SFO-northern CA. where to stay during our trip (Napa, Clearlake: hotels, restaurants)

[kirikara]

Hi,
we are taking a long weekend to visit california in november.
While we see it as a vacation, we are also coming to check out residential area and possibility for us to settle down in CA (or not).
We have been to SFO dowtown in march so we wont be staying there.
We will be staying around sonoma/napa for our last night.
I am thinking we start by driving the northern coast check out the clearlake area on our way back and then finish with a romantic day/night in the napa area.

Any suggestiosn on towns to look at (coastal especially) that would be nice for us to stay at night?

We are considering a lot of options which is why we are checking out so much "land" in a few days. We like driving around too.
Suggestions of place to go through or stop at would be great too.
And we like a good meal (if possible not a good $150 per person meal .)

Thanks everyone...!

[bellalunatic]

Well, first of all, I wouldn't recommend cramming Napa, Sonoma and Clearlake all in one day. It's really not possible. If you really really really like driving around and not getting out of the car for all day, then maybe it's doable!

Are you equally interested in Sonoma County and Napa County?

Clearlake is tough, that's almost a whole other post....
As for coastal towns, I like Jenner. Were you planning on going further north than that? Like Mendocino or something?

[kirikara]

Hi thanks for the input.
We know it is a lot, but we want to check it out andf get a feel for it. This is definitely not our last trip we will probably go back in couple months to area we liked during this trip.

The plan was to drive near the coast loop to clearlake and then down to napa.
I know napa is not coastal but we are considering all areas as options and want to check the towns out if only for a night.
We are not really going to do any wine tasting or such.
We will be back for that kind of activities...

I am just wondering where are nice towns to stay on the coast while we are driving up there..
thanks!

[kirikara]

just saw the part about mendocino, yes I think we will try to hit as far as mendocino..

[coolbay]

TIP : If you drive further north 10 miles from Mendocino, you will hit Fort Bragg, where you can see some grocery shops, fast food, gas stations and restaurants. You may get nice view at Mendocino but hotels are expensive too. They have a nice canoeing and kayaking place near Mendocino/Big River. Sometime it gets foggy in these coastal area in the morning as well as noon.
You can reach Mendocino/Fort Bragg by either 128 or 20 route from hwy101. Route 20 is twist and turns, it takes around 45 mins from Willits to Fort Bragg. I am not sure about route 128.

[clongirl]

I'd skip Clearlake- really nothing to see imo unless you like to watch people jet skiing and dudes drinking Bud. But Mendocino is definitely a beautiful drive. Plenty of charm and good eating...more of a romantic place.

I've heard really good things about a restaurant in Forestville (not too far from Sonoma) called the Farmhouse Inn. Occidental, Graton, Sebastopol are also nice towns to visit, but not coastal. Bodega Bay would also be a good coastal option if you're not up for the long drive up to Mendocino/Ft Bragg. For a really good choice in restaurants check out the town of Yountville-- the entire town/village is all restaurants, my favorite being a French Bistro called "Bouchon" (really excellent bakery next door too!)

[PeixeGato]

Your plans seem wide open. Are you saying that on your last day in the Bay Area, you plan to drive up to Mendocino and then back down to Napa to stay the night and then head back to SFO the next day to fly out? If that's the case, you literally won't be doing much more than driving. You won't really be able to get a "feel" for any of it as you'll be too busy driving. From SF to Mendocino via Hwy. 101 will take you about 3 hours 15 mins and to go via Hwy. 1 (the scenic coastline drive) takes about 4.5 hours. Then, to get from Mendocino back down to Napa will take you another 3 hours (4 hours if you go via Clearlake). Keep in mind those times are WITHOUT any traffic, stops for meals, sight-seeing, etc.

A lot of people make the mistake of trying to cover too much ground in too short a period of time when visiting Northern California. I just don't see how you are going to get it all done if I understand your plan correctly.

[hafdohm]

skip Clear Lake. Drive is ok, but doesn't compare to the Napa Valley.

[kirikara]

Well the only reason we are going to clearlake is because it is one of the option for us to move to that I want to check on my own.
I heard a lot about how bad it is and I want to check it out for myself.

Everything you have mentionned so far sounds great. Maybe we will plan on hitting the coast only and Napa and then we will see...I am definitely going to check bodega bay, fort bragg

Thanks for all your help!

[kirikara]

Hi just saw the last post about my drive.
I have 4 days to drive up the coast from Sf to mendocino, then back down to Napa.The drive for us is part of the vacation, we will like it if it is slow, windy and scenery.
So from what you have been saying all I think it is doable, we just wont stay more than 1 night at each place.
thanks!