we are 2 couples planning a 9 day trip to California. When we arrive at SFO we will pick up a car and head to wine country.We thought 2 nights in Napa area and 1 night in Sonoma area. Then we will drive to Carmel and spend 2 nights there. We will then get rid of our car rental and spend 3 nights in San Francisco before we head home. Does this sound like it will work? Can we spend the 3 nights in wine country in 1 place or is is better to split it up-I'm trying to get a grasp on how far apart these places are. Any lodging advice for any of these areas (wine, Carmel, SF) would be greatly appreciated. Any route advice too-best ways to go to/from wine area to sf/carmel. Thanks

It is doable but I would probably pick either Napa or Sonoma (I'd pick Sonoma) as there is no easy/quick way to get from one to the other. With Sonoma, you could meander up the Coast, visit Pt. Reyes & John Muir State Park either coming or going as well.

Unless you are big wine enthusiasts - I would spend 2 nights in the wine country (I prefer Healdsburg in Sonoma Co), and 3 nights in Carmel/Monterey/Big Sur. The drive from the Wine Country to Carmel is going to consume a lot of time if you do it on a work day.

Stu Dudley

I think your itinerary sounds great. It is very doable. There are 2 routes from SFO to Napa Valley so you could take on going and one coming back. Depart SFO, go north on 101 to 80 east over the SF Bay Bridge to 880 north to 12 west to 29 north. For your 2 nights in the Napa Valley, I'd look for a room in the Yountville-St. Helena area. In Yountville, I like the Vintage Inn, Napa Valley Lodge and Villagio. Also Meadowwood and Harvest Inn in St. Helena; avoid the actual city of Napa as it is not in the "heart" of the vineyards.

Then you'd take the Oakville Grade over to Sonoma where I'd recommend either a night in Healdsburg or downtown Sonoma on/near the square. From Oakville (just north of Yountville) to Sonoma is about 15 miles. So many make a big deal about this road as it is curvy, mountainous and you climb a small summit, but it only takes 25 minutes and it adds to the adventure, IMO.

From Sonoma County, take Hwy 37 to 101 south and cross the Golden Gate where you'll continue on 101 south to 880/17 south to 1 south towards Carmel. I prefer staying as close to Ocean Avenue as possible right in the village area. 2 nights here is perfect. I've stayed at the Cypress Inn and Pine Inn and liked both.

Then back to SF reversing the route or from 101 in Redwood City (about 30 miles south of SF)you could take 84 west to 280 north and into the city from a different vantage point. My favorite area to stay in the city is around Union Square. I like the Parc 55, St. Francis and JW Marriott. This area has lots of shopping, galleries, food, people, theaters and easy cable car access.

One small additional tidbit, it would probably be better on the Carmel to SF route to get over to 280 north by going 1 north to 17 north which becomes 880 north. Around the Campbell/San Jose border take 85 east to 280 north rather than taking the 101 to 84 to 280 route I mentioned above.

OMG!! I should really proof better---change above to 85 west (could be north?) to 280 north.

Sorry.

Thank you all. Yes wannabe: I have read some about Muir woods and was hoping to include that some way. And Stu Dudley-hoped you would respond. I have seen a lot of your posts on San Francisco and have been noting your suggestions. Luckily we are arriving on a wednesday so we will be driving to Carmel on saturday. And thanks parrothead for all of the information and directions. I will spend some time this morning looking at the lodging. If you think of anything else don't hesitate....