Would love to try that as well.
Another time hopefully
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Thanks! Will definitely check it out
Passionfish (in Pacific Grove) is closer to Monterey, but only by about 10 min. Google Maps shows 10 min from downtown Monterey and 17 min from downtown Carmel by the Sea. Not worth changing lodging locations for that, in my opinion. Iâd stay in Carmel and perhaps a short day trip to Monterey to visit Fishermanâs Wharf or Cannery Row. Both touristy, but beautiful/dramatic coastline to enjoy for the views. 
I second skipping LA and focusing on NorCal. I would drive up Highway 1 to Mendocino/Elk, stay at the Harbor House Inn if you are willing to spend the $$$. Spend more time in SF and skip Chez Panisse. Go to Angler in SF for lunch and check out the Ferry Building and farmers market instead.
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Andyâs general suggestion about staying and driving north is a very good one.
The only thing I have to say about lunch at Angler is the Angler Potato isnât on the lunch menu. Itâs a terrific restaurant. However, if you mention the restaurant to someone, 9 times out of 10 the first words out of their mouth will be âThe Potatoâ.
A few more thoughts: The Morris is my go-to restaurant, their wine list is amazing. You can also check out Serine, their sister restaurant in Oakland if you spend time in the East Bay or go to Great China in Berkeley for another fantastic wine list (but frankly, no need to cross the Bay Bridge if youâre a first-time visitor to the area).
I would consider adding another day in wine country and making Healdsburg / Santa Rosa / Sebastopol your base.
In and around Monterey, Passionfish has already been mentioned as another great wine restaurant. Lunch at Post Ranch Inn is another great idea. This is an area where I would spend two nights, not one (unless youâre just driving down to LA, which I wouldnât do for reasons others have already mentioned).
As a potential itinerary, Iâd suggest something like
- 3 nights SF
- 1 night Harbor House / Mendocino
- 2 nights Sonoma County
- 2 nights Carmel/Monterey
- 2 nights SF
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Thank you for all the inputs. Appreciate it.
The Morris and Passionfish is booked now.
Will have to go to LA for some winery visits on the way there as well as some restaurants I want to try so NoCal will have to be next time.
If you are looking for a restaurant with a good wine list in LA check out. Cannonball.
Some suggested stops along the way towards LA.
Little Mountain Santa Barbara
Bells
Robert, did you ever hit Bellâs yourself? If so, would love to hear your observations, which I undoubtedly missed somewhere in another thread.
Appreciatively,
Jonathan
Lunch is casual and yummy, havenât had dinner yet. Services is quite slow though.
Thanks a lot for the recommendation. That list looks very impressive and surprisingly good prices. Will definitely drop by. That Gilbert Gillet selection looks choice.
Looks like you jump from Carmel to LA in one day, including the drive down hwy 1 through Big Sur? If so, thatâs a brutal day of driving. I would strongly recommend making a stop in Santa Barbara to break it up.
In Big Sur, a nice lunch stop is Nepenthe.
This whole trip is a brutal day, but the OP isnât interested in your opinion.
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Thanks for the input.
We will indeed stop for one night in Santa Ynez for some winery visits. Have booked S.Y. Kitchen. Looks to be a good wine list there
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If youâre going to drive down PCH, Broad Street Oyster is in Malibu. So is Nobu if thatâs your thing.
On the Westside near the Wine House is the Westfield Century City. Yes, itâs a mall, but it also has an Eataly, a Momofuku spin off, and a bunch of other nice looking places.
Also close by are Sawtelle Boulevard, which has a stretch of mainly Japanese restaurants, & Culver City. A bit further southwest is Abbot Kinney. I have liked Wallyâs for tastings and brunch in the past, and they are in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills
As far as steak, I have liked Chi Spacca, Parkâs, and Gwen