What to do, where to go?

[honey lamb]

OK, folks! I'm heading for SFO on February 4th and returning on February 9th. It's Aer John's birthday/Christmas pressie to me.

Now I have been to SF on several occasions down through the years, courtesy of VS and I've also used it as a springboard for other destinations such as Las Vegas, Mendocino, friends in northern California, Lake Tahoe, Seattle. This time I had hoped to get to Palm Springs but I couldn't get the stars to line up with hotels and flights on the dates that I wanted. Friends in Seattle and Portland are not available at that time so I'm back to the drawing board.

I've long ago realised that V-Flyers love giving advice about this so over to you with one caveat. Please don't suggest Napa or Sonoma. I've been there and I really don't enjoy wine-tasting trips.

My faves

Museum of the Legion of Honor
De Young Museum in GG Park (and nip up the tower for some fab views)
Alcatraz (evening tour if at all possible)
Ferry to Sausalito then wander around (I'd suggest biking the bridge as well if your in active mood)
Asian Art Museum
Tour of SF City Hall

[Neil]

We loved the drive south of San Fran. Monterey and Carmel are both very nice, the drive down highway 1, Big Sur etc was amazing, and we loved Santa Barbara and could have stayed longer than our 2 nights.

Our trip was Aug/Sept, so I'm not sure if it would be the same in February

How about Mendocin......oh...

Now I have been to SF on several occasions down through the years, courtesy of VS and I've also used it as a springboard for other destinations such as Mendocino

As I said in another place, I can't offer advice as I stole all the best ideas from you...

monterey/carmen as suggested
or how about Yosemite and maybe on to Reno?

Don't know if you've been there, hl, being the well-travelled lady that you are, but a trip to Solvang is worth the effort. Beautiful if somewhat tourist-y place.

[honey lamb]

how about Yosemite and maybe on to Reno?

We're talking about two weeks time and when I went to Reno/Tahoe in May the snow was still there. I'm sure that will be the case in Yosemite and I have no intention of driving in snow even with chains!

[honey lamb]

My faves

Museum of the Legion of Honor
De Young Museum in GG Park (and nip up the tower for some fab views)
Alcatraz (evening tour if at all possible)
Ferry to Sausalito then wander around (I'd suggest biking the bridge as well if your in active mood)
Asian Art Museum
Tour of SF City Hall

Been there, done that and crossed the bridge more time than you've had hot dinners - well perhaps not that often but often enough.

We loved the drive south of San Fran. Monterey and Carmel are both very nice, the drive down highway 1, Big Sur etc was amazing, and we loved Santa Barbara and could have stayed longer than our 2 nights.

Our trip was Aug/Sept, so I'm not sure if it would be the same in February

That seems like a possibility but somehow it's not grabbing me

Don't know if you've been there, hl, being the well-travelled lady that you are, but a trip to Solvang is worth the effort. Beautiful if somewhat tourist-y place.

Never heard of it so will look into it

How about a short hop on VX to LAX? Plenty more options then ?


DL

[honey lamb]

How about a short hop on VX to LAX? Plenty more options then ?


DL

Don't like LA

[Neil]

Solvang is very pretty, and part of the drive down highway 1. I had forgotten to mention that when suggesting the highway 1 trip.

You could visit my friends in San Ramon !

Hl - bit of a curve-ball, but what about taking the hop over to, say, Maui? I realise it's a 5 hour flight and you are not in SF for long, but worth a thought? (Think UAL have direct flights SFO/OGG).

There are other options in the islands, but Maui is such a beautiful place, and the climate will be very pleasant...just a thought.

Hl - bit of a curve-ball, but what about taking the hop over to, say, Maui? I realise it's a 5 hour flight and you are not in SF for long, but worth a thought? (Think UAL have direct flights SFO/OGG).

There are other options in the islands, but Maui is such a beautiful place, and the climate will be very pleasant...just a thought.

If memory serves me right HL has already been there . Mind you I lived it there and would happily go back again .

DL

[honey lamb]

Hl - bit of a curve-ball, but what about taking the hop over to, say, Maui? I realise it's a 5 hour flight and you are not in SF for long, but worth a thought? (Think UAL have direct flights SFO/OGG).

There are other options in the islands, but Maui is such a beautiful place, and the climate will be very pleasant...just a thought.

If memory serves me right HL has already been there . Mind you I lived it there and would happily go back again .

DL

I didn't go to Maui. Just to Oahu and the Big Island.

Drive up through Seattle and onto Vancouver?

We stayed up in Point Reyes for a couple of nights when we went to SF a few years back. It's an amazing place to see if you've not been, feels really remote but is only c.1hr from SF. Great for a bit of peace and quiet outside the city.

We stayed at Mankas Inverness Lodge, their website hasn't changed in at least 10 years but don't let that put you off, it's one of, if not THE, nicest places I've ever stayed.

http://www.mankas.com/mankas/home.html

[honey lamb]

Drive up through Seattle and onto Vancouver?

I would have gone to Seattle but none of my friends there are available and I've done both cities in the recent past.

how about Yosemite and maybe on to Reno?

We're talking about two weeks time and when I went to Reno/Tahoe in May the snow was still there. I'm sure that will be the case in Yosemite and I have no intention of driving in snow even with chains!

I live in SF, recently went to Yosemite, believe you me, there's no snow to be had there right now, not even at 8,000ft (Valley floor is at 4,000) so you'd be fine, not much in the LR forecasts either...I love love love Yosemite and couldn't recommend it highly enough.

We stayed up in Point Reyes for a couple of nights when we went to SF a few years back. It's an amazing place to see if you've not been, feels really remote but is only c.1hr from SF. Great for a bit of peace and quiet outside the city.

We stayed at Mankas Inverness Lodge, their website hasn't changed in at least 10 years but don't let that put you off, it's one of, if not THE, nicest places I've ever stayed.

http://www.mankas.com/mankas/home.html

Interesting, I've been V tempted to go their with the wife and now the wee baby.