Having my 50th BD in early November and would appreciate suggestions on fun, but brief trips to take (3-5 days). Would love to have it affordable enough to invite six or so friends to join us too. Live in the S. F. Bay Area and am open to ideas.

How about a cruise?

If you like wine-"Cruise West" does these 3-4 night Napa Valley, Sonoma tour/cruise things...Their website is the same name with a dot com. They include stops at many different wineries, dinners, tastings with guest speakers. I think you do most cruising in the evening, then do activies on land in the daytime...you go by Alcatraz and other sites along the way. Have fun whatever you decide !

Have you been to Puerto Vallarta, or other places in Mexico?

I like all the ideas you've gotten. I'll add San Diego? Santa Barbara? Mexico is a good idea. I recently heard about a spa called the Ixtapan that's supposed to be very inexpensive & nice. You fly into Mexico City to get there.

When I turned 50 I took a cruise down to the Neptune Society. 8-X

United has a non-stop from SF to Kauai now so 3-5 days in Nov. may not be totally out of the Q?
Ewww...but you said w/ friends.
Been there...done that!

Seriously, maybe a run up to Tahoe or over to Yosemite. Should still be beautiful in early Nov.
Congrats and welcome to The Club!
Oh oh...my phone's ringing and it's Mike Ditka!!!

Great responses from all. Especially like the Cruise West idea, Wednesday! Also thought about a Sac River cruise on an old riverboat. Must do some investigating.
Kal, sorry pal, not ready for Neptune's Palace yet!
Going with friends to Maui in August so ditching them for Kauai (which we've never been to) doesn't sound out of the question!
mclaurie, like the spa idea in Mexico but M City is sooo far for so little time. Our trip to Cancun seemed like it took forever getting there from the west coast.

Thanks again to all!