Help requested - San Fransisco & Napa Valley

[nuthq]

Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

Hi All,

In October myself and a friend will be visiting San Francisco for 4 nights and then hiring a car to go to Napa Valley and back to Los Angeles via the Coast. Can anyone recommend suitable accomodation to stay in both SF and Napa that is reasonably priced but still a nice property (note neither of us have hotel status) I am thinking Marriott, Holiday Inn etc in both locations.

I am also really keen to hear any suggestions on what to do in Napa (yes, we both drink!) as well as any suggestions on a particular way to drive back to LA.

Thanks,
Nuthq

 

[Atleastonce]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

We (2 adults 3 children) stayed at the Marriott Fishermans wharf San Fran and it was a great location and reasonably priced. We drove LA to San Fran. You must do 17 mile drive and Monterey. The scenery is amazing. I am a golf fan so Pebble Beach was a must in 17 mile drive, but there are so many other sights to see too. Just don't stay at San Luis Obispo. We had a terrible experience there. First ever time I gave a 1 star experience for a hotel on trip advisor.

 

[coriander]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

Our family of five, two parents and three late teenage ferals, stayed at the Best Western Plus The Tuscan for a week in January this year. A Kimpton sister hotel to the absolutely wonderful Argonaut, it's a brilliantly located, comfortable, quiet hotel on North Point Street in the Fisherman's Wharf precinct. Free wine and nibbles in the foyer 5-6 o'clock every evening means you mingle with other guests from all over the world in a warm, friendly environment. Ask for an inward facing room - no view but you're only in your room to sleep anyway and it's oh so quiet.

Location is perfect:

• One block north and you're on Beach Street on the F-line trams along the Embarcadero.
• Two blocks north and you're at Fisherman's Wharf right next to Boudin Bakery (yum!)
• One block west and you're at North Point & Taylor and the Hollywood Cafe for the BEST breakfast in San Francisco.
• One block west then one block south and you're at the terminus of the Mason-Powell cable-car line.
• Four blocks to the nearest In-And-Out Burger joint. (!)
• Two blocks west and half block north and you're at Walgreens on Jones Street : the nearest place to buy your 1-3-7 day Muni passports: insanely good value unlimited Muni/cable car rides for $5 per day (http://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/transit/fares-passes/visitor-day-passes) .

 

[ShaneN]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

Hi All,

In October myself and a friend will be visiting San Francisco for 4 nights and then hiring a car to go to Napa Valley and back to Los Angeles via the Coast. Can anyone recommend suitable accomodation to stay in both SF and Napa that is reasonably priced but still a nice property (note neither of us have hotel status) I am thinking Marriott, Holiday Inn etc in both locations.

I am also really keen to hear any suggestions on what to do in Napa (yes, we both drink!) as well as any suggestions on a particular way to drive back to LA.

Thanks,
Nuthq

San Francisco is quite an expensive place to stay. Most hotels are concentrated either around Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square in the CBD. Fisherman's Wharf is great for boat trips (Alcatraz, Sausalito) cable cars and various tourist attractions, but not so good for public transport to the airport or other parts of the city. Union Square is great for shopping, cable cars and public transport. I have stayed a couple of times at Holiday Inn Civic Center on 8th Street - reasonably priced, close to public transport, walking distance to Union Square, but not a very nice neighbourhood.

Driving to LA, the quick and boring way is along Interstate 5 - about 5-6 hours. The recommended scenic way is along the coast. Take California Highway 1 via Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey and Big Sur to San Luis Obispo, then US Highway 101 via Santa Barbara. Must see places include 17 Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea (where Clint Eastwood was once Mayor) and Hearst Castle (be sure to book ahead). Driving is slow in many parts, so you will need two days.

 

[coriander]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

The recommended scenic way is along the coast. Take California Highway 1.....

Agreed the Cabrillo Highway (State Highway 1) is THE way to go from SFO to LA , and it's best to go that way rather than LA-SFO as you'll be pulling over to the side of the road all the time for photos; you'll recognise the scenery along the way eg Bixby Bridge from countless movies and TV shows. The beaches around Big Sur often have elephant seals lying on the sand.

Monterey Bay Aquarium is an awesome place to visit - their largest tank is what looks like a 3-storey high window into a massive tank. There's also a kelp forest you can view on several levels. Plus the otters are super-cute. Allow half a day for Monterey itself.

I agree with Shane - allow 2 days to appreciate this stretch of road, arguably one of the world's greatest drives (well the part from say Santa Cruz to Morro Bay anyway). Many years ago we drove SFO - Cambria, overnighted there (can't remember where we stayed - it was a long time ago), then did morning tour of the Hearst Castle, then continued on to LA on US-101 and I-405. I've since driven through San Simeon a couple of times but haven't bothered to revisit the castle.

Driving in the US is easy - road signage is magnificent compared to the dogs' breakfast we have here in Victoria (don't know about other states) - clear consistent intuitive large route numbers in distinctive route shields, no silly M,A,B,C, letters; you really only need a GPS for the last few residential streets. If you're an RACV member, take your card as you can walk into any AAA office and they'll give you excellent detailed regional maps, accommodation and tourist guides for free.

