Where would you rather spend a long weekend?

[musey]

My brother has been working through a very rigorous graduate program in the San Francisco area for the last 2.5 years and is finally finishing up in a month

My parents want to take him somewhere for a long weekend following his graduation, and have asked me for recommendations as I'm the supposed California expert in the family (even though I'm really not at all). So I've tried to come up with a few options for him to choose from, and thought I'd ask the lovely PSers which one THEY would choose (or other)!

If you'd like to share your thoughts, I'd also love to hear which you think would be the better fit for this particular trip.

Most important is that he's a foodie, but I'd bet there'll be enough to keep him satisfied for 4ish days in any of these areas.

 

[zoebartlett]

Well, obviously this would depend on what your brother likes to do most. Personally, I'd choose gorgeous scenery over the chance to gamble, so I'd either choose the Napa area or Monterey/Big Sur. I've never been to any of the places you listed, so I can't comment on specific things to do in any of them. It sounds like fun though!

 

[musey]

Date: 5/4/2009 9:03:19 PM
Author: ZoeBartlett
Personally, I''d choose gorgeous scenery over the chance to gamble, so I''d either choose the Napa area or Monterey/Big Sur.

Me too

I''m going to do my best to try not to influence him, but I have a feeling he''ll prefer Napa over the other two (given that there are some fun restaurants to check out, which I would guess there would be but I don''t know as I''ve never been!).

He''s too laid back, I can never think of how to describe his specific interests other than that he''s into food

 

[Octavia]

Wine tasting in the Napa area, for sure. There''s plenty to do and it would be nice and relaxing after the grad program is finished!

 

[violet3]

Date: 5/4/2009 9:05:24 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/4/2009 9:03:19 PM
Author: ZoeBartlett
Personally, I''d choose gorgeous scenery over the chance to gamble, so I''d either choose the Napa area or Monterey/Big Sur.

Me too

I''m going to do my best to try not to influence him, but I have a feeling he''ll prefer Napa over the other two (given that there are some fun restaurants to check out, which I would guess there would be but I don''t know as I''ve never been!).

He''s too laid back, I can never think of how to describe his specific interests other than that he''s into food

i agree here - scenery, food, and wine all the way! Plus, i am trying to imagine how he''ll be feeling, and i would guess that he''ll be wanting to really relax once he''s done all the high stress of his program. For this particular reason alone, i would not choose vegas for myself - the energy there is not calming for me. i''d choose something soothing like wine country

 

[musey]

Date: 5/4/2009 9:12:44 PM
Author: Octavia
Wine tasting in the Napa area, for sure. There''s plenty to do and it would be nice and relaxing after the grad program is finished!

You sound like a possible Napa area expert

I may have to pick your brain a bit if this ends up being the destination.

Of course I personally am holding out some hope for Monterey/Big Sur. It looks so beautiful, and I''ve never been - which seems like a crime after living in southern california for almost 6 years. We may go for our first anniversary, though, that would be nice

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Is he a guy who likes relaxation? The Napa/Sonoma area is so beautiful, but Monterey/Big Sur is really nice, too. If I had a weekend to go back to CA, I''d spend it in Yosemite again, hands down.

 

[Octavia]

Date: 5/4/2009 9:24:20 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/4/2009 9:12:44 PM

Author: Octavia

Wine tasting in the Napa area, for sure. There's plenty to do and it would be nice and relaxing after the grad program is finished!

You sound like a possible Napa area expert

I may have to pick your brain a bit if this ends up being the destination.


Of course I personally am holding out some hope for Monterey/Big Sur. It looks so beautiful, and I've never been - which seems like a crime after living in southern california for almost 6 years. We may go for our first anniversary, though, that would be nice

Not an expert by any means, but FI and I spent a couple days in Napa/Sonoma and could have spent many, many more. I guess I should have asked whether your brother is outdoorsy, because if he's not I might change my recommendation -- but FI and I are, so it was perfect. We spent a day visiting a bunch of wineries, went to the the Jack London State Park, visited redwoods and beaches, and had other things on our list that we never got to do. I really want to go back for a longer stay, so I think I might be projecting.

I don't know that much about Monterey/Big Sur, but it sounds lovely and relaxing, too.

 

[musey]

Date: 5/4/2009 9:28:57 PM
Author: NewEnglandLady
Is he a guy who likes relaxation? The Napa/Sonoma area is so beautiful, but Monterey/Big Sur is really nice, too. If I had a weekend to go back to CA, I''d spend it in Yosemite again, hands down.

Definitely.

He''s been to Yosemite, but not Napa or Monterey. I''ve never been to any of them! Sheesh I need to get out more.

 

[iheartscience]

I voted Monterey/Big Sur because I don''t think I like wine enough to go to the Napa area!

