re: San Francisco and Wine Country

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I would add that you should really consider the Ferry building on Thursday for lunch or Saturday all day. Both days there is a ton of great food

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This x1000. Best thing we did on our trip.

Hirsch Vineyards is a must if you can gain access.

Ask to see the Old Dodge ;)

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Bistro Jeanty

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i ate there based on a friend's recommendation. i didn't love it as much as he did. it seemed to be mostly hearty stews and such. i may have just ordered the wrong thing. you have to love living in yountville though. we biked all around that town. love that place

Yeah coolpapa, took the girlfriend (who's a pastry chef) to Bottegga. We weren't too impressed with the menu. Nothing jumped out at us to order. Hard part is, one of my roommates boyfriend is a waiter there. My girlfriend has a friend from the CIA who called it "the Macaroni Grill of the Napa Valley". She tells me this the next day, and we laughed thinking that it was accurate.

Find DeanintheYay's write up that's posted around here somewhere. Great write up on dining and bars in San Fran (Some of my favorites where Brany-Ho's, Stinking Rose, and Tunnel Top bar for drinks. As far as hotels go, Union Square area is nice as is several spots close to the bay. It's not a big deal really as the city is 7 miles by 7 miles so a cab can get you places fairly quickly.

Also, I'd highly recommend staying in Healdsburg in Sonoma county over Napa. It's less touristy and less pricey. We stayed at the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza. Healdburg has an neat town square with live music every tuesday night.

As far as winery tours, Gene Warren is an excellent guide in the Healdsburg and Russian River area. For one hundered per person he drives you around to various wineries. You can choose the wineries or tell him what wines you like and he'll pick (I'd recommend this). Our favorite wineries where Robert Young, deLormiere (sp?), and hanna.

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I would check out this guy below if you are looking to do a tour where you don't have to drive. He was a very good guide for my fiancee and I. Very knowledgeable and took us to places where there was no tasting fees and to a place where we could tour the winery. The tour was personalized to the types of wines we enjoyed most. He also sent us an email at the end of the day recapping what wines we enjoyed and from what place.

Gene & Debbie Warren, Proprietors.
Healdsburg Area Winery Tours
"A personal wine tour driver & guide service"
LINK
1 888 633-6090 707 433-6090

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Many thanks for pointing to board to Gene. My fiance and I used him when we where out in SF for 4th of July and we loved it. Great tour and I like that he tends to go to smaller wineries.

Leaving for Santa Monica on Friday. Could I get some suggestions for that area? First time on the West Coast.

Nearby wineries...

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Alma Rosa Winery

Carina Cellars

Firestone Vineyards

Foley Estates

Koehler

Kalyra Winery

Lafond Winery

Lucas & Lewellen

Lincourt Vineyards

Scott Cellars

Mandolina
Palmina Winery

Presidio

Rusack

Shoestring Winery

Sort This Out Cellars

Sogno del Fiore*

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Leaving for Santa Monica on Friday. Could I get some suggestions for that area? First time on the West Coast.

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I agree with Pangloss1010 about Foley. Good stuff.

I am not a huge fan of Firestone for some reason although others really like it.

Kalyra is a fun place and their Syrah and Shiraz are great, mostly due to their winemaker being from Australia. Also, it is the place where SIDEWAYS was filmed, if you are a fan of such things.

I mentioned in L.A. Tiger's Santa Barbara wine country thread that I was a big fan of Rideau Vineyards. Started by a New Oreleanian.

I noticed that V DAY dinner. I tried some of their food once when I was there and was impressed. Regarding the price, if its a special trip then yeah its worth it. I normally cook at home for V Day, but that's just me.

Not sure if it's been mentioned yet but you MUST go to Kuleto Estate. The winery is located in Saint Helena, the drive is very enjoyable and the Estate is absolutely incredible. You must call ahead and get a reservation though. You won't be disappointed!