels in SF. Campton Place near Union Square is one of our favorites.

Go to the Sonoma Mission Inn (owned by Fairmont also I believe) and don't miss the little cafe and gift shop on the corner of the property. You can even wear your spa robe, good food in the cafe and even better if you are wearing a robe.

When you leave San Francisco, stop by Sausalito and go to Margaritiville on the main drag and eat outside and watch the boats, good Mexican food, that will help get you over the "stuffiness" of the Fairmont in SF....don't miss the bar/restaurant at the top of the Fairmont!!

thanks everyone. i've always wanted to go to sausalito. how far out of sf is it? we aren't staying at the fairmont in sf but are now considering the huntington - heard they have a great spa.

Sausalito is just across the bay from San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge. It's quite a scenic little town and certainly worth a visit--and it could be on your way to Sonoma.

Just returned from an overnight stay at the Hilton Financial District (hotwire--great price). It's just a block off Chinatown and a short walk to the Embarcadero and the Ferry Bldg (and we were schlepping bags). Consider a "moveable feast" if you only have a couple of nights in SF--drinks and appetizers at one place, drinks and main course at another, dessert and night caps at a third. We "ate our way" to the ballpark last night. Ferry Building has lots of good choices with great views from the waterside.
As for Sonoma--Girl & Fig is good. Be sure to get up to Glen Ellen (Benziger Winery) and Kenwood--Cafe Citti is our local favorite.

Dear writestuff,
Sausalito is the first town in over the county line north from San Francisco into Marin County.

If you are driving towards the wine country, it's an easy stop. Another way to visit Sausalito is via the ferry from San Francisco. You'd get some great views of the Bay, Alcatraz, the City - it's very enjoyable and easy to do. Some of my co-workers commute every day on the ferry - it's the best hour of their day!

thank you trvlmaven for your dinner suggestions. i've been hearing a lot of good things about girl &the fig. have you been to french laundry? with all of the great places available i am leaning towards skipping it. i live in nyc so i'm around enough 'hot' restaurants to know that some of the best are the ones no one knows about.
dovima, the ferry sounds like a great idea. we are planning on doing sausalito on the way back from sonoma so i might consider the ferry. we weren't going to keep the car in sf. i am assuming like nyc sf is better on foot or via public transportation...