Will be attending a family wedding in San Jose in September with a few days spent with in-laws in San Francisco prior to the wedding. Flying into San Jose so have two extra days; should we go to Carmel or St. Helena. We're not really into wineries but LOVE good restaurants, walking around quaint towns, art and antique galleries and staying in nice B&Bs. Also appreciate any restaurant suggestions for S.F.

I grew up in and live in the SF Bay Area. Both areas are wonderful. Carmel gives you the beautiful coast and cooler weather. St. Helena is in the Napa Valley and could be hot (will definitely be warm) in September. St. Helena and surrounding areas have GREAT restaurants and many B&Bs. St. Helena is about an hour closer to San Francisco than Carmel.

Both towns are small and you can easily wander around by foot. Both have art galleries -- Carmel may have more. Carmel isn't far from Monterey, which also has many attractions, including the Aquarium.

If I had to choose between the two and the beach wasn't important, I'd go for St. Helena. If you want to be on the ocean, definitely Carmel. But, you can get your beach fix while you're in SF.

As far as restaurants go in San Francisco -- Boulevard; Zuni Cafe; Tadich Grill for a unique lunch experience; Foreign Cinema on Mission Street. You can always cross the Bay and try Chez Panisse in Berkeley or Bay Wolf in Oakland.

Have fun.

" Both have art galleries -- Carmel may have more. "

What an understatement. There are a handful of galleries in St. Helena. There are literally hundreds in Carmel. " Not into wineries" I think totally throws your choice in favor of Carmel where you can spend several days doing shops and galleries. Not so in St Helena.

Vote for Carmel.

Carmel. Easier access back to SJ for your flight home. If you want to taste wine, there are tasting rooms and wineries in Carmel and Monterey.

http://www.montereywines.org/beyond-sf/#

I'd visit Carmel and take a side trip down Highway 1 for lunch at Nepenthe.

Carmel for lots of reasons.

• Likely nicer weather (St Helena could be fine but could also be very hot) September is the absolute BEST weather of the year along the coast.

• art galleries - lots more in the Carmel area

• Scenery - glorious Big Sur, and Pt Lobos are not to be missed

• Easier travel from/to San Jose

• if you only want to see one or two vineyards/wineries just for curiosity's sake - there are several near both Carmel and San Jose so you don't have to make your visit 'wine-centric' like it would be in the Napa Valley.

food -- there are countless good restaurants in both areas so shouldn't affect your decision one way or the other.

I agree--if you're not *that* into wine, Carmel.

You can also drive from San Francisco to Carmel on the scenic stretch of Highway 1 that skirts the ocean and passes though Half Moon Bay.

HTtY

Thanks ever so much for all thoughts as I now have a better handle on making a decision as well as some great restaurant suggestions for S.F. (stoikannen). Didn't realize that it would still be warm in St. Helena in September so that will definitely affect decision making.

Not only will it be hot in Napa but it is usually the beginning of harvest season, so lots more tourists, higher prices, longer waits for wine tasting, etc. Another vote for Carmel.

So many choices in SF, depending on your budget and taste buds. We like Perbacco $$$ and their sister restaurant Barbacco $$. Had good Spanish food at Gitane $$$.

Do a search on here for more recs.

http://sf.eater.com/archives/2013/07..._july_2013.php

WOW! Didn't even consider that Sept. was beginning of harvest so all the things that you said (jamie99)really helped with my decision making...thanks! MichelleY, LOVE your SF restaurant recs as we are major foodies and I always want to go with several sure fire successes since my son-in-law will be expecting ME to have THE list!

Another vote for Carmel. LOTS more stuff to do in the Carmel/Pacific Grove/Monterey, Pt Lobos, Big Sur area than in the Napa Valley - especially if you are not into wine. IMO, a visit to St Helena is a 45 min event.

Stu Dudley

I was in St. Helena yesterday and an hour included lunch! It's a very nice town, but just a couple of blocks of shopping and restaurants.

Can't thank everybody enough as you have all made my decision for me...Carmel it is! Now, any fab ideas for restaurants and a favorite B&B would be most appreciated. I'm currently looking at the Carmel Garden Inn but haven't made any reservations yet.

When budget isn't an issue, we stay at the Tickle Pink. It has magnificent views of the ocean.
http://www.ticklepinkinn.com/

Carmel

Just FYI Tickle Pink is several miles south of Carmel by the Sea and you'll need to drive. I don't know anything about Carmel Garden Inn other than the location would be very convenient. For restaurants, my favorites in town are La Balena, Mundaka and Aubergine.