EDIT: I have this SFO Muni map on my phone and iPad: https://www.sfmta.com/sites/default/files/maps/34115_SFMTA-MetroCase-Maps_Original.256.gif.pdf

 

[AVC]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

What they ^^ said
The drive via the Interstate is boring.
Go via the coast road, but I don't recommend trying to do it on one day. A good halfway stop is Pismo Beach. And you visit the nearby Hearst Castle. It's worth a look.
If you're going to visit Alcatraz, book ahead. Way ahead. The bookings open 3 months in advance. Trying to get tix on the day will be a fail.
Another quirky dest in SF is the Cable Car Museum. Only takes an hour out of your day, but it's quite interesting and informative.

 

[coriander]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

As a tram and train tragic, I always wander into the Cable Car Museum and Powerhouse to watch those huge wheels driving the cables. I always try to ride the cable cars and F-line trams - while most are trams representing American ciities, you'll occasionally see ex-Milan and Melbourne trams on the line. Do buy the Muni Passport for public transport in SFO: purchase at Cable Car termini (cash only) or the Walgreens at Fisherman's Wharf (can pay on cc). {Edit: my son purchased his Passport at Walgreens in Market Street - they also only took cash. Back in Jan I bought our 5 passports at Walgreens at FW and they took Amex (for the FF points, of course !}

There's also one trip I've taken every visit to SFO since about 1984. We hop on a ferry to Sausalito, great views of Oakland Bay Bridge and Alcatraz as you glide across the Bay. Once there, walk across the Park to the main drag, Bridgeway. There's a small "hole in the wall" hamburger shop (edit: 739 Broadway)- you'll recognise it by the queue out the door . In 1984, my then girlfriend (now wife I hasten to add) spotted the Postmaster and the Sheriff standing in the queue and decided that if the locals ate there, it couldn't be too bad.

You can watch your hamburger being grilled on a rotating grill in the window. Then walk across to the park or seaside and enjoy arguably the best hamburger in SFO with a view back to SFO. Complete the occasion by listening to Otis Redding's "Sitting by the Dock Of the Bay" - actually written in and about Sausalito. A walk along Bridgeway to look at the shops and a ferry ride back to SFO completes a half-day. Not 5* gourmet dining, but always one of life's simple pleasures.

Muir Woods to walk in the redwoods is another great spot.

Wearing my train tragic hat, I might suggest a visit to the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad in Felton, near Santa Cruz. They operate a train (hauled by a rare ex-logging steam locomotive called a Shay) which takes you up into the redwoods in a 45 minute round-trip. A great alternative while you're driving highway 1 if you haven't got time to go to Muir Woods.

 

[drron]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

Gosh we took our son to Roaring camp more than 30 years ago.
But some other suggestions of something different on the way to/from Napa.When going to Napa or returning we always like to stop at the Dead Fish restaurant in Crockett.Beautiful platters of mussels,prawns crab with plenty of garlic-
Welcome to The Dead Fish Restaurant in Crockett | 20050 San Pablo Avenue Crockett, CA 94525#
If you like garlic,I mean really,really like garlic they have a sister restaurant in SFO which does the sizzling platters just like the Dead Fish but other options.The 40 clove chicken or the Zuppa Di Pesce are both sensational though for the next 48 hours you will find people backing away when you open your mouth.
The Stinking Rose - Los Angeles Steak House: Add Garlic to Your Restaurant Experience | Located at 55 North La Cienega Boulevard Beverly Hills CA, 90211 and 325 Columbus Avenue San Francisco CA, 94133

When we go to the Napa we usually stay at one of the Hilton Garden Inns.The one in Napa usually has a free bottle of wine if you like them on facebook.Here is it,s site but there are others.They are consistent with reasonably large rooms.
Napa Valley Hotel | Napa Valley Hotel Deals | Napa Valley Hotels

Vacaville on the way has some places to visit depending on your likes.If a shopper these outlets are pretty good-
https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=50

If you are in to Jellybellys they are doing factory tours again.They were cancelled for a few years after 9/11.Also a shop selling seconds at nice low prices-
Factory Tour | Jelly Belly Candy Company

In Fairfield a few miles before Vacaville coming from SFO is a Budweiser brewery with free tours and samples.Not just bud they brew there-
Brewery Information & Tours | Anheuser-Busch.com
http://www.anheuser-busch.com/s/uploads/2014-04-21-Fact-Sheet-Fairfield-Edited.pdf

If you are lucky you may be able to join a tour of Travis AFB but since 9/11 no general public tours but you can email them and hope-
Travis Air Force Base - FAQ Topic

The Air Force Band of the Golden West is stationed there but obviously doing a tour when you are there as no local performances from Sept to December.

So between Napa and LA.The scenic route is obviously Highway 1 down the coast.But if short of time take Interstate 680 off I 80.Again if a shopper you pass this outlet-
Great Mall® - A Shopping Center In Milpitas, CA 95035-8041 - A Simon Property
Basically in Silicon Valley.
Continue south on 101 you come to Gilroy the garlic capital of the world but also another outlet there.A little south of Gilroy it is a short distance to Highway 1 just north of Monterey.But as I said if you need a quick trip then just keep on H 101 south.Just follow it until you meet I 405 south which goes past LAX.

