Muir Woods National Monument, thirty minutes or so north of San Francisco, is an absolute must on any visit to the Bay Area. The sheer scale of the redwood trees, some of which are over a thousand years old, is almost overwhelming. Film fans will also recognise it as one of the locations used by Alfred Hitchcock in 'Vertigo'.

Mill Valley, CA 94941;
tel: (415)388-7059;
www.visitmuirwoods.com

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If you can afford it then I recommend taking a helicopter ride over the bay. Amazing views. Also, hire a car and travel around the bay area and south to Carmel and the beaches there. Lovely!

www.sfhelicoptertours.com

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Nearest redwood forest to SF. Deeply spiritual place - which gives a taste of what the coastal forest must have been like before the loggers got working. The trip includes crossing the Golden Gate bridge and returning by ferry from the pretty town of Sausalito.

There are lots of tour companies that go there but they charge a lot of money and give you almost no time. It is accessible by public transport and the best parts of the park can be see on this round trip walk.

Saturdays in summer:
Golden gate bus 10/70/80 (before 9.57) from the Civic Centre to Marin City then catch bus 63 to Muir Woods (leaves Marin at 10.41). Arrives at Mountain Home Inn 11.07. Walk through the forest to the visitor centre (downhill). Return from Pan Toll ranger station or Bootjack (mostly uphill but not steep) 3.29 (last bus to catch a ferry 5.24). Arrive Marin 4.04, bus 22 to Sausalito ferry leaves 4.09. Ferry from Sausalito 6.10 (or at 4.45). Arrive SF 6.40 (or 5.15). Last ferry at 6.25 from blue & gold terminal el portal east of Bridgeway.

For more information on how to get to Muir Woods see www.nps.gov/muwo/pphtml/planyourvisit.html

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A beautiful winery, off the beaten track in Sonoma Valley, which is a short (2-3 hour) drive from San Francisco. The reason I choose this winery over all the others is that they are the only winery that I know of that pairs hors d'oeuvres with each wine you taste. The taste of the food really brings out the flavours of the wines, making for an enhanced wine-tasting experience. The winery is also near the gorgeous Alexander Valley, famous for its Zinfandels and its stunning scenery, much more rustic and picturesque than commercial Napa Valley.

I suggest either hiring a car in SF and spending a day driving around the area, or booking yourself onto a wine-tasting tour/limousine, obviously allowing you to sample more of the region's produce.

www.jwine.com

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Out of town (an hour, maybe two) near the Napa Valley. Fantastic, friendly micro-brewery, really good restaurant plus reasonably priced and comfortable hotel.

1250 Lincoln Ave, Calistoga, CA 94515;
tel: (707) 942 4101; fax: (707) 942 4914; email: Info@CalistogaInn.com;
www.calistogainn.com

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