Jet lag from yesterday’s trans-Pacific flight caught up to me and flat out kicked my butt. I was in good shape until about 1 o’clock and then the wheels came off the bus. I was able to gut it out without being “too” irritable. My goal was to make it to 10 pm before falling asleep; I made it to 9:20. In spite of the challenges we had a great day.
Notes, Highlights and Recommendations:
Ø For spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and a gorgeous drive, recommend Hwy 92 to Half Moon Bay and then turning north onto Highway 1 – Pacific Coast Highway. It took us about an hour to drive north into San Francisco from Half Moon Bay. You’ll know where to stop for fantastic photos. As a land-locked Midwesterner, I get excited when I see an ocean.
Ø No visit to San Francisco is complete without driving across the Golden Gate Bridge. The traffic was not too bad on a late, Monday morning. There are spots for photo opp’s on either end of the bridge. The route to the Golden Gate Bridge was well-marked and easy for us to follow.
Ø As you drive north over the Golden Gate Bridge I recommend that you continue on Hwy 101 for ~10 minutes and visit Muir Woods National Park. Here you can walk among the Giant Redwoods for a nominal fee of $7/adult. It’s difficult to describe the grandeur and majesty of the mightiest of trees. We took many photos but struggled to capture their scale. The photo of me below is as close as we got. If you look closely you can see me at the base of the tree in the center.
Ø Oxbow Market in Napa is a great place for a quick immersion into the food and wine culture of the Napa Valley. Know it sounds odd but my favorite dish was the “Nachos Not”. You can choose from fresh oysters, crepes to order, wood-fired artisan pizzas and Mexican fusion cuisine. For the latter, think roasted duck tacos.
Ø We’re very pleased with the room at the Napa River Inn. It’s an outstanding get-away in the heart of downtown Napa alongside the Napa River. The room is comfortable and spacious, plus Tracy is putting the corner fireplace to good use. Oh yeah, they will also deliver complimentary breakfast to your room each morning from Sweetie Pie’s.
A couple of other notes from our first experience to Napa and the Napa Valley:
Ø It can be overwhelming; there are 100’s of wineries to choose. You can realistically visit three to four per day (they generally close by 5 pm). Talk with friends and family who have visited for their recommendations. Cross that list against the type and style of wine that you like so you can narrow your focus. It’s a bit intimidating at first, but is better once you have had a tasting or two.
Ø The city of Napa is the largest city in the region with a population ~75,000. It’s also where most of the hotels in the region are located. It is NOT the scenic haven that is associated with the Napa Valley. For that you need to drive 15 – 20 minutes north along Hwy 29 toward St. Helena.
Ø Our first night was a sleepy, Monday in March. Many shops and restaurants were closed by 7 pm. You need to check ahead and plan accordingly.
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