Looking for overnight destination suggestions

[dlang14]

Bay area Cobra folks.

Wife and I are looking to do one night with no kids next month she's suggested we take the Cobra, gotta love that!

Anyway we're only getting one night, so I'm looking for something not too terribly far (2-ish? hour drive) with good parking. Bed and Breakfast or other scenic/romanic destination would be ideal.

We've done a few spots up in Napa, and once in Monterey at a B&B. I'm game for one of those but thought I'd grab some ideas for something new and different.

Thanks

[LodiWino]

I would suggest a trip up to Amador County for wine tasting in
Shanandoah Valley (Renquist, Deaver, Cooper, Renwood, Karley), stay at the Imperial Hotel in Amador City, and dinner at the hotel or if you call right away, dinner at The Taste restaraunt in Plymouth.

Wild flowers should be spectacular!

Cheers...

[Dangerous Doug]

I'd say go to Carmel Valley. Most people go to Carmel-by-the-Sea, and it's cold and foggy at night. Carmel Valley is usually warmer, and there are some nice roads to drive back there. We've stayed at the Carmel Valley Lodge, which is decent.

Alternatively, what about San Luis Obispo? I went to Cal Poly and every time I go back to SLO I remember how much I loved it down there. Don't know of any places to stay, but dinner at the Madonna Inn is fabulous (the food, but the décor is quite, uh, pink...).

DD

[lippy]

Lots of ideas. Up North, Healdsburg is great, a place we really love. If you want to go south, The Inn at Spanish Bay (Carmel), Ventana, or Post Ranch Inn (both Big Sur) all are excellent, but pricey. Each is 2 hours from the city.

[Dangerous Doug]

Ah, if you're heading down 1 toward Big Sur, Post Ranch Inn is great for lunch or dinner. The views from the restaurant, with floor to ceiling windows, is fabulous. Very expensive, but worth the experience. Call ahead for reservations.

Ventana Inn is also awesome. The restaurant there is exquisite. Views are also awesome.

Damn! I think I need to take a trip!

DD

[HSVREDSLED]

We stayed at Pismo Beach on the way down Big Sur...nice place.

[dlang14]

Originally Posted by lippy

Post Ranch Inn (both Big Sur) all are excellent, but pricey.

Holy wow, just looked at the website for post ranch inn. incredible, however "
pricey" doesnt quite cover it. seems they have a 2 night min stay on weekends, and rooms are about $2,000/night, so your in it for almost $5K with taxes. Yikes!

Thanks for all the suggestions.

[scootter]

Hey Daryl,

My wife and I go down to Carmel often( now we bring our Lab since it is very dog friendly). We usually stay at a friends house right off Ocean St. We like it because there are many different places to eat and see and also walking distance to the beach. No need to drive once you are there. There are a couple of small Inn's and bed/breakfast along there.

Scott

[Rick Parker]

Morro Bay car show in couple of weeks.

[lippy]

We stayed at Ventana as a less expensive alternative to Post Ranch. It was still expensive though. But that was several years ago.

[RodKnock]

I'd leave the Cobra at home and stay in SF and eat at one of the dozens and dozens of outstanding restaurants.

[RodKnock]

Or take a ferry over to Sausalito and eat here or wherever: The Spinnaker on San Francisco Bay - Sausalito Restaurants, CA 94965

[sharpe 1]

(Gold country) great drive and lots of good eating.Wish I still lived out there so could enjoy the drive. (Highway 49 )sharpe 1

[Drake]

Take highway 25 south past Pinnacles National Park. You will end up in King City. From King City you can take Jolon Road down around Lake San Antonio and Lake Nacimiento. Eventually you'll end up in Paso Robles. I just did this drive last weekend and the flowers and colors are magnificent. In Paso Robles there are some nice B&B or the olde historic Inn on main street across from the city park.

[Bernica]

Head north to Healdsburg. Check out the Les Mars Hotel. Only about 16 rooms. Off the charts. Each room is decorated in a different "theme" and a perfect getaway for a couple. Just down the road from there is the Honor Mansion. Ask for "the cottage", a separate little house with lots of privacy. Also off the charts. Healdsburg's little town square is rated one of the top ones in the country and a great place to hang out at night. Lots of wineries to visit. My personal favorite Silver Oak is just up the highway. Have a great time!

[4pipes]

+1 for Honor Mansion. Fabulous B&B.

[289fia_cobra]

Did a search up in Marin County:
https://www.google.com/search?q=mari...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Seems to be in the 2-hour-ish range.

[Monster]

Daryl,

I like Drake's suggestion it's a nice overnighter drive. Hwy25 is a good alternative to 101. Paso Robles area has wineries and B&B's.
When I plan out our trips I try to use a 1hr rule as much as possible. That means I plan in a stop for every 1hr of driving. From Morgan Hill I would suggest 1/2hr to San Juan Batista cute town with a little history maybe a good breakfast stop. Then 1hr on Hwy25 (nice 2 lane "cobra road" then end up in King City for gas and a rest stop. On to Paso Robles. Once you get to Paso get the local winery map ( I liked Vineyard Rd nice ride and good wineries)
Spend the night at your B&B (I'm sure there are some very good dinner spots) then in the morning take Hwy46 to Cambria then Hwy1 back up the coast stopping wherever looks appealing maybe Nepenthe or Ragged Point for lunch or snack.

Have fun,
Mike