Heading out to California in a couple weeks

I don't know about restaurants, but the Sequoia National Park with giant General Sherman tree is southeast of SF.  The Calaveras Big Tree State Park is pretty much east of SF.  Otherwise, you would have to go to northern California to see redwoods.  Maybe Satori could chime in on this. 

If you're planning on going to San Francisco from Napa Valley, you may want to stop off at Muir Woods National Monument (warning: the Park Service couldn't be bothered to resize one of the pictures, so you've got a needless 10MB picture of a shuttle bus).

QuietOne posted:

Son is getting married in the Napa Valley. My little group is staying in Petaluma as a base for going out doing the tourist stuff. Anyone know where the closest redwoods are? Seeing those is on a bucket list. (Not mine.)

San Francisco - apparently have to do the Fisherman's Wharf thing. Is there any little restaurant nearby that serves decent food and won't cost an arm and a leg? (Just maybe an arm?)

If all goes as planned, I will fulfill one item on my bucket list - riding horseback along the beach. Bodega Bay.

I told the daughter to not forget to leave time to go to a wedding. It's a "destination" wedding so no, the son doesn't live in California.

How are the lines at SFO?

Redwoods? Redwood trees are everywhere in California. I'm assuming you mean the Giant Sequoia's? Here are some places to try Muir Woods included.

Sequoia National Park is the place to go to see the best BIG TREES

Restaurants near Fishermans Wharf. 2 places that are "touristy" (but savvy locals  go during the off-season) are Aliotos (Right across the street from the famous Fishermans Wharf sign) & Scoma's 1 block away from the sign & across a bridge. Scomas is a Hidden Gem. Waxman's is located in Ghirardelli Square 1/2 mile away & Jonathan Waxman himself is there a lot.

Lines at SFO...Ummm yeah. Hopefully you have TSA pre-check or get there 2 hours early to give yourself plenty of time

Yep, sequoia trees are more impressive, but not as tall.  Rockefeller Redwood Grove is my favorite.  Unfortunately it is just north of Garberville in Southern Humboldt, which means about 4 hours to get there from Petaluma.  Some of the tallest trees in the world are found there and some of the redwoods have very wide trunks - almost sequoia wide.  As a bonus, you just might see bigfoot.  I find drinking IPAs increases one 's chances for a big foot sighting. 

Muir Woods (tennis shoes. Go walking) Fog Harbor Fish House on Pier 39 (sit at the bar and wait for a window seat) In n Out burger in Napa. Double Double animal style (do not miss this)  V. Sattui Winery in St Halena. Grab a bottle, some salumi, fine cheese, and a bench on the grass and enjoy the sun. 

Ceremony at St. Francis Winery and the reception meal (Pizza and wine tasting) at VJB Vineyards & Cellars. Neither one means anything to me. I won't be able to have a good Oktoberfest brew at either one.

ChilliJon posted:

 and a bench on the grass and enjoy the sun. 

When I 1st read this i thought it said 'a bunch of grass".  I could just see Q O with a bunch of grass.     

Time for some eye glasses, Ammo.

Beautiful little ceremony in a room at the St. Francis winery, in front of a fireplace. Rain prevented the outdoor version. Apparently the drought decided to end when it heard we were coming. Wine tasting was fun.  The pizza was good. Found a little hole-in-the-mall Chinese place. Everything fresh and hand made. Aaack...now I'm spoiled. Highway 1 an interesting drive. Stopped at a place that was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Food was good. Would make the southern Californians cringe. Had some fantastic clam chowder, BBQ oysters and truffled garlic fries at Nick's Cove. Wasn't able to work out the trail ride on the beach but did manage a short ride on a late sunny afternoon. I'm not a Fisherman's Wharf person. Saw redwoods at that Armstrong Redwoods State Park. Just for a few minutes because it was getting late and it was raining. Again.

Seriously, San Francisco, you really need to work on those tolls!!! Install an iPass like Illinois or something!!! 

Love Nicks. Seared Hawaiian tuna is legendary. Wife's family had a place in Tomales Bay. Spent a couple Thanksgiving dinners there. Last one was the Leon Lett failed recovery against Miami. Whole Bodega Bay Area is great. 

Just watch out for the birds.

There were a couple of turkey buzzards flying around during the trail ride (I did not cooperate. ) but otherwise didn't notice any others. Our trail guide mentioned the birds. So did my visitor's guide. So...it's a good thing I watched that movie oh so many years ago so I would know what everyone is talking about.