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Ohhh, SF and wine counrty will be such a fun honeymoon! Tell us, have you ever been to San Francisco, and how long will you be in the area? I'd say just spend one day in wine country if you're limited for time, so you get at least 2 full days in SF. Also, what is you're price range for hotels, there's a huge range in the area? It will be easier to recommend a hotel if you give a dollar amount! You're going to have so much fun!
These are the top attractions I'd recommend to a first time visitor:
Pier 39/Fisherman's Warf
The Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Park (Exploratorium, de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences)
Lombard Street
Coit Tower
Painted Ladys (Victorian Homes)
Haight Ashbury
Union Square
We'd like to stay under $200 a night for hotel. We'll be in San Fran for 5 days. FI definently wants to see alcatraz and we want to spend 1 full day in Napa. Should we rent a car? Or just take a wine tour?
I have been to San Fran twice, but this will be FI's first time.
I love San Fran! I second the recommendation to go to Sausalito. Such great places to eat and it's just gorgeous. Depending on how many vineyards you want to go to and whatnot a wine tour might be good (those little tasting glasses can surprisingly hit you hard quickly), but wine tours are going to mostly take you to bigger named vineyards. If you're flexible on going somewhere other than Napa, I would recommend renting a car and hitting up the Russian River Valley in Sonoma. There are a lot of really nice boutique wineries where tastings are free (or the fee is waived if you buy something)..and for the most part you don't need appointments..just pull into their parking lots and walk into their tasting rooms. I would also recommend going to the California Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park too! It's newly renovated and even tho it's a museum it's such a great time (plus it'll be a bit chilly in March so it's a great day of indoor activity).
I third going to Sausalito, but be sure to go on a sunny day, as it can be pretty foggy and windy sometimes. There are some cute shops in the downtown area. You could also check out Muir Woods nearby if you're up for a little nature/hiking.
If you are going to rent a car, this is a sample driving tour I put together for my out of town guests, although it's really hard to see all of SF in a day, so it's great you guys have 5 days.
10:30am Leave San Mateo Marriott, drive to San Francisco
11:15am Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to viewpoint (Note that there is a toll coming into San Francisco if you drive across the Golden Gate Bridge)
12:00pm Lunch at the Park Chalet on edge of Golden Gate Park, across the street from Ocean Beach
1:00pm Drive through Golden Gate Park, then check out Haight Ashbury neighborhood
2:30pm Shopping in Union Square
5:00pm Drive down Lombard Street
6:00pm See the sea lions and shops at Pier 39
8:30pm Watch the sunset from Coit Tower
9:00pm Dinner in North Beach
10:30pm Drive back to the Marriott
Here is a link to the map and driving directions to take this tour.
Other variations:
- Before lunch at the Park Chalet, take a hike along the Land's End Trail, with beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge
- Instead of lunch at the Park Chalet, Pier 39 has lots of good seafood restaurants
- Skip shopping in Union Square and visit the Exploratorium, de Young or Cal Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park
- Before or after seeing Pier 39, go on an Alcatraz tour, or visit Ghirardelli Square (but only if you really like chocolate, there isn't that much else there)
- Our favorite restaurant in North Beach is the Stinking Rose, but there are lots of excellent restaurants in the historic neighborhood
Based on your budget, you might want to look at the Raddisson, Marriott, or the Hilton near Fisherman's Wharf. You'll be near a lot of the things you'd want to see, and the rates are pretty reasonable (all around $150 a night).
And if you do decide to go to Sonoma, I can highly recommend Healdsburg Area Winery Tours. We did a tour with them in June, and Gene was a great tour guide. He drove us to 7 different wineries in his SUV, told us all about the area, and seemed to know everyone, so at lots of places we got free wine tastings. It was only $99 each for the day, and well worth it to not have to worry about drinking and driving. And the Healdsburg area is lovely, with great restaurants and shopping downtown.
Whew! Hopefully this will help with your planning!
Oh, and one more thing, be sure to buy your Alcatraz tickets online ahead of time. We tried to take the FILs when they were in town, but the whole day was already sold out by the time we got there. I've still never been after living in the area almost 5 years! :(
Oooo!! Don't forget the Sunday morning market at the Embarcadero! One of the best farmers' markets I've been to, but it does get quite packed...
i absolutely love love LOVE SF. Have a great time. The other bees posted fab ideas. Did i mention i LOVE SF?
Go travelzoo.com. Since the economy soured, they've had great hotels in SF that are about $99 a night plus parking (which can be steep - ~$50). My fiance proposed there, and we stayed at the Sir Francis Drake hotel. So lovely!
Anyway, I suggest staying in Union Square (in the Top of the Mark/Sir Francis Drake/Macys area). Good luck on your planning!
have you seen the honeymoon in my hometown series? Peep toe did a great one http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/03/01/honeymoon-in-my-hometown-san-francisco/
I'm so glad you're doing this board! We're starting our honeymoon in SanFran and wine country before finishing up in San Diego. Can't wait to check out the suggestions here!
Peep Toe's post is awesome. Definitely eat at Slanted Door. It's yummy. If you like live music, Bimbo's 365 is a fun venue with some great bands. If you're looking for a crazy (and somewhat cheesy) experience, see if there's a Super Diamond show happening--they're hilariously wonderful.
Here's a tip: If you want to avoid sounding like you're from out of town, don't say "San Fran." Or, even worse, "Frisco." Say "San Francisco" (though those of us from the South Bay just call it "the city"). 
Spend a couple days in wine country - if you drink wine, if you become a member at one of them you can often get free tastings (of often better wine at others)! We're members at Ravenswood so we get to taste for free at Mondavi, Fransciscan and others!!
I never go to SF without getting a breadbowl chowder at Fisherman's Wharf.
Clam chowder at Fisherman's Wharf is a must. You can also walk down the piers to visit the Ferry Market Building - they have a farmer's market on Tuesdays, and more of a food-market on Thursdays. I always recommend Golden Gate Park.. Ocean Beach.. brunch at the Cliff House is pleasant.
In Napa, oh the things you could do. Sunday brunch at Boon Fly Cafe is the best. Lots of wineries from big corporate owned to small family owned. I like V. Sattui, and have been meaning to visit Mumm for their sparkling wines. We just visited Peju this weekend and had a pleasant experience there too.
My favorite Napa restaurant is Mustard's Grill, but we just tried Bistro Jeanty and it was delicious - very rich food. I also recommend Don Giovanni, and my FI recommends Rutherfood Grill.
For less fancy eating in Napa, there is Buster's Southern BBQ in Calistoga (it's the best when Buster is there himself grilling), and Taylor's Automatic Refresher for really delicious burger&fries (they are located in St. Helena, but also have a location in SF at the Ferry Market Building).
We just went on a walking chocolate tour by Gourmet Walks. It was awesome! They have other walking tours as well, which I am sure are fun.
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Hi Ladies!
My FI and I have decided to spend a few days in SanFran and Napa for our honeymoon in March.
What are some good places to stay and things to do while we are there? We'd like a nice, but not overly expensive hotel that is close to shopping/eating/siteseeing.
Any good wine tours you would recommend?
I'd love any advice from you local Bees!
Thank you!!