I saw the San Francisco with family thread – and we might actually like the Muir Woods.
But I am thinking of a few decent restaurants in SFO – Aziza for Moroccan – Slanted Door – what else?
And maybe driving up to St Helena, Yountville, Sonoma, whatever.
I have never set foot in CA and know pretty much nothing. Probably a couple of weeks in late June.
Advice?
Didn’t you hear Calif is a fly over state? Nothing to see here.
Actually just go in any direction from SFO and you will find beauty, great food and decent vino.
North to Napa/Sonoma
South to Monterey/Carmel/Yosemite
East to the Sierra Foothills/Lake Tahoe
West, well maybe not west unless you want to swim with sharks!
St Helena and Yountville are the same day. Tons of dining options depending on what you want.
Yountville: Bouchon, Bottega, Redd, Ad Hoc, Bistro Jeanty etc…
St Helena: Press, Meadowood, Tra Vigne, Cook, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen are all good
Sonoma? County or Town?
It’s a wealth of riches but it’s a very large county with a lot of area to cover so recco’s would depend on where you want to travel to.
Best restaurants in SFO from our most recent trip were Kokkari, Perbacco and Swann Oyster Depot. Tried Slanted Door for lunch, and they could not have been less accomodating to our kids - our waitress was an a-hole. Ended up at Hog Island Oyster and had a nice meal. If you’ve not been, do Alcatraz, but buy your tickets at least a week in advance
If you are heading, north stop by Muir Woods in Marin and visit the Coastal Redwoods. I you head south, pick up highway 1 at the west end of Golden Gate Park and head south (great drive, although it takes a bit longer). My biggest regret was not stopping at SCM wineries or Kutch in the city, given the kids.
In SFO, for take no prisoners “chinese” food: Mission Chinese. Dim sum at City View. Burma Superstar.
Like wild, campy musical theater? Beach Blanket Babylon: http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/what/index.shtml It’s a hoot.
Like saffron? Shop here: http://www.saffron.com/
Like contemporary art? Do not miss the DiRosa Art Preserve: http://www.dirosaart.org/ Fantasmagorical!
Like divine swine? The Five Best Pork Dishes in San Francisco: The Five Best Pork Dishes in San Francisco
(To which I would add: If you end up in northern Napa Valley, do not miss the ‘Lucky Pig’ lunch at Solbar in Calistoga: Solage Resort & Spa | Luxury Resort in Calistoga, California )
Like ‘natural’ wines? Visit “America’s premier natural wine merchant”: http://www.terroirsf.com/
Like tiny, hole-in-the-wall, topnotch, ‘Nonna’s recipes’ Italian restaurants? SCOPA, on the square in Healdsburg: http://www.scopahealdsburg.com/
Since I live in Sonoma, I’ll give a plug to three of our favorites: Harvest Moon Cafe (dinner and Sunday brunch), La Salette (lunch and dinner), and Cafe La Haye (dinner only). All of them have websites and are located on or just off the beautiful Plaza. As for SF, If you like eating miscellaneous animal parts, my wife and I enjoyed our meal at Incanto recently; and the wine list was loaded with terrific Italian wines.
I would definitely spend some time around the Monterey Bay/Carmel/Big Sur area to contrast that of SFO and Napa/Sonoma. Kayak the bay, visit elkorn slough,go to the aquarium see some of the beutiful coast lines. Go to Pebble Beach. Lots to do and see.
George
Besides Muir Woods, Armstrong State Park up in Sonoma is a great park to hike and take in the redwoods.