 

[ShaneN]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

+1 for recommendations for the Cable Car Museum, riding the cable car, Sausalito and Muir Woods. Muni passports for public transport are (or were in 2013) also available at visitor information counters at SFO. However they are not valid for BART rail services. including the trip from the airport (which is the best way from the airport if you are going near Market Street).

Also +1 for Garlic World at Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world. If you are travelling on 101, stop to try the garlic ice cream.

I have only been to Napa Valley on a coach trip, so had no choice in the wineries visited. W visited:
- Nicholson Ranch - attractive modern winery in beautiful location, specialising in chardonnay and pinot noir - good but expensive.
- Madonna Estate - family run winery with an interesting winery tour.
- Sutter Home Winery - Very large and touristy. Bought a couple of cheap bottles for consumption over the next few days.

Be sure to stop in Yountville for lunch or dinner. You may have difficulty in obtaining a reservation for the Michelin 3 star French Laundry.

 

[coriander]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

Gosh we took our son to Roaring camp more than 30 years ago.

I've ridden that train just about every time I've been to SFO since 1980 (so about 8 times - it was a pain when QF stopped flying to SFO years ago), have taken our three kids there twice and have already worked out that I have a half-day free in October to drive to Felton from Monterey and ride it again. I may even inflict a TR on the group.

 

[Denali]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

We stayed at the Hilton Financial District, nice room with harbour view and it was 2 level blocks to walk to a tram line so easy to change trams for Fishermans Wharf or Union Square and China Town across the road.

For Alzatraz, book your tickets early. We did the night tour, it was cool and sold out. If you have kids, the Jelly Bean factory (and tour) is about 30mins from Napa.

 

[get me outta here]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

I was at Marriott Union Square 480 Sutter St (free call from Aus 1800 251 259. If you book direct w' Marriott, the wifi is free (verify that). Easy to get to from the airport and about 4 blocks up the road. Plenty of food and people around.

Near the Marriott is the restaurant E & O Modern Asian Restaurant in Union Square, San Francisco - E&O Kitchen and Bar which if you order before 1745 they have a great happy hour menu.

A pleasant walk to the Ferry Building market.

 

[nuthq]

Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone. Does anyone know of a "quest" style apartment company in San Fran where I could rent a 2 bed apartment rather than sharing a room? Or any reasonable priced hotel suites?

 

[Milboo]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

We stayed at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins and liked it. Location wise it was an easy walk down to Fishermans Wharf. I am glad we did not stay down there though - did not appeal.

If you like a good finer meal out I recommend Gary Danko.

I disagree re with the 2 day estimate to drive SF to LA. Definitely need longer if you want to enjoy the trip and stop and look at things. We did:
- day 1 - SF to Monterey via 17 Mile Drive etc and visited the aquarium and stayed at the Intercontinental Monterey just down the street
- day 2 - to San Luis Obispo with a visit to Hearst Castle on way. Stayed at the Madonna Inn for sheer kitsch value!
- day 3 - to Santa Barbara
- day 4 - to LA

 

[ShaneN]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

We stayed at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins and liked it. Location wise it was an easy walk down to Fishermans Wharf. I am glad we did not stay down there though - did not appeal.

If you like a good finer meal out I recommend Gary Danko.

I disagree re with the 2 day estimate to drive SF to LA. Definitely need longer if you want to enjoy the trip and stop and look at things. We did:
- day 1 - SF to Monterey via 17 Mile Drive etc and visited the aquarium and stayed at the Intercontinental Monterey just down the street
- day 2 - to San Luis Obispo with a visit to Hearst Castle on way. Stayed at the Madonna Inn for sheer kitsch value!
- day 3 - to Santa Barbara
- day 4 - to LA

And a not so easy very steep walk back up! Or use the cable car.

I mentioned 2 days as a minimum. Your 4 day itinerary sounds ideal. I will need to return to see some things I missed, like Monterey Aquarium.

 

[amaroo]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

Received this the other day Best Wineries in Napa Valley

 

[Milboo]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

And a not so easy very steep walk back up! Or use the cable car.

I mentioned 2 days as a minimum. Your 4 day itinerary sounds ideal. I will need to return to see some things I missed, like Monterey Aquarium.

Even this itinerary was a bit of a push as we ended up leaving SF late as my friend had food poisoning and I was seriously unwell with a sinus infection/ conjunctivitis and strep throat!

I regret not spending time in Carmel, stopping at Point Lobos National Park, spending more time in Big Sur & Morro Bay and getting time in Santa Barbara. Also did not get to stop at Nepenthe restaurant like I wanted to.

We of course rented the Mustang!

My watch out is the GPS there like to keep pointing you back to the inland routes. There were a couple of times we were left thinking we were heading somewhere odd!

 

[Limewood]

Re: Help requested - San Francisco & Napa Valley

Stayed at Hilton China Town, nice room, nice public bars, great place to eat was a small diner next door, public bus goes to Fishermans Wharf.