Trip to Northern Cali

My husband and I are thinking of going out to california to the wine country and all over san fran.... we've never been to northern california... any must see or must do's? also, any suggestions on places to rent a limo for the wineries or hotels would be GREAT :)

thanks ladies!

Go to Armida winery - they have a great red wine called poizon - comes in a coffin - it is so velvety smooth - but expensive - 50 bucks- it's the only red I like though....

Don't forget to go to the redwood forests too - our friends live North in Forestville - we want to move there one of these days...

Def go to Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz.

There was a great seafood restaurant at the wharf. Pier something or other. The crab is fantastic!!!

Go have dinner in Chinatown and take a trolley through town. Haight Ashbury is great place to walk around. There is a lot of musical history there.

If it is still there Foothill Cafe 2766 Old Sonoma Road, Napa, CA 94558 707.252.6178. The staff at the Best Western recomended it (oh yeah the best western was really nice in napa too.) The chef was from NY originally and the food was like a 4 star restaraunt with 2 star prices. Everything was absolutely amazing.

I recomend the Mondavi vineyard for good wine and Beringer for a beautiful vineyard. Also Francis Ford Coppola was really neat too. But get there earlier so you can do the tour too.

Oh you will absolutely LOVE N. Cal! My sister lives in the Bay Area and I have been out there many times.

San Fran is a MUST! my favorite spot is Fisherman's Warf. Pier 39 is awesome! lots of great restaurants and shopping. China Town is also something to see. Lombard Street is fun to drive on. You can't go wrong with going anywhere in SF. it is all gorgeous! take the 49 mile scenic drive. I thought it would be cheesy but it was beautiful!

As far as Napa, definitely! I was there about 5 yrs ago and went to the Coppola and Mondavi vineyards. they're gorgeous! the drive up to Napa in itself is worth the trip.

Another must see is Sausalito. When DH and I were there 3 years ago we both fell in love with the town's charm and beauty. it was amazing.

And if you get the chance, go a few hours south to Santa Cruz and Monterey. My cousin lives in Pacific Grove (near Monterey) and it is a beautiful seaside town. That's where the Monterey Bay aquarium is too. just south of Pacific Grove is the famous 17 mile drive and Big Sur. A MUST SEE!!!!!! you will not believe your eyes, it is just THAT beautiful!

I would move there in a heartbeat if it wasn't the 2nd most expensive part of the US to live in.

here are a few links: Big Sur pics
Sausalito pics
Pacific Grove/Monterey pics

if you have any questions, feel free to FM me

ETA: here is a cool link I found with pics to several vineyards link

If you like to hike and love nature you must go to Muir Woods.
It's a national park of Redwood trees.....it's absolutely
beautiful. I think it's about 10 miles north of the Golden Gate
Bridge. Definitely a must.

DH and I did northern CA for 2 weeks last oct - it was GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Definately check out the stinking rose for dinner - garlic on EVERYTHING including the ice cream! its a BLAST!

farmers market in SF - i think its every sunday or every other.

Calistoga lodge in calistoga - AWESOME!

best Vineyards IMO:
sterling
mondavi