1. San Francisco
Online there are many great websites with detailed information on what to do and see in SF given your timeframe.
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Pier 39/Fisherman’s Wharf
- Ghirardelli Square
- Lombard Street
- Union Square
- Golden Gate Park
- The Presidio
- Haight-Ashbury
- Painted Ladies (townhomes from Full House)
- Baker Beach
- Lands End
- Coit Tower
2. Marin County
Marin County is on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge and offers great viewpoints of the bridge and SF. Sausalito is a cute little town to take a stroll and grab some ice cream. If you enjoy hiking, the Marin Headlands are a great place with many trails and breathtaking views.
3. Wine Country
If you have time, wine tasting in Napa is a great experience, but if you don’t have a day to spend there you can go wine tasting much closer and cheaper in Livermore! It’s like mini Napa and we recommend going to:
If you go to Napa there are hundreds of excellent wineries to choose from. If you continue North past Napa you will run into smaller quaint towns such as Yountville, Calistoga, and St. Helena, which are perfect to grab a bite to eat. One winery is actually a castle and very cool to visit. It’s called Castello di Amorosa.
4. Santa Cruz/Capitola
If you want to try surfing or get better views of the Pacific Ocean, you can visit Santa Cruz and Capitola. Santa Cruz has a beach boardwalk with rides and games. Capitola is more picturesque with a lot of great restaurants.
5. Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur
Monterey has an excellent aquarium worth going to if you head down that way. Carmel offers higher end shopping and restaurants and has a great beach. If you continue driving down Highway 1 after passing Monterrey and Carmel you’ll hit Big Sur, which offers breathtaking views of the coast and has an abundance of hiking trails.
5. Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe will be perfect in September since it should still be warm enough and the summer crowds will have subsided. If you like gambling and shows, we recommend staying in the south shore, which is much more lively. If you would like to be more in nature and stay in a cabin instead of a hotel we would recommend the north shore. If you stay on the north shore you can raft the Truckee River (if there is enough water in it in September). On the lake you can partake in a variety of water sports such as parasailing, jet skiing, paddle boarding, and more. You can also hike and mountain bike around the lake.
6. Yosemite
It’s one of California’s greatest treasures! It’s breathtaking and offers a multitude of hikes for all levels. Make sure to book a place to stay in advance, as it is a very popular place to visit. |