Tips for Northern California: Does this seem do-able in a week?
Sep 9th, 2005, 05:17 PM
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Tips for Northern California: Does this seem do-able in a week?
DH and I are looking into different options for our vacation next summer. We typically take around the first 2 weeks in August. We are researching and thinking about different possibilities (the last 2 summer vacas were spent in Hawaii).
We are still undecided about where to go, but one of our options for next summer is to spend one week in California and one in Hawaii. We would like to see and spend time visiting San Francisco, Napa Valley OR Sonoma, and the Big Sur Coast. I was thinking of spending 4-5 nights in SF, and then 2-3 nights on the Big Sur Coast at some place like Ventanas Inn. I was thinking we could day trip to wine country from SF, and visit Carmel or Monterey from Big Sur. Is this possible? (We are from the East Coast, and neither of us has ever visited Cal.)
Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
We are still undecided about where to go, but one of our options for next summer is to spend one week in California and one in Hawaii. We would like to see and spend time visiting San Francisco, Napa Valley OR Sonoma, and the Big Sur Coast. I was thinking of spending 4-5 nights in SF, and then 2-3 nights on the Big Sur Coast at some place like Ventanas Inn. I was thinking we could day trip to wine country from SF, and visit Carmel or Monterey from Big Sur. Is this possible? (We are from the East Coast, and neither of us has ever visited Cal.)
Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
Sep 9th, 2005, 06:16 PM
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It is possible to go to the wine country within an hour or so from San Francisco - because you can indeed leave early and have a nice lunch at one of the many wonderful restaurants and still get back to the city to sleep - but it would probably be easier to stay in SF for 2 or 3 nites, stay over in Yountville or St Helena, Head over to the coast - or head straight on down to Carmel. There is so much to do in the Monterey/Carmel area that it would not be my suggestion to stay in Big Sur.
But you may have reasons for staying there....
Otherwise, you can see Big Sur from Carmel - for a day - and spend another day at Point Lobos, or the Aquarium, the Beach, the town, etc.
You will love it!
But you may have reasons for staying there....
Otherwise, you can see Big Sur from Carmel - for a day - and spend another day at Point Lobos, or the Aquarium, the Beach, the town, etc.
You will love it!
Sep 9th, 2005, 06:25 PM
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I agree totally with cabovaction's post.
I espically agree about Big Sur. Use Pacific Grove or Monterey as a base and just go to Big Sur for a day. You can lunch at one of the Inns that overlook the ocean. This way you'll get the feel of staying on the coast without the big bucks $$$.. There's soooo much to do areound Monterey/Pacific Grove/ Carmel. Pack a lunch one day and do go to Point Lobos!!
All you want to do is very possible in 1 week.
I espically agree about Big Sur. Use Pacific Grove or Monterey as a base and just go to Big Sur for a day. You can lunch at one of the Inns that overlook the ocean. This way you'll get the feel of staying on the coast without the big bucks $$$.. There's soooo much to do areound Monterey/Pacific Grove/ Carmel. Pack a lunch one day and do go to Point Lobos!!
All you want to do is very possible in 1 week.
Sep 9th, 2005, 07:27 PM
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beachgirl,
Your plan sounds very doable. I am going to disagree with the previous posters about Big Sur. We live 3 hours north of Big Sur and we love spending a few nights there. It is gorgeous. If you can afford 2 or 3 nights at Ventana, I'd reconsider and stay at the Post Ranch Inn just across the highway from Ventana. It's a bit more expensive than Ventana, but it is worth it. We love it there. It would be a great place to end your trip to California. If you come in August, try to come later in the month as it can be very foggy along the coast all summer long, but it starts to lessen in late August and early September. You will love San Francisco!
-Bill
Your plan sounds very doable. I am going to disagree with the previous posters about Big Sur. We live 3 hours north of Big Sur and we love spending a few nights there. It is gorgeous. If you can afford 2 or 3 nights at Ventana, I'd reconsider and stay at the Post Ranch Inn just across the highway from Ventana. It's a bit more expensive than Ventana, but it is worth it. We love it there. It would be a great place to end your trip to California. If you come in August, try to come later in the month as it can be very foggy along the coast all summer long, but it starts to lessen in late August and early September. You will love San Francisco!
-Bill
Sep 9th, 2005, 07:33 PM
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Unless it's like this year...foggy and cold into September! Sonoma and Napa usually have sunshine in August and September, unlike the city which can be foggy and cold...the Northern Coast is best in the fall.
Sep 11th, 2005, 04:12 PM
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Thanks, everyone!
So, it seems like wine country is about an hour from San Francisco? Definitely do-able for a day trip.
How far are Carmel and Monterey from Big Sur? The reason we wanted to stay in Big Sur is that it just seemed so unique, and those inns seem cozy and fabulous. I definitely want to see Carmel/Monterey, but Big Sur jumps out at me more as a place to stay because I grew up in a quaint, touristy, charming town on the sea and that is the impression I get of Carmel.
Also, how faris SFO be from Big Sur?
iamq: I have looked at both Post Ranch and Ventanas Inn, and they both look gorgeous! Post Ranch seems much more expensive, judging by the room rates on their websites, so I think I will go with Ventana
Thanks, everyone! More suggestions/tips are welcome!
So, it seems like wine country is about an hour from San Francisco? Definitely do-able for a day trip.
How far are Carmel and Monterey from Big Sur? The reason we wanted to stay in Big Sur is that it just seemed so unique, and those inns seem cozy and fabulous. I definitely want to see Carmel/Monterey, but Big Sur jumps out at me more as a place to stay because I grew up in a quaint, touristy, charming town on the sea and that is the impression I get of Carmel.
Also, how faris SFO be from Big Sur?
iamq: I have looked at both Post Ranch and Ventanas Inn, and they both look gorgeous! Post Ranch seems much more expensive, judging by the room rates on their websites, so I think I will go with Ventana
Thanks, everyone! More suggestions/tips are welcome!
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Sep 12th, 2005, 12:15 AM
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It's only about 30 miles from Ventana to Carmel, but it's 30 miles of winding mountain road right next to the ocean. There's another fifty miles of this south of Ventana before you reach the Hearst Castle area.
Ventana is about 150 miles from San Francisco, about three hours driving. More if you take the coast highway all the way from SF. Avoid US 101 between Sf and San Jose, take 280 instead.
Ventana is about 150 miles from San Francisco, about three hours driving. More if you take the coast highway all the way from SF. Avoid US 101 between Sf and San Jose, take 280 instead.
