Need last minute SF/Napa advice

[Runnergal]

Dh and I are heading to SF next week. We have 7 nights. Our current plan is to spend the night of our arrival in SF, then 4 nights in Napa, and the last 2 nights back in SF. Now I'm worried that 4 nights in Napa is too long and 2 days in SF is not enough.(our flight home is very early am). What would you all do? This is our first trip to the area. We enjoy wine but for four days? Are there other things in Napa to do/see? We considered a night or two in Yosemite, but I want to have a relaxed vacation and not spend it in the car rushing around from place to place, plus we will definitely return in a few years with our kids and I would like to see it with them. Thoughts?

 

[JimMIA]

I personally would do 4 days in SFO and 2 in Napa, or at least 3-3. There's a lot more to see and do in SFO than Napa.

You should also know that Napa is only one small part of the Northern California wine country. Sonoma is another very nice part of wine country and nearby.

Other possibilities nearby are Marin County and the coast north of SFO, Yosemite National Park to the east, and the Monterey/Carmel area south of SFO. And then there's the gold mining country, Lake Tahoe, etc. etc, etc. Lots to see and do!

We're hopefully going to do 7-10 days next summer split between SFO and Yosemite.

Have a great trip.

 

[ImDMous]

Yeah, 4 nights in Napa might be a bit much. There are certainly enough wineries in the area for several weeks worth of tasting, but there isn't much else. We really liked going to Healdsburg, it's a cute little town in the middle of wine country with tasting rooms, restaurants, shops, etc. We also went to Korbel which is north-west of the main wine area, closer to Russian River, which has a few great breweries if you're into craft beer also. San Francisco has plenty to do, much more than 2 days just to see the basics. Don't forget the Disney Family Museum, that's a half day at the very least.

 

[bcla]

Bouchon Bakery in Yountville. There will be a line out the door on weekends.

Other than that - maybe a day in West Marin locations such as Stinson Beach or Point Reyes National Seashore? Do you like oysters? A good Sauvignon Blanc would go nicely, although I'm not sure what are the rules. Basically the only place now with picnic tables is Hog Island. There are also restaurants like the Marshall Store.

 

[DallasToDis]

I just posted this as part of a response to another post (it addresses kids, because that person is traveling with children, but most of this would be enjoyed by adults as well):

San Francisco is one my my favorite towns because there is just no place like it. Lots to do with kids - Alcatraz, Coit Tower (and the steps that lead up to it), ride the trolley, Fisherman's wharf, Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square, painted ladies, Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Marin Headlands (must do), Muir Woods, rent bikes and ride around Golden Gate park plus visit the museums there, plus great restaurants. You could stay busy for a long time there!

There are lots of neat places to go in Napa Valley, but most of it centers around wine or eating (tons of wonderful restaurants) although the scenery is quite beautiful in itself. Are you staying in Napa? North from Napa, driving up 29 all the way up to St. Helena is a nice thing to do passing through the quaint town of Yountville and lots of wineries along the way. Note some of the wineries you need to make an appointment in advance. If you want to head over to Sonoma Valley there are a couple scenic mountain roads that cut over from Napa Valley to Sonoma Valley and Sonoma itself is a very nice town to visit. Even with all that I think 2-3 days would probably be enough.

 

[ncc1701]

If you head over to Sonoma I second visiting Korbel. We also liked Heldsburg. The Coppola winery is a great place to visit. It has a small museum with his Oscars , the desk from the Godfather and other stuff. The restaurant there was very good.
I vote for a 3/3 split as there is a lot to do in San Francisco.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I would say there is more to do in SF than Napa