Where should I go for a nature/metro vacation mix?
Huntington Park My family and I are planning a vacation to the SF Bay Area. We want to allocate two days for touring the city and three for hitting up the outdoors. I was thinking of spending a day in Yosemite, a day in Muir Woods and surrounding parks, but I still need another day to fill nature-wise.
My parents want to visit wine country, so where is best for that? Napa or Sonoma? Is there anywhere nearby wine country that my brother and I would find more exciting, since touring vineyards is not our thing. Any suggestions for the city? Thanks!
4 Responses
leftcoastliz
02 Aug 2013
EEdy
02 Aug 2013
Hi
You’re so lucky, I’m waiting forward for a vacation too.
It really is a hard choice you have to make as both Napa and Sonoma Valleys are absolutely beautiful.
Napa is more sophisticated and the wineries are better known and easier to find nationwide (on average). But if you go to Napa you MUST go mid-week to avoid the crowds.
Sonoma is more laid back, causal and less crowded , so choose Sonoma if you like the outdoors.
If you are interested in wine reports you’ll find interesting things on this site.
Have a nice vacation!
John D
02 Aug 2013
Yosemite is a three day trip, ideally. One travel day there, a day there and a day back. You need to reserve accommodations (even camping) or there’s no chance. Muir Woods is gorgeous but it’s 1/2 day or so. Sonoma and Napa each have their charms, as the other said. We go to one or the other depending on our mood.
I’ll add to leftcoast’s posting about Sonoma. We haven’t been wine tasting up there in about 5 years – we go to Livermore sometimes because it’s way closer to us. Anyway, for some years pretty much all the wineries in Napa have been charging for tasting – some more, some less. Last time we were there far fewer wineries in Sonoma charged. That only matters if it matters. If you are serious wine buyers, like us, they will refund the charge if you make a purchase, almost always.
jellybeanchick
02 Aug 2013
Personally, I’m also a fan of Sonoma over Napa for a wine tasting trip. Napa has a lot of wealth, so a lot of really upscale restaurants and fancy over-the-top winery architecture. Sonoma County is more rustic and down to earth, which is more my style. Either way, both have great wines, so it depends on what kind of experience your parents are looking for. One of the best vacations I have taken with my husband was a weekend in Healdsburg (northern Sonoma County). There were quite a few kids there too, going to the candy shop or other shops in town.
Some larger wineries make their own olive oil, and one place that I have been to, B. R. Cohn in Sonoma County, had sauces and other food items for tasting, so there is something for the under-aged to do.
As for the outdoors, absolutely you cannot do Yosemite in one day. For things closer to SF, there are many outdoor options. Some more unique ones include: Angel Island State Park; Ano Nuevo State Park; Point Reyes National Seashore; Big Basin Redwoods State Park; Marin Headlands; Mt. Tamalpais. Even in the city itself, there is Ft. Funston, Land’s End, The Presidio, and various gardens in Golden Gate Park.
If you really want to see Yosemite or the Sierra in general, you’ll want to stay at least overnight, probably a couple nights. As another answer mentioned, reservations are hard to get for Yosemite. Lake Tahoe is stunning, is somewhat closer to San Francisco, and has ample accomodations.
In 2012, Sonoma County was chosen by TripAdvisor in fall 2012 as the #2 best wine country in the world to visit over Napa County & 2nd only to Tuscany, Italy. The only disappointing thing is that you don’t have a week to explore the backroads & sit around people watching. Reasons some tourists gave were that in Sonoma County
People are more fun.
There are more things to do.
There are fewer traffic tie-ups on the wine trail itself. (If they live in a tourist area in S. California, they appreciate that.)
Some very highly-rated wines like Kenwood & others, though some wineries may seem small, so don’t write off the wine as inferior. It’s not. Wins plenty of prizes, too.
Can inquire about wildflower garden tours this time of year near Sonoma & Kenwood.
Can poke around small town of Sonoma & see the Sonoma Mission. Note that it’s in a valley with high hills above on many stretches. (I suppose Napa Valley matches Sonoma Valley in this.)
Some good Mexican restaurants on Highway 12 north of Sonoma.
Can do some light hiking in Jack London State Park & see the rustic house where he wrote.
Horseback riding, too.
In Santa Rosa, there are several very excellent Indian & Nepalese restaurants with moderately priced noon buffets. (or 11:30-2) I like Anapurna.
Chain restaurant, Fresh Choice, is in nearby plaza.
Another good restaurant is East West on the east side of Santa Rosa as you head into town. Both vegetarian & non-vegetarian. Greek & American food. Filafels & full meals. Outside dining, too. Huge park, Howarth Park, is across the street. Park is 3 parks in 1 with Anadel State Park for rustic hiking. Other 2 have hiking, but less tedious. Some canoe & pedal boat rentals. Watch birds & ducks. See all the weeds & wildflowers in the spring + lots of trees like madrone & manzanita. Picnic tables.
Evening weekends, may catch a planetarium show at Santa Rosa Junior College. Walk around seeing more trees. (I like trees.)
Close to redwood forest area on the Russian River. (Head out River Road.)
Can rent a canoe & head up the river then down again, Monte Rio to Guerneville then back again. Can even pack a lunch.
Can go to Korbel for champagne & brandy tour & garden tours.
Close to the rocky coast with sheep on hills above. Gorgeous. Some compare it to Ireland.
Geyser area with high green hills in spring. See where they generate geothermal energy.
You’ll never see all this in one day. You need at least 3, although you’ll definitely want to go to Yosemite. Let’s see. You’ll drive to each place & see it all in one day? Oh, dear. You’re killing yourselves.
As for the wineries themselves, Napa County perhaps has the more interesting architecture. Sterling is modern & unusual with a high cabled tram. It’s very high on a hillside, & you take the tram up to see it. So that’s unique if you’re thinking of wineries as old buildings nestled in the trees in the valley.
Other wineries have very old interesting buildings.
Road itself conveys a great sense of history.
I haven’t eaten in Napa County, but it is known for its fine restaurants. When I’ve gone to Napa County, taking along some cheese sandwiches on sourdough bread is more my speed & budget constraint. Goes well after the wine. Although you may think of "wine sampling" as not drinking much, you have to pace yourselves & stop to eat. This time of year can get kiwi, avocados & such to take along & eat fresh. As for charging for wine tasting, that does seem to be the trend in either county in the last couple of years.