(And Vegas does not do it for me...AT ALL!)

Congrats to your bro!

 

[musey]

Date: 5/4/2009 9:38:06 PM
Author: Octavia

Date: 5/4/2009 9:24:20 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/4/2009 9:12:44 PM
Author: Octavia
Wine tasting in the Napa area, for sure. There''s plenty to do and it would be nice and relaxing after the grad program is finished!

You sound like a possible Napa area expert

I may have to pick your brain a bit if this ends up being the destination.

Of course I personally am holding out some hope for Monterey/Big Sur. It looks so beautiful, and I''ve never been - which seems like a crime after living in southern california for almost 6 years. We may go for our first anniversary, though, that would be nice

Not an expert by any means, but FI and I spent a couple days in Napa/Sonoma and could have spent many, many more. I guess I should have asked whether your brother is outdoorsy, because if he''s not I might change my recommendation -- but FI and I are, so it was perfect. We spent a day visiting a bunch of wineries, went to the the Jack London State Park, visited redwoods and beaches, and had other things on our list that we never got to do. I really want to go back for a longer stay, so I think I might be projecting.

I don''t know that much about Monterey/Big Sur, but it sounds lovely and relaxing, too.

He is, but he''s happy with whatever. It''ll be interesting to see what he chooses when the decision''s left entirely up to him

One thing though is that he really appreciates natural beauty, so that''s why Monterey/Big Sur popped into my head for him. Napa Valley looks quite beautiful as well, just in a different way.


If I were advising him purely on his love for food, which direction would you all recommend?

 

[PaulaW]

I''m voting Monterey/Big Sur, then Napa, then Vegas!
I think a foodie would like any of those places! Congrats to your brother, what an accomplishment!

 

[musey]

Date: 5/4/2009 9:41:52 PM
Author: thing2of2
I voted Monterey/Big Sur because I don't think I like wine enough to go to the Napa area!

(And Vegas does not do it for me...AT ALL!)

Congrats to your bro!

Date: 5/4/2009 9:48:23 PM
Author: PaulaW
I'm voting Monterey/Big Sur, then Napa, then Vegas!

I think a foodie would like any of those places! Congrats to your brother, what an accomplishment!

That's about where I'm at

I'm not sure how into wine he is, which I suppose would strongly affect his preference. I'll just plan on being the designated driver if we end up there!


Thank you all for extending your congratulations, I am so proud of him!!

 

[VRBeauty]

I voted for Monterrey/Big Sur, though Napa is a close second. Plenty of fine dining and good wine in Monterey, I''m sure... but I have to admit that don''t usually dine on the high end. Beautiful scenery, 17-mile drive, Point Lobos State Park, hiking in Big Sur... ***sigh***

Do you get to tag along?

 

[musey]

Date: 5/4/2009 9:57:59 PM
Author: VRBeauty
I voted for Monterrey/Big Sur, though Napa is a close second. Plenty of fine dining and good wine in Monterey, I'm sure... but I have to admit that don't usually dine on the high end. Beautiful scenery, 17-mile drive, Point Lobos State Park, hiking in Big Sur... ***sigh***

Do you get to tag along?

Yep, thankfully!! I'm so excited. It'll be fun no matter what, but I am secretly pulling for Monterey...

I sent him a couple of youtube links to tourism videos to help him figure out what appeals to him.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

How fun for your brother- I"m sure he''s earned it!

Monterey/Carmel gets my vote. Note that I didn''t lump in Big Bur with Monterey/Carmel, as I haven''t made it down there yet. I believe it''s a good 45 minutes south.

Some of my favorites:

Hotel- Monterey Plaza Hotel
Restaurants- Fresh Cream & Passionfish
Sights- 17 mile drive, Point Lobos State Reserve, Monterey Aquarium

I''m a major foodie/wino, and like visiting NCal wine country. But I avoid Napa Valley- it''s gorgeous, and everyone should visit it at least once, but it''s overrated and touristy, IMHO. Sonoma, Carneros and Russian River Valley are more my speed.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Well, under "other", Mark Twain would probably put a vote in for Lake Tahoe.

(I'm afraid that I wouldn't be able to make any food rec's there b/c most of my trips have been ski-by-day-eat-communal-meals-at-cabin-with-big-group-of-friends by night, but I could probably get some rec's from a friend who owns a chalet up there if this becomes an option for you.) Stunning, relaxing, outdoorsy, with amusements across the border. If athletic pursuits suit his personality, there are quite a few adventure companies as well to get out and about in that beautiful, hilly area.

