Ok, I am in Napa/Sonoma - What to do?

[meerzee]

Ok, guys I am out here in Sonoma/Napa, CA for the next several days. Staying in Rehnart Park Doubletree Hotel, got rental car (Ford SUV not my 986!) --- Got a private tour at La Crema today and a Mondavi tour for tomorrow, but that is it.
Any great spots or tours not to miss? Nothing too crazy, but really would like to find a nice Sequoia Park (tell me where it is located), other great places for photography and maybe some advice for restaurants (moderately priced - I don't have any dress clothes with me) and wineries to visit.

It looks like rainy weather for Saturday and part of Sunday. Any ideas on good things to do? Was thinking seaplane or hot-air balloon but not sure about the weather with those. Also where is the nearest good mall for Macys, Off-Saks & Nordstrom, etc......

Thanks so much!!!
Anyone got a 986 for me to borrow?

Cheers!

[unklekraker]

merzee....welcome to CA

check out babblers.org lot's of members there are from where you at right now

[JackG]

If you like cabernet, go to the Silver Oaks winery.

For Merlot, there's Rutherford Hill. They also have a port that's great.

Mustard's Grill in St Helena is good, and there's some "famous" place that people line up for hamburgers and fries down around Rutherford/Yountville, but I didn't try it.

Muir Woods is probably the closest big trees to you, they're redwoods, and they're just outside Sausalito just north of SF. I don't think there are any giant Sequoias close to you, from my memory they are all a few hours drive.

Have fun!

[humara]

2 words:

French Laundry


Ok, several more words.
Best restaurant in the state. Possibly the country. its in yountville.

Thomas Keller also has another restaurant called bouchon. you might end up checking this out if you can't get reservations at french laundry.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Laundry

http://www.frenchlaundry.com/bouchon/bouchon.htm

[7th gear]

try http://www.yahoo.com
clik 'yellow pages' on left side.
enter your location
start a search w/ 'tours'

you should get the hang of it from there. enjoy cali to the max

[CJ_Boxster]

Drive on down to San Fransisco and see the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Fishermans Warf. Theres alot of shopping in SF.

[brp987]

Hwy 1 south from Monterey to San Luis Obispo. Redwood forest and incredible views of the pacific from hundreds of feet above sea level. Too bad no boxster though.

[JackG]

Originally Posted by brp987

Hwy 1 south from Monterey to San Luis Obispo. Redwood forest and incredible views of the pacific from hundreds of feet above sea level. Too bad no boxster though.

+1
We did that on our trip out there a few weeks back. Drove down one day from Napa, stayed in San Luis Obispo for the night, then drove back to SF the next day.

Rented a drop-top Mustang V6 for the week. On all-season tires and base suspension, it did OK for the vacation experience, and even on the 17 Mile Drive and PCH tour. Not a Boxster, but I can see how, with the V8 and some some decent tires and upgraded suspension bits, it could be a fun car. Just different.

I'm just saying.

[JackG]

Originally Posted by humara

2 words:

French Laundry

That would be an experience, but I guess you didn't read meerzee's post:

"maybe some advice for restaurants (moderately priced - I don't have any dress clothes with me)"

At $240 per person, a 2 month waiting period for reservations, and no dress clothes, that's not likely to happen, huh?