Anyone know a lot about Northern California?

[OklahomaWeather]

Hi friends!
My supervisor at work pulled me over last week and told me they're sending me to California for 9 days, and my husband gets to come! I only have to work for 4 days, so we'll have 4 days to explore! I've driven through Northern California, but never spent anytime, so I know NOTHING about the area.

Our first 7 days will be in Chico, California, in the East Central Sacramento Valley. I work 4 of those 7 Days, and one of the other 7 will be filled with people from my company showing me around the area. So, we have 2 days on our own in the Chico area. What's there? Anything good? Anything really neat within an hour's drive? Any great places to eat?

After our week in Chico, we will drive down to San Francisco. We plan on making a day of the drive, and want to stop a couple places- is there anything worth seeing in Lake and Mendocino Counties? Then, we want to stop in Wine Country.. Which is better, Napa or Sonoma? Napa makes more sense from a driving point of view- it's directly on our planned route, but my Aunt said that she loves Sonoma. So, while in Napa (or Sonoma) what are the MUST SEE wineries? Do they give tours? I know NOTHING about wine, so excuse my ignorance! Do these places charge for the tours? Tell me about them!

Finally, we'll spend a day in San Francisco. I've only been there once, when this company flew me out there for my interview, and I only had an hour to explore- and only saw the GG bridge! lol What are the BEST things to do in Frisco? Any place we HAVE to eat at? (We'll be on a semi-tight budget, but could probably afford one really nice meal..) Keeping in mind we don't like Seafood.. (A sin, I know!)

FINALLY, we are flying in and out of San Jose, so the night before we fly home we plan on leaving the San Francisco area, and getting half or all the way to San Jose to keep our drive short the next morning. Is there a really neat city in between that we should stay in, and see one last sight? What's in Palo Alto? (I'm looking at a map here, lol picking out cities..) Redwood City? Los Altos? Do any of those places have anything to offer? Or should we just give up and stay in San Jose?

Yikes, I'm sorry about the novel, but I just really want to make the most of our time out there! It's not too often you get a 9 day paid vacation in California! haha! Thanks for any input you have. It is greatly appreciated!

[Aslkahuna]

First off, when in San Francisco NEVER call it Frisco! San Jose is only 40 miles from SFO so the drive is not that long though CA traffic will make it seem longer. Instead of the 101 out of SJC take the loop over to I-280 The Junipero Serra which goes behind the South Bay Communities and runs along the San Andreas Fault Valley for a goodly portion. Freeways are few in SFO. Besides the GG Bridge, check out Golden Gate Park and of course NO trip to SFO is worth its sal without going to Fisherman's Wharf and the area around the Ferry Building. Palo Alto is home to Stanford University while Los Altos is an upscale suburban community. In East San Jose is Alum Rock Park and the drive up to Lick Observatory on Mt Hamilton is one for the books-though not for the faint of heart. There are a couple of Theme Parks between SJC and SFO on the 101. A nice drive if you have time would be to take the 17 Freeway over the mountains to Santa Cruz and then follow CA 1 up along the coast to SFO or go to Saratoga west of SJC and up CA 9 to CA 35 (Skyline Blvd) to its end at CA 92 from Half Moon Bay. Turn right across the causeway across the Lake to the 280. Halfway across a bump in the road signifies the trace from the 1906 Earthquake on the San Andreas. Skyline Blvd affords scenic views of the entire South Bay. North of GG Bridge take the CA 1
exit off the 101 to Stinson Beach and then up 1 to the Pt. Reyes National Seashore. If you go to Lake and then Mendocino Counties from Chico, then cut across to the coast at Fort Bragg and follow CA 1 back to SFO-this is the coastal route and more scenic than the inland 101. Actually 7 days will not be enough to do the scenic wonders of NoCA any justice since SFO alone will take a day or two just to see all of the sights.

Steve

[GalvestonDuck]

Ditto on Fisherman's Wharf. Don't miss it!

[StormChasr]

San Jose is unscenic. Take the Pacific Coast highway along the Monterey Peninsula, and enjoy--it is an incredible drive. San Fran is a great city, and the Napa and Sonoma valleys are wonderful, especially if ya like wine.

[Aslkahuna]

San Jose has never been scenic (and I was born there) though the Valley used to be. The 17 mile drive along the Monterey Peninsula is certainly scenic as is CA 1 down into Big Sur Country. But that's heading away from SFO and Chico which is north of Sacramento which is another typical garbage dump of a CA city. One important thing, during the period from now into September, the Central Valley runs from toasty warm to microwave on HIGH HOT while SFO and the immediate coast tends to be in the 60's most of the time with fog and from the Gate north some fairly hefty winds in places. You need a warm jacket in those latter places. Alum Rock Park in SJC was a fairly nice Park when I was there last.

Steve

[aveosmth]

San Francisco---

Fisherman's Wharf is a must see...it is very beautiful and you will enjoy the view. If you have time, an Alcatraz tour is very enlightening and fun as well. There is all types of food to eat on the Wharf, and I would recommend Bubba Gump if you like you know what...(shrimp)

The Bay Bridge is kind of ho hum...but Golden Gate Park and the GG Bridge is amazing. The view is excellent and you can see the Presidio & Alcatraz from that point as well.

Downtown San Francisco is very nice, but parking is a NIGHTMARE!!! It is extremely expensive, so if possible compare lots before you park. The BART mass transit system in the Bay Area is good as well.

I preferred the Sonoma county wineries when I was in that area. One winery (Vianza) in particular was excellent, and they had a very good tour. Also, the Sonoma Cheese Factory is awesome!!! They have all kinds of cheese and other products, and everything is soooo good. I visit that place whenever I'm in the area.

Hope this helps & have fun!!!!!!!!