Our family is planning to spend 10 days in the San Francisco area. We thought about 4 days in the city and from there we want to explore either north or south? Any recommendations on itineraries? Probably about 5 days outside of San Francisco. Not interested in going to L.A.

Jane--
It would help those who might offer you assistance to know about your family and your interests. How many are you? How old? When do you plan to travel? Have you consulted any guidebooks? Have you done a search on this site? Do you plan to have a car? Help us help you!

My first trip to SF we spent 4 days there, 3 days in Napa Valley, & 2 days in Montrey/Carmel. All are less than 2 hours from SF. It's a beautiful area of the country!

agree with first response. give us more info.

Agree with 3rd response.

I highly recommend the Monterey Bay area and Carmel. It's a beautiful drive if you take Route 1, and there's no end of stuff to do down there, to please all ages. You can hike (Point Lobos is gorgeous, and features both easy and not-so-easy trails), dine (all cuisines, all price ranges), shop (outlets in Monterey, galleries and higher-end shops in Carmel), visit wineries and museums (the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must, and Monterey features a small historic district highlighting Spanish colonial history in the area, and there's a lovely old mission in Carmel), take walks along the beach (romantic by moonlight, or wet and fun by day, especially in the tide pools at Asilomar), or just drive around looking at the beautiful coastline (17 Mile Drive at Pebble Beach is a bit overrated, but still nice). There's tons of lodging at all price ranges, although it goes fast in high season(s). Oh, and you can golf, of course--but as you can tell, that's not my thing, so I forget it's even there! Of course, Napa and Sonoma are well worth visiting, too, but for variety and sheer beauty, Monterey gets my vote, if you can only choose one direction in which to go from SF. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

Jane,

Ditto to spending some time in the Monterey/Carmel area. My husband and I enjoyed it a lot. The aquarium is wonderful, lots of quaint shops, pubs, etc. I won't go on, as the above poster explained it very well. Lots to do! If the redwoods/nature interests the family, you could head north as far as the Eureka/Crescent City area of the state. I do agree with several others, though.....let us know what you all like to see/do and you'll get even more specific suggestions. Enjoy San Francisco - it's one of my favorite cities.

We are a family of 4. Two tolerant teen boys 15 and 13. Like to learn about culture, like small communities and off the beaten path adventures. Will have a rental car. I am a travel consultant and have been busy working on others' trips instead of my own. Now it is time to plan our trip. Going in July.
www.gosmartravel.com

I'd recommend Clearlake/Lakeport if the kids like to fish and canoe. Real small-town atmosphere. Lake Tahoe is beautiful and a must-see if you don't mind the long (4 hour?) drive from San Fran.

www.bigsurlodge.com down near Monterey area is a place to check out if the kids can do without TV for a few days.

In an 8 day trip last year we flew into SF & drove directly to Sonoma where we stayed for 3 nights & then to Yosemite for 2 nights & on to SF for the remaining 2 before we flew home. I don't know what your interests are but Yosemite was fantastic, beyond all my expectations. We took the 8 hour comprehensive coach tour & saw so much. Have a nice trip.