I have a gig in Napa this weekend and we are flying up Friday morning which means we will have time to kill Friday night and Saturday afternoon. I know about the vineyards, but gently sipping wine doesn't sound like a fun activity for a bunch of guys who are away from their wives for the weekend. Is Napa close enough to San Francisco to see some sights there? Any suggestions? Alcohol is really the only requirement for whatever we do.
I was there with my girlfriend some months ago. Found it rather boring, to be honest. We did visit two wineries where we got private tastings (Hess Collection and Opus One). I would spend Friday evening in San Francisco, if I were you.
Dude - enjoy the wine. There are hot air balloon trips, there are wine trains, spas, lots of stuff to do, and it is only 1 hour north of San Fran if you want to hit the boardwalk etc. DD
I would definitely hit up SF one night. Napa probably has some really nice bike trails and hiking outdoor type activities during the day. In the evening though i think SF is the spot to be at.
Sounds like a fun weekend - if I'm with my wife. With a bunch of guys (who are all straight)? Probably not so much. Assuming we drive to SF Friday night, where would we find the most live music?
Very good mountain biking in the area. Good fishing up a bit north (Russian River). Sausalito (a bit south, before you hit the Golden Gate Bridge) has good restaurants.
I go a couple of times a year. Usually, I enjoy the Mondavi Winery and V. Sattui Winery a lot. There's some excellent restaurants around, ask for recommendations. I'm actually heading up there this weekend for my gf's birthday. Staying at the Andaz hotel and do a little winery hopping. It's a fun way to spend the day... Hoping to go to http://www.yaofamilywines.com for the first time.
Guys, quit suggesting wineries. Obviously, drinking wine with guy friends is one step away from a circle jerk back at the hotel.
in Napa, you drink at wineries from 10 when they open to 4 when they close, then go take a nap, then go out for some world class food. I don't even drink wine usually and I had a great time, but it's like Vegas, 48 hours is plenty.
Weather is going to be damn nice here this weekend - like 80 degrees. Personally, spending 3 hours round trip driving between Napa and the city doesn't sound like a good use of time. Petaluma - Lagunitas brewery is here - nice tour if you don't want to go all the way up to Santa Rosa for Russian River (RR gets very packed btw) Oxbow Market in Napa is a pretty cool food court area for lunch
well, I'm a wine lover so Napa is ALWAYS on my list. The rib and I will visit 6-7 wineries per day for several days in a row. It's quite possibly my favorite "regular" vacation spot. Then the FOOD!! French Laundry, Red, Bottega (sp?), Travigna (sp?) and many other truly exceptional world class restaurants. other than that I cannot help you. I can't stand going into San Francisco. Once you hit the sights once, it loses interest quickly.
Napa is kind of boring, and I actually like the wineries in Sonoma much better. You are close enough to go to Sonoma. Wine tasting even with a group of guys can be fun. In Sideways those guys went wine tasting for a bachelor party. It isn't just a tame with the wife thing. There are some fantastic restaurants in the area. Eating a good meal will cost a bit, but it's a blast and an experience worth indulging in when the opportunity presents itself. San Francisco is fun. There are a ton of places for music there. I'm sure you're aware of Amoeba music, because it's kind of a chain, but they have great record selection CD's as well as vinyl. And they have some hard to get stuff from many genres. For live music... It's been a while since I've been there, but it depends on who's playing. The independent might be worth checking out, Cafe du Nord, or Hemlock as well.
Hot air balloon ride and wine/cheese tasting at sunset with the boys. Make sure for everyone to sign a no homo contract before leaving.
