Tips for first time visit to SF and Sonoma
 

I will be flying to SFO for just a weekend to meet a friend in a couple of weeks and need some advice. I will arrive early on Friday and then fly out Sun. evening.<BR><BR>So far my plan is to stay in SF Friday night, rent a car and drive to Sonoma early Sat. morning, stay overnight in Sonoma and drive back to SF in time to do a few things before flying out. Is this doable or should I just stay in SF and save Sonoma for a longer trip?<BR><BR>I need hotel recommendations for SF and for Sonoma. I want to spend less than $150 per night. Suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance,<BR>Meredith

One recommendation I'd make is to stay on the Sonoma Square, in order to make the most of your time there. Check rates at the El Dorado Hotel and search for others walking distance to the square. Have fun!

That is a short trip. You could easily spend the weekend in SF and environs. One day to explore the city, one day to take a ferry out to Angel Island or explore Sausalito. I grew up near Sonoma it is very pretty, but is a great relaxing destination, I don't thing you want to try to rush yourself.

You asked for tips: mine is to bring a raincoat and dress in layers.<BR><BR>Hope you enjoy your trip to our beautiful Bay Area!

I agree with Kate that you would be rushed. Sonoma is a good two and half hours away, and while it's a nice drive, there's a lot in SF that you could see in one weekend. My suggestions: Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Chinatown, Palace of Fine Arts, North Beach, SF Museum of Modern Art, Union Square and the area around there. You can also catch a good show in the City. <BR><BR>Also, ditto on the warm layers and raincoat! <BR><BR>Happy Traveling! <BR><BR>If you're set on heading to Sonoma, <BR><BR><BR>

I also forgot to tell you that for accomodations, I can only recommend the Harbor Court Hotel, which I think is within your price range if you go through hotels.com or some other discount outlet. Beautiful view of the Bay Bridge, close to the water. As an SF resident, it's the only one I've actually stayed at in the city, but I loved it. <BR><BR>

Please disregard &quot;T's&quot; time schedule from SF to Sonoma. Sonoma is 45 mile from San Francisco and unless you go during prime rush hour the trip should take no more than 1 hour. 2 and 1/2 hours is absolutely ridiculous. I think you'd have great fun spending Sat in and around Sonoma. SF is great in the evening and a sunday. As long as you're not trying to do the whole tourist thing in one weekend. It actually sounds like a &quot;locals&quot; weekend to me!!!!

When staying in Sonoma, try the Kentfield Inn (not on the square in Healsberg, but very nice and closer to the wineries). Harbor Court is a good place, veyr small rooms and yes on the water but small windows reduce the impact of the view

Meredith:<BR>You could easily stay in SF the whole time and not run out of things to do. However, if you'd rather spend a day in the wine country than the city, it is completely doable. BTW, I assume you mean the Sonoma Valley, rather than the city of Sonoma, which doesn't really impress me and is further away. It takes about an hour to get to the area around Healdsburg, a great little town along 101. That puts right near the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and other excellent appellations. There are also plenty of spas and restaurants in the area and San Francisco Magazine recently had an article about cheese tasting in the Sonoma Valley. I usually go as a day trip, so I don't have a great hotel recommendation, but I have stayed at the Doubletree in Rohnert Park (under $50 through Priceline), which is new and nice enough. I think though, that most people would steer you toward one of the hotels in Healdsburg. A search here should yield some good suggestions.

You should have plenty of time for both SF and Sonoma. As a previous person said, Sonoma is only about 45 minutes from SF. I would definitely spend Saturday and Sunday morning in Sonoma. It is a beautiful area.