I haven't been to the bay area in many years (I live in SoCal), and my memories are very hazy. Your help is greatly appreciated.

A friend from the opposite coast is visiting prior to the impending (and tragic) event of her wedding. We have four nights--only. Two are taken care of: one night in Big Sur; one in Carmel. The questions are these:

1. Best seafood in Carmel/Monterey?
2. Most luxurious hotel in San Francisico?
3. The best French restaurant in or near downtown SF?

We'll have a car, so outlying districts not a problem.

As I mentioned in the title, the is The Ultimate Splurge, so give it your best shot.

Thanks

I can't tell you what's the best seafood in Carmel/Monterey, but my favorite restaurant is Fandango in Pacific Grove. It's awesome!

My favorite hotels in the City are the Ritz Carlton on Nob Hill and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The interesting thing about the Mandarin is that it consists of the top floors of an office building. If you're splurging, get a corner room. The views are spectacular on the 42nd+ floor.

The best French restaurants in San Francisco would probably be Masa's and Fleur de Lys.

Have a great stay.

I should further elaborate that the rooms at the Mandarin don't look like they're part of an office building. It's beautiful and I don't think you'd be disappointed.

We stopped in the Palace(?) last year for coffee and croissants in their exquisite atrium dining room. Picked up hotel literature, it looked sumptuous. Trying to change her mind, are you? hmmmmmmm.....

Best French (must it be French?) in SF is probably Masa's.Fleur d'Lys is certainly good too. But, if you don't need French and can do with Continental, look into the Carnelian Room at the top of the Bank of America Bldg. Beautiful view, pretty restaurant and nice food. Prettiest place for a drink--the Palace Hotel just off Market on New Montgomery, Farallon with the Pat Kuleto decor, top of the Mark Hopkins. I think the best restaurant in Monterey Co is Fresh Cream in Monterey. Good luck.

Without a doubt the best hotel room views are from the Mandarin Rooms at the Mandarin Oriental. Third tallest building in SF, these are corner rooms with views (at least the one we stayed in recently) of both Golden Gate and Bay Bridge, and the windows in the bathtubs are tub-to-ceiling. That is, standing in the tub you can look straight down 42 floors (one way glass, so they tell us). The lobby is nothing special and personally I don't think the rooms are as luxurious as some other hotels I've stayed at. Overall, the rooms at the Ritz are nicer, and the service is better at the Ritz. A suite at the Ritz costs about the same as a Mandarin room at the MO, and is bigger. You won't be disappointed with either.
There are several top notch French restaurants, as you probably know. Much debate as to which is best this month versus last. Above suggestions are common ones. The best in the entire area is French Laundry, but it's a couple hours' drive up into the Napa area (you could stay at a great B&B, eat there and make a really memorable overnight of it!).

I agree with the above suggestion about French Laundry. It's a really great dining experience, but not really a day trip. Might make for a very nice time for conversation if you and your friend don't see each other often, and if you find the idea of a luxury B&B for a night an option.

I haven't been to Fresh Cream in several years, but when I lived in Santa Cruz, my boyfriend I drove down there for *every* special occasion. Best Grand Marnier souffle *anywhere*. ask for a table with a view. (But, they're not seafood specialists, sorry.)

Ohhhhh, it sounds so wonderful! Great suggestions here, especially the Mandarin and Masa's. Also check out the Sherman House and The Huntington Hotel. Extremely gorgeous properties, and both are unusual. Best French in the City still has to go to Masa's if you can't get to French Laundry.

In Sausalito try Inn Above Tide. We've stayed there... we took the ferry [or you can drive over *that* bridge] The clerk at the front desk did a doubletake when he asked if we had a car and we said we'd taken the ferry!
I'd recommend getting a room on the top floor - you get a skylight. But ALL rooms have great decks with a view of downtown San Francisco.
Here's the first website that came up with a google search: http://www.jans-journeys.com/tide/

I like Anjou in SF for French. They're listed in the Fodor Restaurant guide, I believe. They are small, intimate and the chef is excellent. You will be the only American present.....

We love the Sherman House - but it depends on your taste in hotels. If you prefer larger hotels - the Ritz Carlton is excellent, but the Mandarin probably has better views.