Things to do in SanFran/Napa in May - ironclm

frogonawire · April 14, 2004, 6:19pm

Just found out I get a free trip to the left coast the third weekend in May. Cathy, anyone else in the area - any suggestions on SanFran nightlife? Any bike shops that rent for the day - I have a free day on Friday in Napa, wouldn’t mind riding if possible. What’s the weather like in mid/late May?

afeltz · April 14, 2004, 8:46pm

There is a mountain bike race (NORBA National) up in Sonoma that weekend. If you’re a bike nerd like me, its fun to wathc all the pros and see their setups.

AF

jeffm · April 14, 2004, 9:28pm

If you manage to get a hold of a bike, find a map and pick a route that involves some combination of:

Mt Veeder Road, Dry Creek Road, Oakville Grade, Silverado Trail, Howell Mt Road (Wonderful climb or descent!), highway 128 past Lake Hennesey and up to Pope Valley, Ink Grade Road, Butts Canyon road, etc.

A good shorter route (guess of 30-40 miles) from Napa would be up Mt Veeder and down Dry Creek. For a longer day head up into pope valley past Lake Hennesey and come back Ink Grade to White Cottage to Howell Mountain.

The weather will most likely be perfect- it’s northern california, it’s always perfect here

You’ll have to ask someone else about the nightlife…

Hope you enjoy your trip

J

TriMike · April 14, 2004, 9:39pm

I live in Sonoma County and ride in Napa pretty regularly. I prefer Sonoma but Napa is nice too. If you are going to ride there, stay off the main highway and ride on Silverado Trail road. The two main roads, both run north-south up and down the valley but Silverado is much safer with less crazy wine tasting tourists and very wide shoulders. It is a very nice ride either direction and you can get some hill riding up to Angwin if you like. Our tri club regularly does a ride from Calistoga, down Silverado, up through Pope Valley, Ink grade road (a serious climb) and down back via Angwin. It is a beautiful ride. Weather in late May should be great with perhaps some fog in the morning and day time highs in the 70’s/80’s (no humidity though). I know there are bike tour companies but it probably isn’t what you are looking for (ie, comfort bikes at slow speed). Not sure about rentals.

No shortage of things to do in Sonoma or Napa with all the great wineries, restaurants and the Sonoma/Marin Coast. If the weather is nice I also like to take visitors to Point Reyes and hike out to the lighthouse. View is awesome. The Muir Woods are pretty cool as well if you haven’t been to Mt Tam. Check the web as there are a ton of tourist related sites out there. This is a major tourist destination. Have fun!

danielito · April 14, 2004, 9:58pm

Just be careful out there. Harvey Hereford of Santa Rosa is out on bail.

MtTamRnr · April 14, 2004, 10:09pm

The Giants are in town that weekend (I think night game on Fri, and days on Sat and Sun). SBC park is a great place to see a game, and right in downtown SF. The North Beach area of SF is great for night time. Good restaurants, and a lot of places to get a drink. www.redwoodtrails.com does great trail races almost every weekend that can be fun or competitive depending on what kind of mood your in. Mount Tam in Marin county can’t be beat for fun runs and exploring, and the whole coast line makes for incredible sightseeing, north or south…

Have fun, SF is a great town.

ironclm · April 15, 2004, 9:48pm

Lots of good suggestions so far. If you want to just wine taste in Napa or Sonoma, there are many good rides in Marin County, leaving from the Golden Gate Bridge. Let me know exact dates and you can hook up with us.

Nightlife: I have a number of restaurant recommendations, but give me some idea of what you are looking for. And what else you might be interested in. Not sure who rents bikes, but here are some places to try. * Big Swinging Bikes on Lombard Street, SF * Bikes and Boards on 4th st and harrison, sf * Adventure Bicycle Company

http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/XJ&sdn=sanfrancisco&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adve nturebike.com%2F

968 Columbus Avenue in North Beach, 771-8735