For a foodie, Napa/Sonoma seems a no-brainer. French Laundry in Yountville is consistently one of the best-rated restaurants in the United States (5-star Mobil, 3-star Guide Michelin, etc.) under the helm of Thomas Keller. He also owns a more informal bistro in town (Bouchon, I think?), which is fantastic as well. During the day, it's always fun to pack up a picnic basket at V. Sattui. Personally, I've always fount St. Helena charming little town, and Calistoga has some ramshackle spas with old-school mud baths that have been around over a hundred years. (If he's more of a posh/modern type, there's a great spa at a resort in the Sonoma valley that fits a more modern definition of a relaxing spa-- at the Fairmont, if I recall?) It's a fun way to spend a weekend, to be sure... assuming touring the wineries suits your (and your brother's) personality.

How exciting, Musey! Your whole family must be so proud of your brother's accomplishment, and you for being such a sweet and trusted daughter to help plan something great.

 

[mrscushion]

With the parents, Napa. So much great food and stunning scenery and quaint little inns. With friends or just you, I might have chosen Vegas instead.

 

[bee*]

Napa Valley sounds amazing so I think that''s where I''d pick. I''ve never been but if we ever go back to California again that''s where we''d like to head.

 

[elrohwen]

I voted for Napa, but Monterey is also a fantastic choice (I''m actually visiting both for my honeymoon, so I''m a bit biased). You can''t go wrong either way!

 

[geckodani]

LOL - I voted for Vegas, but that has more to do with me being a spaz than anything else. Napa sounds lovely as well.

 

[princesss]

Okay, I clicked "other" because I thought this was your brother that just got married and I was going to suggest Tahoe or Portland so that he could get some hiking/outdoorsy stuff in since he had to hmoon at Disney. But it seems like this is another brother, which totally changes my vote.

If he''s a foodie, I''d say Napa. There''s vineyard tours, the wine train, the CIA (I believe), and some fantabulous restaurants. Really fantastic for a foodie. According to most Californians I know, it''s a really pretty place (though having lived there as a kid and going back to visit in the summer from VA, I''ve gotta say it''s got nuthin on the East Coast

). So that gets my vote.

 

[LadyBlue]

Date: 5/5/2009 1:35:57 AM
Author: mscushion
With the parents, Napa. So much great food and stunning scenery and quaint little inns. With friends or just you, I might have chosen Vegas instead.

ditto

 

[AmberGretchen]

I voted for Napa area. I''ve lived in NorCal basically my whole life, and I love it up there. But I actually prefer Sonoma to Napa - prettier and way less commercial. It seems like a really good place to go with one''s parents, because there''s lots of activities to enjoy together, like wine tasting and beautiful hikes/bike rides, etc...

 

[Gypsy]

Lake Tahoe

 

[tigian]

Date: 5/4/2009 9:57:59 PM
Author: VRBeauty
I voted for Monterrey/Big Sur, though Napa is a close second. Plenty of fine dining and good wine in Monterey, I''m sure... but I have to admit that don''t usually dine on the high end. Beautiful scenery, 17-mile drive, Point Lobos State Park, hiking in Big Sur... ***sigh***


Do you get to tag along?

+1

 

[HollyS]

I''d choose Monterey/Big Sur for the art and the scenery. It is on my list of THINGS TO DO.

 

[elrohwen]

Date: 5/5/2009 11:55:52 AM
Author: AmberGretchen
I voted for Napa area. I''ve lived in NorCal basically my whole life, and I love it up there. But I actually prefer Sonoma to Napa - prettier and way less commercial. It seems like a really good place to go with one''s parents, because there''s lots of activities to enjoy together, like wine tasting and beautiful hikes/bike rides, etc...

Totally agree. Plus, if you look for coupons in your hotel, you can usually get free wine tastings or buy-one-get-one-free. In Napa it can easily be $30 a person at each place! I think Napa''s fun for a quick visit, but when I''m in the area I''ll be staying in Sonoma.

 

[musey]

Thank you all for your votes/feedback!

For those that suggested Sonoma vs. Napa, thank you for that - I will make sure to bring up the touristy/commercial issue. I've done wine tasting in Santa Barbara a couple of times, but that area is totally new to me.

Re: Lake Tahoe, my knowledge of the area is only as a winter sports destination, does it have a lot to offer during the summer months? I imagine hiking and boating, anything good for a foodie vs. the wine country or Monterey areas?

 

[Linda W]

Date: 5/5/2009 1:31:43 PM
Author: HollyS
I''d choose Monterey/Big Sur for the art and the scenery. It is on my list of THINGS TO DO.

I agree Holly. While DH and I have been to Napa many many times, there is nothing like Monterey/Carmel.

that area. Just gorgeous, beautiful and relaxing.



Gypsy. Lake Tahoe:

Another one of our very favorite places. Love how the little chipmunks come and beg for food.